What Secrets Does the "Leaked 3DS Motherboard" Reveal?

[John Funk]

What Secrets Does the "Leaked 3DS Motherboard" Reveal?

According to hardware analysis, the supposed images of the 3DS motherboard reportedly leaked from an FCC filing indicate that Nintendo's new handheld could support widescreen and a control nub similar to the one on the PSP.

In the past few days, an image has surfaced on the internet that is allegedly the motherboard for the hardware that 3DS games are being tested on (and developed for) [http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-3ds-dev-motherboard-sighted]. The image in question was reportedly leaked from a Nintendo filing submitted to the FCC - though naturally, nothing has been confirmed.

The folks over at GameUsagi [http://gameusagi.com/?p=1158] blew the image up to take a closer look, and look they did. Now, I'm no hardware expert - frankly, this entire thing looks just like blue plastic with little dots on it to me - but from what they can see, the 3DS may have some features that its predecessor is lacking: namely, widescreen support and an analog control nub.

[blockquote]The most obvious item on this motherboard is the wide-screen screen. A departure from Nintendo's almost exclusive 4:3 past, this could certainly be an interesting development. If we assume that the bottom screen is roughly the size of a DSi screen, then that makes the top screen very nearly the same size and dimensions as an iPhone screen. There are a lot of cables running off of the top screen and each one essentially would do something different. With the 3-4 connectors attached to the top screen, that could hint at something like touch input, backlight, and two display "angles" for the glasses-free 3D effect for the top screen.[/blockquote]

The 3DS also has inputs for SD and current DS cards, roughly the same button layout as the DS (analog stick, four face buttons), and a headphone jack.

Again, take all of this with a grain of salt. But the way the 3DS is shaping up, it might be a very clear step above its predecessor when we see it this year at E3.

(CVG [http://gameusagi.com/?p=1158])

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[Jared]

Well, sounds like they are adding some new functions for sure.

Cant wait to see some offical info on it

 

[Subzerowings]

Blue motherboard?
Wow.
It's always interesting to se the insides of a console.

 

[The DSM]

Does control nub mean those wierd tiny sticks on PSPs?

Those really hurt your fingers after a while....

 

[Kiithid]

Does control nub mean those wierd tiny sticks on PSPs?

Those really hurt your fingers after a while....

The ds shoulder buttons as well.

I'm eager to find out on the next iteration a built in "Summon Nuclear Strike".

 

[Jack and Calumon]

Sweet, can't wait to kill Ganon, IN 3D!

Calumon: And I can't wait to catch not alot of 'em, IN THREE DEE!

 

[Simalacrum]

A control nub eh...?

Well, for once I guess Nintendo is stealing idea's off its competitors, unlike the usual vice versa

 

[Analogfantasies]

A control nub eh...?

Well, for once I guess Nintendo is stealing idea's off its competitors, unlike the usual vice versa

Looks more like they're stealing old, bad ideas from themselves:

http://www.axess.com/twilight/console/detail/nes_max.jpg

Kinda sad that the basic idea 20 years later still sucks.

 

[More Fun To Compute]

The third capacitor from the left is not the shape I would have expected. Interesting. I think that this console will probably be able to run Mario games quite well as a result of that design decision.

 

[Yamikotai]

Sounds cool - widescreen will definitely be welcome.

I assume it'll be double screen like its predecessor?

 

[chronobreak]

Don't people hate those control nubs, though? I thought that was a universal problem for most people with PSP's, or was that just the lack of another analog stick or something?

 

[CoverYourHead]

Don't people hate those control nubs, though? I thought that was a universal problem for most people with PSP's, or was that just the lack of another analog stick or something?

Most complaints were about there not being a second one to control the camera.

OT: Looks interesting, though I don't condone the whole 3D craze that's been going on lately, I hope it dies out soon.

 

[AceDiamond]

As long as this nub's surface doesn't have the consistency of sandpaper it'll automatically be better. At least that was my big complaint with the PSP's analog nub. Well that and despite having said sandpaper consistency it was too easy for the thumb to slip off it anyway.

 

[Atmos Duality]

Good grief Nintendo, if you must learn something,anything, then learn from Sony's biggest mistakes with the PSP.

1) No second analogue stick means poor camera controls. And virtually all 3D titles need good camera controls. I cannot stand to play most of the 3D titles on my PSP because the camera is impossible to work with, or painful to work around.
2) The nubby buttons are functional, but painful to operate.

3) If you insist on only using one analogue control nub, PUT IT ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE D-PAD. This way, you can emulate having two directional controls rather than forcing the player to destroy their index finger trying to operate the game (also known as "clawing" to the Monster Hunter crowd).

4) If you're going the two analogue route (or "half and half" as described in point 3), that means the shoulder buttons become the main action buttons; this is because the player's thumbs are tied up operating the camera and controls with the analogue/D-pad.
It's probably not feasible for a handheld to have a second layer of shoulder buttons (for size limitations), but if it is possible to find a solution that works, do so because your games will profit immeasurably from this.
I cannot emphasize enough how many games can be salvaged just by adding two additional input buttons and a solid camera control.

Odds of any of this being implemented: Near 0%.
Why? To accommodate the old DS titles.

 

[Alar]

I may or may not be purchasing this when it comes out. As it is, I have no portable computer/game player, and am seriously considering getting a PSP, a DS, or an iPod Touch.

 

[Scrythe]

To quote something as old as the internet:

"Yeah, but can it download porn?"

 

[Eric the Orange]

Calumon: And I can't wait to catch not alot of 'em, IN THREE DEE!

A Digimon making a Pokemon reference! next we'll see Mario and Sonic in the same game. Oh, wait...

 

[Harumania]

Eh... I'm not the biggest fan of 3d, but I guess I'll hold off judgement until it comes out.

Either way, I won't even consider buying one of these things until it comes out in a larger version like the DSi XL. My GODS I don't see how I played DS games before on those puny little screens! If the 3D Games are gonna be on a screen similar to the original DS then the eyestrain alone will keep me far far away from the portable.

 

[Crazie_Guy]

An analog nub as per the PSP is not the only way to get analog control onto a handheld. They could very well put on a much more usable stick. Anyone who has held a Tapwave Zodiac should know what I'm talking about.