Much like the DSi that came before it, Nintendo's 3DS is more than just a game machine, coming pre-installed with a number of interesting applications. But where the DSi didn't have much besides an internet browser, camera and shop, the 3DS is set to expand on this even further, with several applications - and even a few of games - ready to run, straight out of the box.
So that's where my keys went...
Augmented Reality (AR) Games
Augmented Reality games are designed to let you see the world in a whole different way. Using your real life surroundings, with computer-generated things added to them, they're a strange way to turn your real life surroundings into part of a game world. The 3DS comes bundled with six Augmented Reality cards - one of which has a familiar-looking yellow block with a question mark on - which trigger the Augmented Reality software. All you'll need to do is point your 3DS camera at it, and the card will come to life before your eyes, transforming your desk into a virtual shooting range, and who knows what else.
Scary...
Face Raiders
Continuing the Augmented Reality theme comes Face Raiders - ever wondered what it's like to be marauded by flying versions of your friends' faces? Us neither, but we needn't to wonder any longer, as this is exactly what Face Raiders does. All you have to do is take a photo of your next victim - I mean friend - and get ready to shoot at them as they fly towards you, while you physically rotate on the spot to blast the sneaky ones that try to creep up behind you.
How much more strokable will Tiddles look in 3D?
Nintendo 3DS Camera
A popular feature of the DSi (with us, anyway) returns - but this time round you can take embarrassing photos of your friends and family in 3D! Hopefully (or maybe not so hopefully, depending on the picture) the ability to upload photos to Facebook will reamin, although how you'll be able to appreciate the 3-dimensional awesomeness on a 2D screen, I don't know...
Tired of birds stealing your recordings?
Nintendo 3DS Sound
A souped-up version of the program on the DSi, the 3DS' sound program not only lets you record and mess with sounds recorded from the microphone, but will also apparently utilise StreetPass to let you see the popularity of compositions created by people you walk past in the street - suggesting there'll be some sort of central, online recordings database. It's all a bit confusing - at least until we get the chance to try it out for ourselves - but what isn't confusing is the rumour that the 3DS will let you play MP3s, letting you use it as a giant, 3D iPod.
Walking in the future.
Activity Log
As a clever way of persuading you to keep your 3DS on you at all times, Nintendo have decided that the 3DS should also work as a pedometer. The Activity Log is where you can check how many steps you've done during the day, as well as your game stats and what you've been playing recently. In an even more interesting twist, by walking around in real life, you'll earn "Game Coins" or "Play Coins" (we're unsure what they'll be called in the UK, which you'll then be able to spend to unlock items in new games. One of the first games to use this is LEGO Star Wars III - there's a bit more on that here.
It's-a me-a, (old school) Mario!
Nintendo E-Shop
Although it may not be there on launch day (it's rumoured the E-Shop will be added via a May software update) the 3DS' answer to the Wii Shop Channel, the disappointingly blandly named Nintendo E-Shop, will have a similar Virtual Console to the Wii, where you can download old Game Boy and Game Boy Colour games, such as Super Mario Land and The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. Here's hoping they'll stick a version of Kirby: Tilt 'n' Tumble that'll use the tilt sensors in the 3DS to navigate Kirby round the course to the goal. Hey, we can dream...
Not hairy enough.
Mii Maker
Working in a similar way to the Mii Channel on the Wii, the 3DS' Mii Maker will let you make a little digital representation of yourself, but with one crucial difference - rather than having to faff around in the menus, you can fast track the creation process by taking a picture of yourself using the built-in camera, and the console will Mii-ise you automatically. What it comes up with won't be set in stone though, as you can then edit it and add a moustache, glasses or whatever, if you so desire.
My hair's blonde. Not brown. Boooo.
StreetPass Mii Plaza
A bit like the the Mii Plaza on the Wii, the StreetPass Mii Plaza is where the Miis of all the people you've walked past during the day will gather. Here you'll be able to see their Mii, what country they're from, and their most recently played game. The Miis act like a sort of 'profile' system - similar to Xbox gamercards, but for concerned parents, you can always block your child's 3DS from using StreetPass, therefore preventing any communication with strangers.
So there you go - loads of little applications to keep you busy before you even get to playing your 3DS games. When we were at the Discover Nintendo 3DS event in Amsterdam, we got to have a little go with some of these applications - so stay tuned, as we'll be writing up our thoughts on them soon. As for news on the 3DS, there's sure to be loads coming out before it's launch on the 25th March, so keep checking back.
