Tips and Tricks - Nintendo 3DS launch round-up

The Nintendo 3DS is being billed as the biggest handheld gaming console launch to date, though this may be meaningless with other comparable multi-function devices such as iPhones drawing larger launch lines and sales.

If you did pick up a 3DS or expect to soon, here are some tips to get the most out of it:

• Patch it. Yes, it just launched Sunday and there's already an update to the firmware that supposedly fixes a problem with suspending games - though some reports indicate it's not fully fixed yet. Instead of your game, you may get a big ol' error message telling you to hold down the Power button to fully power down, so yes, you should be extra careful and save early and often until this is sorted. If the patch doesn't fix things, Nintendo suggests you contact customer support.
• Extend battery life. You can extend the estimated 3 hours from the built-in battery by turning off WiFi and dialing down the 3D. But that's no way to live! Consider geting a battery extender such as the Universal Gadget Wrist Charger (ThinkGeek calls it the Bracer of Battery Life +2) which also supports the DSi, PSP and most phones including the iPhone. Or get a 3DS battery replacement: the Nyko Power Pak+ can reportedly buy you 5-6 hours on a charge.
• Improve backward compatible DS games. If your original Nintendo DS games don't look good on your 3DS (as we've heard many report!), there is a workaround. Hold Select and Start when you boot up a DS game to get it to load in its original resolution with black borders added (think letterboxing) instead of having it reshaped to fit the 3DS screen.
• DSiWare denied. Don't expect to have access to your DSiWare purchases, at least not yet. Though Nintendo has promised they'll somehow be transferrable from DSi to 3DS, the "how" and "when" haven't been revealed yet. Simply plugging in the SD card where you downloaded prior DSi purchases won't work.
• Don't make too many friends. Yes, there are now universal friends codes (still a hard-to-remember bunch of numbers - but at least no longer different per game). Alas, your friends list can quickly become unmanageable: It only displays in the order added, so you'll need to scan it to see who's actually online. If you're wondering, it's capped at 100.
• Camera tricks. The outer camera is higher resolution and can take 3D photos, so use that except when you need a quick self-portrait. There's a timer if you want to get yourself in the picture. Make sure the depth slider isn't all the way down if you don't see the 3D effect. Press Y to switch between taking pictures and viewing your gallery.
• Give it a rest. Apart from giving your battery a rest, you may want to limit your gaming sessions for another reason: Some gamers report getting headaches from the system. Nintendo says few have complained about health problems related to the newfangled 3D technology, but recommends turning down the effects with the 3DS' depth slider and/or taking breaks to rest your eyes and brain.