With Nintendo soliciting feedback before finalizing the design of its new flagship portable, here are the top five reasons why the 3DS needs two analog sticks:

1. Two sticks are the BEST way to navigate 3D

As the worlds first 3D portable gaming console, the 3DS is a revolutionary piece of hardware that deserves the most effective control scheme to match its 3D capabilities. Using two sticks is the most natural way to navigate 3D worlds, with one stick controlling the players movement while the second aims or pans the camera. It’s a system that feels great to use and intuitive to learn. There’s a reason why the two most capable 3D consoles (360 and pS3) both use dual stick controllers — because it’s the best we’ve got. Until something better comes along, it’s the most natural control method for use on a hand-held controller.

2. Gamers already know how to navigate 3D worlds with dual sticks

The reason so many gamers clamor for dual analog sticks is because we’ve grown up navigating 3D worlds with them for the last 10 years; the PS2 for ten, the original Xbox for eight, and both the 360 & PS3. That’s an entire generation of gamers who already know and understand the dual stick interface. Why re-learn a new interface for the 3DS when dual sticks are so perfectly suited already?

3. Adding it now is easy. Adding it later splits the market.

Take a close look at the PSP Go design: The right circular indention looks perfectly designed for a second stick. I’m guessing they designed it to have dual sticks but at the last moment- fearing splitting their market- pulled that model and played it safe instead. Had they only had a little more guts and released the 2nd stick version, it would have breathed new life into the PSP, yet its online-only nature is perfectly suited to handle dual stick software versions for a PSP Dually.

Nintendo should learn from Sony’s mistake and add a second stick to the 3DS now while the market is still new and intact.

4. Give some love to the Lefties

Two sticks may be a nice addition for us righties, but it means the world for left-handed gamers since they can use their right hand on a stick and their most dominant hand- the left- for the stylus. Admit it, how many of us righties would enjoy using the stylus with our left hand? Come on Nintendo, give some love to the lefties!

5. Some games aren’t fun without them

There are many games which simply aren’t as much fun without dual sticks. First Person Shooters: Yes, the touch-screen does an admiral job but requires stable footing to be effective. FPS are best with two sticks. Sports Games: Many of today’s sports games depend on two sticks; NHL, Fight Night, UFC, FIFA, Madden (Check out this dual stick Madden video), table tennis- all are better with two sticks. 3D Platformers: All the best 3D platformers use two sticks as default: Ratchet & Clank, Jak & Daxter, Sly Cooper – they are all great with two sticks. Racing Games: Mario Kart aside, racing games are better with two sticks. GT3, GT4 GT5:P and Forza all use the second stick as their default controls. Dual Stick Shooters: These games are so good with two sticks, we name the genre after them. Galaxy Wars, Shadow Complex, Super Stardust HD are all examples of games designed around two sticks, all would be fantastic on the 3DS!

Why neuter the types of games for 3DS right out of the gate? Unlock its full potential by including two sticks and open up all the gaming genres right from the start. Do you think the 3DS should have dual sticks? Vote in the poll on the top-right.

6. Why not add two sticks?

Need a some more reasons? The 3DS is the most desireable electronic gadget since the iPhone. It’s going to poop gold for Nintendo for many wonderful years. Therefore the expense of adding a second stick is virtually none. Do a quick redesign and add one additional part from the existing parts list. Also, developers will offer alternate control schemes, which they already do. So why not add two sticks?

7. Dual Sticks are Uptown

The two most powerful and expensive consoles today both have dual stick controllers. If the 3DS launches sporting its own pair of beautiful sticks, Nintendo sends a subtle message that this portable is not like the PSP, but uptown like the 360 slim and PS3. People tend to pay a little more to go uptown.

Ever since Sony removed OtherOS from systems which were previously capable of running it, hacking attempts to restore the original functionality have increased dramatically. Last week the good folks over at StreetskaterFU were able to run a custom script loaded from a USB drive.

Although the script is confined to a restricted area of the PS3, many are excited just to get a foot in the door in order to poke around and learn more. This is but a small step in the progress needed, but Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen.

This article is the beginning of our commitment to keep you informed on any significant progress to restore OtherOS functionality to the PS3. When a comprehensive solution becomes available, we will publish a complete tutorial on how it’s done.

It’s ironic that by removing OtherOS under the false pretenses of preventing piracy, Sony has sent hordes of legitimate linux hackers into the realm of PS3 security – something they had no interest in doing before. Seems clear to me this line of interest will lead to a fully compromised PS3 – the exact thing Sony wishes to prevent. Sony should restore OtherOS functionality ASAP and put and end to this nonsense before Pandora’s Box is opened for good.

UPDATE: Sorry everyone, looks I’ve got the purpose of the Kinect Port completely wrong. The port is designed so Kinect doesn’t require an additional power supply. It works fine on the original 360 when used with external power. My sincere apologies for getting it wrong, consider this a lesson learned. Thank You Bob and others for the correction. -David

My nephew and I laughed during Microsoft’s keynote when they announced the “Built-in Kinect Port” as one of the 360S features. We made jokes at the time that they color-coded one of the USB ports just for Kinect’s ‘family friendly’ target audience. Turns out the joke’s on us! (UPDATE: Turns out the jokes on me!)

That’s because Kinect doesn’t use a standard USB port but a specially designed connector just for Kinect. Listed as the 6th major bullet point on the 360S specifications is the Kinect-Ready port. Microsoft went through the trouble and expense to design Kinect so it won’t plug into the original 360 or any other standard Windows computer. Why would they do this? Don’t they want to sell Kinect to the 40 million existing 360 gamers? They do not. Read on to find out why.

The second major bullet point that really jumps out is: Backwards Compatibility. Typically, “backwards compatible” indicates that in addition to its normally designed software, a system is also capable of running the older version’s software as well. Why bother to state the obvious? Gamers are well accustomed to product refresh cycles, so why mention that a slim version of the 360 can also run 360 software? In the case of the 360S, backwards compatibility refers to its ability to run Xbox 360 software – not original Xbox games – and its ‘normal’ software are Kinect games. This answer reveals deep insight into the inner thinking at Microsoft and the reality distortion field Kinect has on them.

Microsoft’s Wii-envy has taken over all rational thought inside Redmond headquarters. They’ve been up night and day putting their master plan in place to steal Wii’s casual audience away with Kinect. They believe so strongly in Kinect, the 360S represents a brand new console for them, not simply a product refresh; Hence the Backwards Compatibility feature. The vision is of millions of new casual gamers flocking to Kinect with its compelling library of new and innovative software titles. They believe it so strongly, they designed the Kinect port so existing 360 owners will have to pay-up for a new console to play. That’s what they didn’t say! Will it work?

Nintendo

Nintendo came out firing on all cylinders with Zelda, kept the momentum going with all the wonderful new games, drove it home with a new 3DS, then served up dessert with a sugary parade of beautiful young models cuddling shiny glowing 3DSs in their arms. Sony and Microsoft really need to study Nintendo’s keynote this year as they showed everyone how it’s done. Of all the gaming companies who earned the right to boast it is Nintendo, yet they only spend a few short minutes trashing the competition in a humorous yet effective manner. Then we have the games, oh the wonderful new games that are heading our way this year.  We have:

The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword:

Extensive utilization of the Wii Motion+ guarantees a unique and fun new Zelda experience that everyone will want to try for themselves. The Wii Zelda game we always wanted. At first glance looks like it might define the new standard for motion control games. Easily a 15 Million+ title.

Donkey Kong Country Returns:

The older versions’ gameplay still holds up brilliantly today so the Returns update looks fabulous. Everyone will love and play this game. It will sell MILLION$!

Epic Mickey:

This game has appeal across many different gaming genres on all sorts of levels and is a genuinely unique title in today’s sea of sequels. It’s like Fallout 3 for kids along with platforming steeped in Mickey cartoon history. The duck is in the details but at first glance it’s looking like a monster hit. It will sell MILLION$!

New 3DS:

Behold Nintendo’s latest portable gaming console, the 3DS. The glasses-less 3D technology is exciting – you can easily imagine how it enhances the gaming experience. 3D movie contracts ensures its place as a popular 3D media viewer. It’s fully Backwards Compatible with the DSi, so that platform lives on as well. The 3DS will also be the first successful mass marketed 3D camera.

Graphical resolution is an improvement over the DS at 800×320 (400×320 in 3D) but leaves something on the table for Sony. No mention on the launch date or price. My guess is this Christmas for $189. Game developers are falling over themselves delivering their AAA ‘hardcore’ titles to the device guaranteeing one of the strongest launch lineups in history. Just look in at this incredible list of AAA titles:
- Street Fighter IV 3D
- StarFox 64 3D
- Kid Icurus
- Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D
- Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D
- Saints Row
- Assassin’s Creed
- Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
- Resident Evil
- Square Enix Titles
- Kingdom Hearts
- Batman
- The Sims 3
- FIFA Soccer
- Dead or Alive 3D
- Madden
- Chocobo Racing 3D
- DJ Hero 3D
- Professor Layton
- Nintendogs + Cats (uses facial recognition)

Other notable game releases for the Wii: Wii Party, Mario Sports Mix, Kirby’s Epic Yarn, PokePark Pikachu’s Adventure, Metroid M, and Samurai Warriors 3.

Sony

Sony got off to a dreadful start sucking all the life and fun out of the hopeful audience for nearly a half hour before finally getting some people on stage who actually seemed to enjoy games, like Kevin Butler (of Sony commercial fame) who saved the show, along with the parade of games that followed. They unveiled an exciting lineup of future titles including many new IP announcements.

Sony Move

Sony showed plenty of Move titles along with a new category and price-point for Move games, $39.99. We also learned the price for Move itself which is $49.99 for the main controller, $29.99 for the camera, and $29.99 for the nunchuck/navigation unit – available around November 19th. There’s also a bundle with Move, the Navigation unit and Sports Champions game for $99.99. Was hoping for more hardcore title announcements for Move, something to really differentiate Move from the Wii, so perhaps we’ll get more before its launch. A Ps3 Bundle with everything including a PS3 will cost around $399.99. Here’s some of the highlights of the show:

Sorcery (Move game):

A brand new IP for Move and the first ‘hardcore’ game I’ve seen in action so far. An action/adventure game that makes full use of the Move for more than simple waggles. Cast spells on enemies with different motions, and combine spells to create even more powerful versions. One of the most interesting games of E3 blunted only slightly by the long shadow cast by Zelda. Luckily they have plenty of time to look and learn from the masters.

Heroes on the Move:

A brand new IP combining all time classic characters; Jak, Daxter, Sly, Bentley, Ratchet and Clank. I love all these old games so looking forward to see what this is. You have my attention Sony!

Grand Tursimo 5:

The most anticipated racing game in history finally has a release date on November 2nd, 2010. No more slipping… Nov 2, Nov 2, Nov 2!!!! Hip hip, hooray! Hip hip, hooray! Damage, online racing, Nascar, 3D, updated physics – easily a 15 Million+ title.

LittleBigPlanet 2:

Sackboys everywhere make their return with tons of new gaming modes including FPS, flying, motion control and my personal favorite: new physics suits to fix the floaty jumping mechanics. This game will delight gamers and would-be designers for 100s of hours and will sell MILLION$.

Portal 2:

Gabe Newell, lead developer at Valve Software gave the surprising announcement of Portal 2 for the PS3. Surprising since he once said the PS3 is such a total disaster, Sony should scrap it and start a do-over. If priced right, this game will sell MILLION$.

ICO/ Shadow of the Colossus Collection:

PS2 greats for the PS3. Pretty much a must-buy title if you haven’t played them. Sony’s strategy of removing PS2 backwards compatibility is really paying off. (Sorry loyal PS2 fans)

Sly Cooper Collection:

More PS2 greats on the PS3. All three Sly games on one disk. Another must-buy if you haven’t played them.

Final Fantasy XIV:

Many people are super excited for the next version of this classic RPG fantasy game.

New Twisted Metal:

A remake of the classic auto-combat game to be released in 2011. Twisted Metal has amazing atmospheres and wonderful characters but I always become quickly bored of the gameplay. Looks like the PS3 version has added some much needed game modes and flying helicopters. Keep an eye on this one.

PlayStation Plus:

Brings some additional gaming options over PSN, available later this month. $49.99 for one year, and $18.00 for 3 months. I can’t imagine ever paying for this.

Gaming Bundles:

Sony announced two titles which come bundled with their previous version included on the disk. Dead Space 2 and Dead Space: Extraction will come bundled together for the price of just Dead Space 2. (Move enabled, yay!) Also, the new Metal of Honor will also include “Metal of Honor: Frontline” on the disk. This is a nice strategy which lures gamers who never played the previous versions by offering a better value while simultaneously stemming used game sales for the previous titles. A win-win for publisher and gamer alike. Keep it up Sony, let’s see lots more of this.

No New PSP

Rumors of a new PSP proved to be false. Too bad since PSP’s future is cloudy now that 3DS is looming. Poor Marcus (new PSP advertising spokesman). I say good riddance and now let Sony release the portable they should have always created.

A portable with FULL PS2 compatibility with two sticks and two shoulder buttons. You keep the PS2 ecosystem alive on two consoles; the PS2 and PSP2. You slide the best games over to the PS3 giving them the HD treatment along the way. Developers are thrilled with two revenue streams for the price of one, and they get to use the same development tools they already know, own and love. This insures the games are inexpensive- perfect for a portable.

No Love for Insomniac?

No mention of StarHawk or Resistance 3. And unfortunately, Insomniac is not the developer for Heroes on the Move. Is Sony giving the cold shoulder to Insomniac Games as punishment for their cross-platform deal with EA?

Microsoft

With E3 kicking off today, Microsoft is the first of the big three to hold their keynote. They began last night with their Cirque du Soleil disaster where they faked Kinect gameplay and dressed up the audience in plastic ponchos with shoulder-pads. So how did it go?

Kinect:

Project Natal is officially named Kinect – a cross between Kinetic + Connect. Many Kinect games were shown and we are left with the impression that Kinect is more for the casual fan. I’ll discuss Kinect in detail in my upcoming article about the 360S.

ESPN:

An ESPN partnership to deliver on-demand and streaming sporting events over Xbox Live. Apparently free for Xbox Live Gold subscribers. Can’t wait to hear more details and which sports are included. Would love to see some Tennis, for example.

New Xbox 360 S:

A new Xbox 360 Slim announced. I have a full article coming out to discuss the new 360S and trust me, you wont want to miss it. Here are the details we know so far:

* Smaller form-factor, quieter fans
* 250GB hard drive
* 45 nanometer integrated CPU and GPU
* Five USB slots: two in front, three in back
* Touch sensitive buttons for on/off and eject
* 802.11 N Wi-Fi, optical audio out

Metal Gear Solid Rising:

Metal Gear with swords, looks like an incredibly fun ‘hardcore’ motion game! Fantastic slow-motion animation, beautiful art style, and another Metal Gear. One of my top-three games of E3 so far.

Call of Duty:

Timed exclusivity for the Call of Duty series for the Xbox 360. Bad news for Sony since this is one of the best selling mutiplayer games in history. I wonder how much they paid?

Need For Speed Hot Pursuit: Race:

A new Need For Speed Hot Pursuit. This one looks to go back to its roots as a true cops vs. bandit car chases. Absolutely loved the original so can’t wait to see how the HD treatment looks on Hot Pursuit.

Child of Eden:

Looks like a motion control REZ HD! I admit to never playing this game except for the demo on Xbox Live but have always wanted to. The PS2 version became a rare collectible and sells for $50-$80. Looks like Child of Eden will be my first.

Gears of War 3/ Bulletstorm:

Another version of Gears of War is on the way, and it looks goregous. Also from Epic Games is Bulletstorm, a Gears like FPS game with awe inspiring graphics. I mainly want to see if Host-Advantage is finally fixed for GoW3. Bulletstorm look like it might be a pure shooter designed for fun. Will keep an eye on these.

Ever since the PS3 slim announcement last week.. I’ve been fascinated by Sony’s decision to remove 3rd party OS support from the system. On one hand it makes sense since it doesn’t promote game sales but then again why include it in the first place? I’m guessing is has to do with the Hypervisor, but what could it be? A little sleuthing around revealed the following nuggets (see bottom links for sources):

I’m sorry that you are frustrated by the lack of comment specifically regarding the withdrawal of support for OtherOS on the new PS3 slim.

The reasons are simple: The PS3 Slim is a major cost reduction involving many changes to hardware components in the PS3 design. In order to offer the OtherOS install, SCE would need to continue to maintain the OtherOS hypervisor drivers for any significant hardware changes – this costs SCE. One of our key objectives with the new model is to pass on cost savings to the consumer with a lower retail price. Unfortunately in this case the cost of OtherOS install did not fit with the wider objective to offer a lower cost PS3.

This makes perfect sense for Sony. Most people are aware by now that linux support on the PS3 was not so much a way for end users to run alternative applications, but for programmers wanting to experiment with the radical design of the Cell Broadband Processor. Anyone following Sony’s history with Linux knows they have internal personalities fighting for control with their on-again, off-again support. Perhaps Sony can collaborate with open-source developers to do the work?

Many view this news as evidence that support for OtherOS on ‘phat’ PS3s will be dropped when a new software update is installed. However, another Sony representative had this to say to quell everyone’s concerns:

Please be assured that SCE is committed to continue
the support for previously sold models that have the
“Install Other OS” feature and that this feature will
not be disabled in future firmware releases.

-Geoff

So there you have it. 3rd party OS support will continue for ‘phat’ PS3s, but Slims are left in the hands of the hackers.

Some observed the amount of static RAM has steadily declined with each iteration of PS3 hardware; Beginning with 256MB for the original 60GB model and now only 64MB in the slim. Could this contribute to the limited OS support? I’ll wait for ArsTechnica.com’s excellent analysis since they always have the skinny on hardware.

I’m still holding high hopes that Backwards Compatibility will be announced for a future update on all PS3 Slim models. Keeping my fingers crossed since the PS3 is by far the best PS2 ever made. It’s one of the things the PS3 does best with its graphical smoothing, 1080 scaling and memory card management. In fact, the most excited I ever was owning a PS3 was when a rumor circulated that you could install PS2 games to the hard drive. What can I say, I love them classic PS2 games!

The good news for wannabe Cell Broadband Engine programmers; All the PS3s after the 60GB model but before the Slim ought to be had at bargain prices. The next few months is the opportune time to snag these up as development machines.

Sony Rep 1, Sony Rep 2

With the latest Gran Turismo news coming from GamesCom in Germany, here’s a sweet video of GT5 Prologue to get your blood flowing:

What’s announced so far:

Cars

• 1,000 vehicles
• 170 Premium new models (full interior modeling, the interior corresponds to vehicle damage)
• 830 kinds of standard model (some are from Gran Turismo 4 that have been carried over to GT5)

Tracks

• 60 courses confirmed with 20 or more to be revealed

Physics

• Physics system simulation is brand new
• Represented is full fall in vehicles
• Damage representation (reproduced in full by real-time collision deformation)

That’s a whole lot of racing goodness for the price of one game. Combined with Sony’s announcement today of the long awaited price cut and new PS3 Slim, this game is going to move millions of systems.

Read the full translation or in Sony’s own words if you read Japanese.

The NeoGAF forums are buzzing with sightings of PS3 price drops and deep discounts on PS3 games. It’s seemingly bargains galore in the UK, Belgium & Netherlands.

The picture above shows the PS3 + bluray movie 300 + extra bluray remote for 299£.

With no official word from Sony, we can only speculate on what all this means.. so here are some more first hand accounts from the forums:

Amazon in the UK lists new PS3s bundled with Little Big Planet for £279.99.

Game.co.uk bundles the PS3 with Little Big Planet + Motorstorm 2 + Ratchet & Clank: Quest For Booty for £298.49.

Media Markt in Poland has the PS3 + Motorstorm 2 or PS3 + Resistance 2 for 1299pln (316euro).

399€ packs include a PS3 + 2 DS3 controllers + bluray remote + bluray movie + Little Big Planet + MotorStorm 2 + Resistance 2 at Game Plaza in Belgium and Bart Smit stores in the Netherlands and Belgium

Gamestop in Italy has the PS3 + Little Big Planet for 299€ when trading in your old PS2 + memory card & 5 PS2 games.

Here are the game deals at Amazon.co.uk:

€17 LittleBigPlanet
€20 Far Cry 2
€20 Tomb Raider Underworld
€20 Midnight Club Los Angeles
€25 MotorStorm Pacific Rift
€25 BioShock
€25 Mirror’s Edge
€25 Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

And at ShopTo.net:

€15 The Orange Box
€18 Tom Clancy’s EndWar
€20 Resistance 2
€20 MotorStorm Pacific Rift
€20 LittleBigPlanet
€20 FIFA 09
€23 WWE Smackdown vs RAW 2009
€25 Fallout 3
€25 Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe

For those in the US curious about the conversion rate in US dollars, 15 euros is roughly equivalent to $21. Original rumor published on N4G.

As much as we’d love to report our experience with the New Xbox Experience (NXE), our 360 RRoDeathed when starting up after trying it out for the first time. So off to the Microsoft repair shop it went. This is our third – the previous two also RRoDied.

While the semi-official failure rate is only 16%. Any impromptu poll on Xbox Live reveals nearly everyone in the room citing at least one failure. My stance has always been: As long as they replace them on Microsoft’s dime, I’m willing to put up with the replacement process since the games are so great.

However, this time, I was told the system will only be covered under warranty for 90 days after receiving the repaired system. Excuse me?!

My confidence in the new replacement lasting over one year is 0%. They are simply not engineered to last. The 360 never moves from its cool airy spot. I clean its air vents periodically. It plays games sometimes and then fails. There’s nothing 360 owners can do to prevent it from happening.. it’s seemingly designed to (mal) function this way. The PS3 continues working after 2 years, and trusty PS2 phat still runs like a champ after 6 years so it seems clearly a 360 problem and not its environment.

Microsoft addressed the issue with a new revision of the hardware designed to run cooler and solve the disastrous failure rate. Great for the new buyers, but what about the rest of us who’s 360s will surely fail after the 90 day warranty expires?

Will you pay to have it ‘fixed?’ Will you take it like a gay man and pony up for a new system? Or will you switch to the PS3?

This is the question millions of 360 owners will soon have to answer for themselves over the next two years as Microsoft refuses to fix their dead 360s under warranty. What will you do?

Here’s some additional reading on the issue.

The latest character in the upcoming Street Fighter IV, launching Feb. 3rd, 2009.