The hype for the 3DS has been nonstop awesome since its showcase preview back at E3 2010. If you’ve been following the news on this brand new handheld by Nintendo, then it is easy to see the reasons why it is awesome. True there were many people who were skeptical but Nintendo was able to deliver their product in they end. However, this delivery doesn’t truly mean that the true release will be just as good.

...

So being first has its advantages but also its setbacks. What does Nintendo have on thee back of the 3DS now that they have set themselves as the first handheld to incorporate 3D with new technology and a lineup and support that may give it some muster? Still below are the biggest reasons in where the 3DS might fall from its white horse and end up blood in the water.

________________________________

New Technology Over the Long Run – The new technology is probably the biggest thing to mention on this handheld for this is the first 3D device that doesn’t use the 3D glasses. Instead there is a screen on the 3DS that gives the optical illusion of 3D thus Nintendo put the 3D on the screen. Also, this handheld has motion controls and motion oscillators for movement-based games. Now through the bells and whistles of the first impression, how will this technology last in the long run? Will there be leaps and bounds in the tech thus making this handheld obsolete quicker than expected? Will the integrity of the tech be up to par? Good example of the integrity of tech would be exampled with the first models of the X360. The red ring of death was something that has been dealt with causing anger and dismay for many years. It wasn’t until now Microsoft improved on the system to prevent the red ring of death.

Also, speaking of obsolete, Nintendo is very notorious for being the ones making their systems obsolete and the lineup for the Nintendo DS is a good example. There is the original Nintendo DS, then the Nintendo DS Lite, then the Nintendo DSi, then the Nintendo DSXL. The handheld itself is decent in age as in it is six years old but four (not including the upcoming 3DS) improvements on the original in that time? Not even the PSP has gone through many major incarnations. True they do different models but each model still does what the original does with improvements that don’t null and void the first.

The Price is Wrong – This is a huge target for Nintendo and the 3DS. Since the next installment in the DS lineup is mostly new technology, what will the price be? Oscillators and oscilloscopes are expensive tech and unlike most social technology, this tech is more advanced or daresay technology only technicians would mess with and smaller tech on technician’s technology gets more expensive. The DS lineup is notably smaller than the PSP not including the DSXL version. This is going to be where all eyes might be since everyone wants to know the price of anything before they buy. Going back to the Sega Saturn ordeal, all it took for their epic fail was a price difference of about $100 from the Sony Playstation. $100 is not a lot of money but makes a huge impact when it comes to sales. So in theory and prediction, this handheld could be more expensive than its predecessors all because of all the luster it has.

In another turnabout, Nintendo could just suck it up and make it a price that everyone would understand and like. However, a price that everyone in the video gaming community likes may be the slow death or a disease for the company itself. Best example will be the Sony Playstation 3. People probably did not realize this but the old FAT PS3s when their price was dropped was excellent for sales but it was bad for Sony in general when it comes to profit. Each system Sony sold was actually a loss since it cost more money to make the old FAT PS3s than the price it was at during the time. Only now is Sony starting to really see a profit on the PS3 thanks to the remodeling to the slimmer and lighter version of the PS3. But a las, before all of that, Sony nearly lost five years worth of profit just to stay in the game and get their name out. Maybe that is why the licensing for games on the PS3 was so expensive as well thus everyone suffered when it came to the business side of things.

Those Who Finish Last, Finish Best – Like I said, being first has backfired for companies before and once again Nintendo is the first when it comes to the incorporation of 3D into their handhelds. Now in all respects, I do understand that they are not really bothering with Sony and Microsoft as competition and are aiming to take on Apple since the iPhones and iPads and other cool devices by them incorporate gaming and are digging into the handheld market. 3D is the big talk now and being the first handheld to incorporate what is going on now is a possible good tactic to compete with something else that is going on now. However, this opens up the possibility for trap doors for the 3DS.

Now that 3D is being incorporated into handhelds and it is shown through Nintendo’s titular new device, what is not to say that Apple might not do the same thing. What happens if Apple incorporates the 3D technology into their iPhones and iPads and iTouch? Speaking of other handhelds, it is not hard to even think that Sony has an eye on 3D as well. They are incorporating 3D into their games just through a patch update on the PS3. You will still need glasses and all but Sony at least recognizes the movement towards 3D. Also, Sony is no stranger on taking technology used first from one company and utilizing it to be better for their own thus the Playstation Move. Does that sound familiar? So being first may actually might make Nintendo bite the bullet on this one.

________________________________

All in all, Nintendo has a lot going for them with the 3DS but there are possibilities that could dethrone them. They were almost dethroned by Sony back in the day so it could happen again. All Nintendo has to do is keep up with the personal relations and everything will be fine. New technology is nothing unless it can truly utilized and accepted into the society the new tech is in today and Nintendo is very good when it comes to the casual gaming market which in all respects, is the biggest and most social market when it comes to the video gaming community.