In the early days of the 3DS, Nintendo was keen to promote the portable as an all-round entertainment device; the Nintendo Video channel was relatively prominent with weekly updates, and in Europe there was even a Eurosport channel with regular videos. There were multiple issues with this approach - there wasn't enough content or app support (YouTube was a long time coming and wasn't particularly good when it arrived) and the limited resolution of the system didn't suit long-form video. Much was dependent on the effort applied to content, and it seemed that for every crisp animation with attractive stereoscopic 3D there would also be a grainy video with phoned-in layering.
It didn't take long for Nintendo to ditch the premise of the 3DS as anything more than a delightful little games machine, and it's enjoyed plenty of success over the past couple of years with that pitch alone. It plays games, many of which are unique to the console; that's been its selling point.
We doubt Nintendo will go big on the video entertainment angle again, though the release of the Pikmin Short Movies on both Wii U and 3DS did at least bring some well-optimised content to the portable. We've also seen occasional episodes of Cat Mario on the store in the West, too.
In Japan, however, shows like Cat Mario are a weekly affair, and the prize for the most random addition to the eShop over the festive period goes to 2009 Pixar movie Up. Available to purchase on the Japanese eShop since 24th December, it seems to be an option for those that fancy enjoying a 3D movie on the go.
As we've said above, the limited screen resolution can make extensive video offerings on the 3DS unlikely, but animated films like this could certainly look reasonable on the portable; the improved 3D effect on the New Nintendo 3DS won't do any harm either.
We doubt we're about to see a flood of high-profile movies arrive on the 3DS eShop, but it'll be interesting to see whether Nintendo explores this area a little more in 2015; cross-platform purchases for HD versions on Wii U could make sense, too...
[source destructoid.com, via nintendo.co.jp]
Comments 32
Seems nifty. I wonder if Nintendo have more film releases planned? Evil Dead in 3D, anyone?
Oh. Well you guys pretty much nailed it on the head when you called it random.
One of my favorite movies from the past 10 years.
Hahaha yeah, that's pretty random.
Nintendo should partner with Google and let us rent/buy movies on the Wii U eShop with cross-buy on the Google Play Store.
Which is mostly useless to me since they'll stream in Italian anyway with no option for English/original audio.
the most important part - What are they charging in Yen to Euro?
Haha, I wasn't expecting to read this in the morning.
Or Yen to Pound!
Honestly I couldn't care less about watching movies on a 3DS. Also just seems really random and useless to release this [now] instead of say a more recent Pixar movie.
@readyletsgo A figure on the page that I think is price seems to convert to over $20, as I'm not sure I don't want to commit (maybe I've got it wrong).
Well that only took almost 4 years.
I would buy one just out of curiosity. Would prefer Dragons 2 though.
@WalupeachyTime Pssh everyone knows that Army Of Darkness is the best
This is my...BOOMSTICK!
Guys, the thing that the article doesn't say is that this price is insanely expensive even for Japanese standards. For a 5 year old movie to cost as much as a newly released DVD or a game with no special features is crazy. I can't see anyone buying this way.
I'd get it for my Japanese 3DS if it were in English, but id guess its probably not.
... I wonder if FS3D isn't out in the West, just because it's "not a game...?" But they have since released Pokemon Art Academy so I have no idea.
Come on Nintendo, I'm still waiting!!!
I want the Youtube app to support stereoscopic 3d! It's not hard to do, come on Nintendo! There are millions of 3d videos on Youtube, it will make 3DS the only device that can play them without wearing any glasses.
Yeah, I'm pretty happy with my 3D Blu-Ray.
Up is one of my most favorite Pixar movies! Although I don't think I'd buy it on my 3DS. Still cool though!
Fun fact: Up's Japanese name translates to something like "Old man Carl's flying house".
Please realease other Pixar movies in the west like this, Cars, Toy Story, and others. (Yeah, I am that small crowd that's favorite Pixar movie is Cars)
There are still updates all the time to Nintendo Video.
I'd buy it, only for a reasonable price. The movie is pretty old
So they're asking about as much as a Blu-ray costs for something you can't even view in DVD resolution? Plus, Disney Movie Club makes getting their movies much cheaper, so there's no way I'd pay that much for one of their movies anyway.
@iphys Look at the cost of new copies of DVDs and Blu Rays in Japan. If anything, this is a bargain over there....
Im actually really excited to hear this. I was one of the few that was really looking forward to 3D movies pitch back at the beginning and I loved the 3D trailers that came along sometimes on Nintendo Video. I hope things like this make thier way west.
More 3D movies and bring them to the West!
bring this to the west....i love up
Not only it's too expensive (almost $30), if you checked the demo video in eShop (not sure now, but at least when it was first available), the demo video is in 2D (not 3D) and in English (not Japanese). It just gave me a feel that Nintendo don't want to sell this, just simply throw something Disney gave to the shelf.
well, atleats they chose a movie most people will like, and not some obscure anime
@Nintendian The "New" 3ds does support 3d Youtube videos.
This is when you see the short-sightedness of some of Nintendo's decisions with its recent platforms...
It makes a console that could have potentially offered a stunning no glasses required 3d movie viewing experience but kinda of ruin the idea before it's ever had a fair chance by making the resolution a bit too low and the firmware and services a bit crap for purpose.
As well as being a great little handheld video game console, the 3DS could have been a pretty awesome little 3D movie player too. Sadly; nope. So much potential that simply wasn't realised
Well at least it does have a great library of games at this point in time and as a game-centric portable it is certainly very good as such.
"cross-platform purchases for HD versions on Wii U could make sense, too..."
And we all know that Nintendo wrote the book on 'cross platform' and 'making sense'.
What happened to the 10 minute limit on 3D movies. Has it been removed.
I have watched Avatar in 3D on the 3DS but in 10 minute chunks.
'Hopefully' the NEW 3DS with its wireless PC access and higher speed WIFI connectivity, will allow streaming or uploading of full 3D movies from PC.
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