3D won’t be a ‘key feature’ going forward for Nintendo consoles

Nintendo pushed the glasses-less 3D experience on the Nintendo 3DS pretty hard at launch. Why wouldn’t they? It’s the one of the big features of the console and the effect is a pretty great technology.

For Nintendo’s next console however, don’t expect them to pay too much attention to it as Satoru Iwata has revealed in a new interview that it’s going to be a ‘minor element’ going forward. So what’s changed? Nothing really, Iwata says simply that the “[effect] isn’t going to keep people excited.”

[quote]“I think it’s an important element, it makes graphics more impactful, it proves a sense of immersion that 2D doesn’t have, so I would say generally that 3D is better than 2D.”

“It’s nice to have good graphics but not necessarily on their own, so I don’t think we’ll present [3D graphics] as one of the key features of our consoles but will probably stick with 3D as one of the minor elements of our consoles in the future.”[/quote]

So while Nintendo’s next handheld (or console) might have stereoscopic 3D capabilities don’t expect Nintendo to focus fully on it. Whatever they think up next will be the big selling point and 3D will be relegated to a tick on the box.