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  • Win a Nintendo 3DS

    Win a Nintendo 3DS! (COMPETITION NOW CLOSED)

    In celebration of the Nintendo 3DS release, NTSC-uk is offering one lucky reader the chance to win a 3DS at UK launch, courtesy of Argos. Have a read through the hype and then scroll to the bottom to see how to enter this great competition.

    When news of the 3DS first surfaced (25/3/2010), with promises of 3D without glasses, the reception on ntsc-uk ranged from incredulity to excitement. "This can't be an April's fool can it?" queried Mofo2. With the news slipping out at the end of March in a very low key manner, it certainly could have been. Proving that sarcasm is alive and well, EvilBoris retorted "The tech is ideal for a handheld and very cheap too!" Some responded to the initial reports with positivity such as spagmasterswift "Give me Advance Wars in 3D and I'll get one.", whilst others were more muted such as Dogg Thang "Personally, all I really want from a new DS is far higher resolution and more power. The same. Only better. But I'll take 3D if they give it to me and I don't have to wear giant stupid glasses on the bus. Or blow into the mic."




    With nine months to release, supposed analysts started spouting predictions on the price of the new device. NTSC-uk pundits waded in. "Personally I'm gonna go with a prediction of £149.99. No way they'll stack it at higher than the Wii." offered crazytaxinext. Junko got the closest with the middleground "£199". spagmasterswift went the other way "For a 3D portable games device which is also a 3D Camera and 3D film player my monies on it being £249.99".

    In amongst all the usual banter asking when the 3DSiXLAdvanceLite will be out, there is some genuine excitement. teddymeow spewed "Just watched the SSFIV trailer and it looks amazing. If the delay between JPN and Euro machines is only a month then I'll wait for the Euro one. Especially now with the GBA VC confirmed!" and Shakey Jake33 offered "Damn you Capcom. ...I can't resist a new Resident Evil game". Soundwave echoed "I was quite happy to let this pass me by but now I've seen those vids I may have to make a purchase". toythatkills went one step further "Can't afford this. Do not want. [No. Wait.] Tales of the Abyss 3DS? I'll sell a kidney."

    Being a site that has championed importing and region-freeness since 2002, it's a little disappointing that cartridge region locking has been confirmed, and the hope is that Nintendo will leave the decision to the publishers who won't lock too many games. It's also fairly likely that the marketplaces will be regionally locked like the Wii and with the increasing prevelance of downloadable content, it's an area we will be keeping a close eye on. With no Japan exclusive launch games, we expect most NTSC-uk gamers will go for the UK version, at least until the pros and cons of importing become clear.

    Hands-On
    NTSC-uk writer Matt Allen has some hands-on impressions from a London demo event:

    Few would argue that Nintendo has been the dominant force in the handheld market for the last twenty years. However with the rise of phone devices that can also play games, along with Sony's upcoming NGP, the next generation is arguably going to be one of the most interesting in a while. Regardless of the platform itself, then what makes or breaks a format are the games that become available for it, and rest assured, the Nintendo 3DS will be fully supported by all the major third party publishers.

    With better screens, improved CPUs, and the addition of an analog nub to name but three features, the Nintendo 3DS will offer a better gaming experience compared to its predecessor, and still allow you to play original DS games on it. Like any Nintendo device it fits snugly into your hands, allowing easy access to all buttons, and does not require much effort to hold when using the stylus. In fact, the device is no bigger than the current DSi handhelds, demonstrating how much can be packed into such a small space.

    However the 3D effect is the real talking point about the device even though, oddly, it's potentially one of the least intrusive parts of the device. Confused? Well here comes the science bit, concentrate. Unlike most other 3D effects generated by the cinema or TVs, the form used by the 3DS sinks into the screen rather than popping out from it. It also means that the perception of depth and complexity of use vary from game to game, and is also based upon the intensity chosen. A slider on the right side of the top screen allows you to choose anywhere between disabling the 3D and maximum strength. Each user will have their own "sweet spot" where the 3D effect works perfectly without overpowering the eyes; the only real negative being that said ideal zone can be somewhat small in range, although this is apparently more due to the screens Nintendo are using than limitations with the concept itself.

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    What you get out of the experience is entirely down to the game itself. Super Monkeyball appeared to warrant very little need for it to be utilised. Rabbids In Time thoroughly enhanced the parallax scrolling effect employed. For games such as Zelda or RE:Mercenaries though, it provided a much more concrete depth illusion to the scenery, fooling your eyes into thinking you were almost standing right there with Link or Chris Redfield. It is a subtle yet beautiful effect, and one that your brain does not reject as something alien or unfamiliar.

    Some people may scream gimmick, but couldn't much of current 3D technology be labelled similarly? For want of a better word, the 3DS will allow games to be more visually immersive, with the improved grunt under the hood directly allowing for better graphics and gameplay. All that and everything the current DSi provides and more.

    Explanations are one thing though. Like the Matrix, the best advice to offer is that words are insufficient to adequately describe what you may get from the 3DS; you have to experience it for yourself instead. So it is just as well Nintendo has been organising demonstration sessions around the country during February and providing units to stores for people to try. Even something as simple as the Faceraiders mini game is a perfect demonstration that the 3D technology does work.

    The next 12-18 months could be a very exciting time indeed... and you could be part of it.

    The Competition (COMPETITION NOW CLOSED)
    To celebrate the launch of a new handheld, NTSC-uk.com, in conjunction with Argos, is giving you the chance to win a New Nintendo 3DS.

    One lucky reader will win this great prize. To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is ENTER COMPETITION by signing in on our forum and send a forum message to charlesr with the answer to the question below.
    (New users will need to register on the forum first)

    COMPETITION CLOSES AT 18:00 ON MARCH 23rd 2011
    The question: What does the Nintendo 3DS need to provide 3D visuals?:
    Anaglyphic glasses.
    Active shutter glasses.
    Nothing. It's all built into the screen!


    This prize has been supplied courtesy of Argos, who provide a wide range of Nintendo 3DS consoles, accessories and 3DS games. Competition prizes will be delivered within 28 days of the competition closing and may vary from the prizes described.

    Terms and Conditions
    The NTSC-UK.com prize competition (the 'Competition') is subject to the following conditions. The Competition is open to UK residents who are 18 or over, who register for the forum and send a private message containing the correct answer to the relevant question to Charlesr, (the 'Moderator'). Some free email providers such as gmail are banned from the forum due to the amount of spam signups. If you encounter this message, please use your ISP email instead.
    The Competition is to be held between 1st March 2011 and 23rd March 2011 throughout the United Kingdom only. By entering the Competition the entrant agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
    The Forum collects personal data from all registrants ('Users') in order to work efficiently.
    For the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1998 the Moderator is the Data Controller for the Competition. Users' personal data will not be transferred to entities other than the Forum, the Moderator or outside of the EEA. The Competition requires Users to consent to the Moderator holding their personal data in order to be eligible for the Competition.
    Users will be required to comply with the rules set out on this page in order to enter the Competition. Users may only submit one entry to the Competition and multiple entries may result in a User's disqualification. Automated entries, bulk entries or third party entries will be disqualified. The Moderator accepts no liability for lost, damaged or incomplete entries and all such entries will be deemed invalid.
    Users will be notified if they have won, by private message on the Forum.
    The Competition winner ('Winner') will be selected at random from a pool of all Users who successfully answer the Competition question.

    The Prizes
    The prize is a Nintendo 3DS (colour and exact model subject to change), provided by Argos (the 'Prize').
    Once the Winner has been selected, the Moderator will contact the Winner by private message (within 7 days of the closing date of the Competition) to arrange for shipping (to UK destinations only) and exact Prize specifications.
    If the Winner does not respond within 14 days from being contacted by the Moderator they will forfeit the Prize and another Winner will be selected from the pool of successful Users.
    The Moderator reserves the right alter, remove, adjust, substitute, cancel, terminate or change any part of the Competition or the Prize without notice and for any reason in its absolute discretion.

    General
    Employees of the Moderator, agents or anyone connected with the promotion including their families or employees are not eligible to take part in the Competition.
    It is each Winner's responsibility to provide correct information to the Moderator and the Moderator accepts no liability for incorrect information, technical fault and proof of entry is not proof of receipt.
    The Moderator's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.
    The Moderator will not be liable if the Prize does not reach the Winner for any reason outside of the Moderator's control or if the Prize is damaged in transit.
    The Prize is non-transferrable, non-negotiable and there is no cash alternative. Where relevant all applicable taxes or delivery surcharges payable will be the responsibility of the Winner.
    Other than for death or personal injury arising through negligence the Moderator excludes all liability for any loss, damage, costs or expenses (whether direct or indirect and however caused) in connection with the Competition and any aspect of the Prize.
    Winners may be required to take part in publicity (including photographs). The Winners' name and county may be disclosed in advertising material.
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