Hands-On With Four More Terrific 3DS Games

Pilotwings: The Pilotwings on 3DS here is a demo featuring a quick fly-plane-through-hoops challenge and a jetpack course. The game is set on the same Wuhu island that we first saw in Wii Sports Resort. I flew my plane over the sword-fighting platform. I guess that is why they are calling this game Pilotwings Resort.

Face Off: This game had the 3DS snapping a picture of my face and then wrapping it around spheres. Little orbs covered in my face started flying at me, the 3DS’ top screen appearing to be a viewfinder to an augmented reality version of my world. I could tilt and aim the 3DS to shoot at the orbs, but if I missed the enemies, my shots hit the background — which was the table over which I was holding the system. My missed shots caused an effect that made it look like the table surface was rippling with shockwaves.

Tech Demo: Target Shooting: This was another augmented-reality showpiece. For this one, a Nintendo rep put a brown mat on a table. I had to hold the 3DS 14 inches from the mat, my top screen acting as a viewfinder or window to that table and mat. Once I was holding the system at the proper distance, the tabletop appeared to transform, with a chasm opening in the middle and targets emerging. I had to move the 3DS all around the table to get the best angles on the targets, walking all around the table in real life. Once I shot out the targets, a dragon emerged. It had weak points on all sides, so I was again having to walk around the table to shoot it.

I tried a few more, including submarine simulator Steel Diver and a non-playable movie of Mario Kart. They were fine, but the above quartet were the most impressive. The 3D effect works well for the player holding the system and is just a terrific visual effect. The augmented reality demos, while not that different than what I’ve seen with a PSP or iPhone, were still a joy. Thumbs up to all of this. Nintendo has got it together with this one.