3D might be the most distinct feature of the 3DS, but it’s not the only thing that sets it apart. It is, however, something that could be entirely ignored in future game releases — even those from Nintendo.
An English translation of Nintendo’s recent financial results Q&A has gone live, giving us more insight into the company’s decision to drop the price of the 3DS so early in its life cycle, among other things. CEO Satoru Iwata addressed a number of questions about the system’s 3D capabilities, prompting him to outline the difficulties of conveying 3D through traditional advertising. He also admitted that 3D isn’t a necessary feature for every 3DS game.
“I think there could be a Nintendo 3DS software title which does not use the 3D feature at all, and I believe Nintendo will develop such software,” he said. “Instead, other features of the Nintendo 3DS should be focused on. It might be a communication feature, or other functions (such as the gyro sensor or the motion sensor). The important thing is that each respective software title has its own characteristics, and appeals to the consumers in a way that fits the software. So I am not worried in a way like, ‘The value of the Nintendo 3DS will decrease when the novelty of 3D wears off.'”
