3D Classics

The Nintendo 3DS has had a torrid time post release and each week we seem to hear of another issue that the console will have to overcome. Originally we were all worried about the launch line up but now it seems we should also be worried about the development cycle of games.

The release of Excitebike on the Nintendo 3DS eShop last week marked an important moment for the companies struggling portable. It marked the beginning of the ‘3D Classics’ line up that the company had only briefly outlined in the console brief. This would serve as a collection of older classics remade with 3D effects. Since the release of Excitebikes we haven’t heard much about the future instalments. Now it appears that this series is being approached as a limited set.

The last Iwoto Asks article before the eShop launch hinted at the troubles Nintendo have faced when revamping these classic games. Nintendo explained that they had only targeted six titles for the 3D overhaul including Excitebikes and Xevious (the only other confirmed addition). The Interview didn’t mention the other four titles being developed or why such a small selection has been planned.

During the course of the article the 3DS software planner Takao Nakano explained that simply the addition of the 3D effects has been more challenging then anyone previously anticipated. When porting the top down shooter Xenvious they noticed issues that the 3D effects placed on the original games. In this instance the ship floating above the ground affected the gameplay by making the timing of the attacks off. The game animation also went out of sink and the development had never taken this into account.

The original development did not intend for players to notice the transition between the ship and the ground but the 3D effects would have to compensate for this. Overall it was estimated that the game took 20 times as long to develop as was originally intended.

Hopefully Nintendo can get passed this issue quickly and give us core games the chance to relive some classics. What games would you like to have the 3D treatment?