3DS screen could be bigger, says Konno

By Ellie Gibson Published 13 July, 2010

But there are viewpoint and cost issues.

Nintendo's Hideki Konno has said it is possible to manufacture a larger version of the 3DS's three-dimensional screen - but that you probably wouldn't want to.

Konno, who was producer for Nintendogs and the Mario Kart series, was speaking during an interview with Wired. When asked if a television-sized 3DS-style display could be made, he replied, "We could do it, but besides the cost issue, consumers would have to be in one very specific position to watch the TV or the 3D will be completely gone. With the handheld, there is only one position."

Looks like Nintendo will be sticking with the current 3DS design, then. In fact, Konno confirmed that the model shown at E3 is the one we'll see in shops, stating, "You can take this as the final shape."

He also discussed the gyroscope featured in the handheld, suggesting it will work well in conjunction with the 3D screen. "During our experiments, we have found that in a first-person shooter, we can use the sensor to move the aiming and the pointer," Konno said.

"In that case, your line of sight is still quite rigid, your eyes are pointing at the screen, and so the 3-D effect won’t be diluted. So there is the possibility that both 3-D and motion control could be used in the same software."

Konno revealed that Nintendo has been tinkering with glasses-free 3D since the days of the GameCube. Back then, a 3D version of Luigi's Mansion was under consideration. How about one for the 3DS, then?

Picture of Ellie.

About Ellie Gibson

Since joining Eurogamer in the mid 2000s, Ellie has written about subjects as diverse as the fall of Gizmondo, the rise of Hollyoaks actresses in Red Alert games and the noise a bear makes under NSFW circumstances.

Read more articles from Ellie by visiting the Ellie Gibson archive page.

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Comments (15) Latest comment 2 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Climhazzard #1 2 years ago

    A 3D version of Luigis Mansion would be very welcome.

  • rick1199 #2 2 years ago

    A sequal would be better, I am hoping the 3DS doesn't just turn into another excuse to rerelease all the old nintendo games AGAIN !!

  • Moz #3 2 years ago

    But we knew this such TVs already exist and he's right they are rubbish

  • geox30 #4 2 years ago

    As with all the latest Nintendo consoles,I think we will witness both innovation and rip-offs.I don't mind that,no one forces me to buy anything... I am only looking forward for the innovating stuff

  • Lee_Morris #5 2 years ago

    EG can you sort the Dragon Quest ad. It's covering some of the text on the left hand side.

  • Bagpuss #6 2 years ago

    You only have to look at all the spare room around the screen to see that an upgraded 3ds with larger screen will appear in a few years time...

    A hardware refresh with a larger screen is an easy way to boost flagging sales, as we have seen with the current DS....

  • mingster #7 2 years ago

    Yeah dragon quest ad is cutting off some of th

  • peterfll #8 2 years ago

    Ahh... Luigis Mansion! Got it with my Gamecube at launch... many happy memories, and would love to see a 3DS update.

  • Daryoon #9 2 years ago

    A hardware refresh with a larger screen is an easy way to boost flagging sales, as we have seen with the current DS....

    And the original Gameboy. And the Gameboy Advance. And the Atari Lynx. And the PSP. And you could also count the colour upgrades to the Gameboy, Neo Geo Pocket and Wonderswan.

    I'm sensing a pattern here...

  • orangpelupa #10 2 years ago

    i have the urge to buy 3DS on launch-day but according to "History of DS family", the better, revised DS will come later (Lite). and after that will come DS with new feature (DSi), then the big one came (XL).

    i guess i will wait for 3DS Lite :D
    those current design of 3DS have smaller 4:3 touchscreen than DS Lite :(
    Edited by 1 at 13/07/10 @ 16:31

  • tossum #11 2 years ago

    For bugger bastard sake Ninty, put a second analogue stick on it, LIKE A NORMAL CONTROLLER!

  • Vin #12 2 years ago

    Won't stop the release of the 3DS+.

    Incremental update, same price!

  • androidave #13 2 years ago

    The 3DS doesn't look final to me.. It looks odd with the different shaped / sized screens, they need to be the same..

  • alcides #14 2 years ago

    @androidave

    No they don't. But it's a pity alright. At least the buttons fit, the way it is designed.
    I am personally affraid that they will focus more on the 3D screen and less on the touch screen.

    I don't like Nintendogs + Cats' compromise, for example.

  • Lusterpurge #15 2 years ago

    Misleading article title. He is saying that television sized 3D screens are possible, not that the 3DS should have larger screens than they do right now. I think resolution is a bigger concern than the actual screen size (though, the screen size IS smaller than the DSi, so maybe they have room to grow still).