Nintendo on 3DS: Graphics Were “A Priority”

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the 3DS can pump out some impressive visuals. From the impressive E3 tech demos to speculations about the graphics chip, it seems everyone has been talking about the little 3D engine that could. Now, it seems the Big N has decided to weigh in on the subject as well.

During an interview with Nintendo Power, the official American magazine for all things Nintendo, 3DS producer Hideki Konno described the designing process of the 3DS. During this phase, Konno admitted that creating improved visuals was “a crucial priority”, with an extra emphasis placed on surpassing the visuals found in their previous Nintendo handheld devices, and possibly those found in competitor devices as well. Konno mentioned a particular interest in showing off the 3DS’ graphical prowess with the upcoming Nintendogs + Cats, a project that he is personally developing. With that game, the developer is confident that the new shading effects will accurately show off the fur and pelts of each pet.

While the company has always had a history of pushing the graphical envelope with each new console they develop, this is the first time that Nintendo has admitted to the importance of establishing high-end visuals. After all, the Nintendo Wii has been often criticized for using outdated hardware (frequently mocked as being “two Gamecubes taped together”), with Nintendo’s damage control stating that innovative controls at an affordable price was the primary reasoning. The under-budget approach certainly paid off, with profits exceeding both of their high-def competitors, but with the novelty of motion controls fading and sales plummeting, could the admittance of the 3DS’ graphical importance signify a Wii successor that will manage to match, or possibly exceed, the next generation of high definition consoles?

Let’s just hope Nintendo’s evolution also includes HDMI cables, resolutions above 480p, and a streamlined online community as well.