The New Nintendo 3DS’s head tracking ability makes 3D fun again

When Nintendo said that the New Nintendo 3DS would be getting an upgrade to its 3D screen viewing angles I really didn’t care.

Like a lot of people I initially enjoyed the concept of glass-less 3D but over the years with less and less games making use of the feature and the novelty of it wearing off, the old 3D slider just gets slid down more and more.

This is completely aside from the fact that to get the 3D to work you had to hold the Nintendo 3DS pretty still and be in that ‘sweet spot’. Moving it left or right and up and down in most cases broke the effect and just strained the eyes.

Not with the New Nintendo 3DS.

The new model has some nifty head tracking software in it and a new camera sensor which keeps the 3D ‘on track’. The 3D effect will now see your face, even in the dark and track you head no matter where you move (within reason) and keep that 3D effect nice and strong. There’s still that ‘sweet spot’ you need to hold, but it’s now huge.

Nintendo have even made it so when the 3DS fails to track your face that the effect doesn’t break as much as before, look right back at the system and it picks up your face and locks on again. You can turn this off if you wish, it is a camera after-all. The 3DS will simply revert to ‘classic 3D’ and while better than the old 3DS it’s still not as great as when it’s locked onto you.

With the new screen and the improved 3D effects I was able to play Smash Bros. for more than an hour straight with the 3D full burst. It made the game feel so more alive. Previously I turned it off on my old XL right away, too much image shimmering to even try and use it seriously.

Sound confusing? Check out our video for more information and to see the tracker in action.