The data has shown that since 2009 Nintendo has lost a large portion of its market share to iOS and Android powered devices. In 2009 Nintendo enjoyed 70% US market share with Sony holding 11% with their Playstation portable console (PSP). In 2010 Sony’s share was reduced to just 9% whilst Nintendo suffered the largest loss whilst still retaining 57% of the overall market share.

The big winner’s were iOS and Android which increased their combined market share by 13%, sadly the data didn’t show which operating system gained the most but we are sure this data will be made available in the future.

Although the 13% loss could be cause for concern for traditional handhelds you must remember that Nintendo has just released the 3DS and Sony has just released their Xperia play and is thought to be releasing the Sony NGP (PSP2) sometime later this year. The two heavy hitters in the portable gaming market will hope that their new devices will provide enough incentive for gamers to turn off their phones.

That’s no mean feat though, mobile gaming is a huge market where players want games that can be picked up and put down during spare minutes throughout the day. That’s one feature that traditional handhelds find difficult to compete with. That’s not to say traditional consoles are dead and buried, far from it in fact – they still hold 66% of the overall US market share due to their superior specs and of course catalogue of games that are unlikely to go truly mobile anytime soon.

Do you think the mobile phone will eventually replace the traditional handheld gaming console?

via: Cnet

iOS and Android Eat Into Nintendo DS and Sony PSP Sales is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The fact that this declaration is qualified as being the highest for “hand held” devices is making some gaming experts suggest that the opening sales have actually fallen below the expected numbers. This has been largely based on the perceived lack of US advertising which accompanied the launch and reports of poor turnouts to stockists, at least compared to earlier successes such as the Wii.

Another factor which needs to be taken into account is the saturated games market which the 3DS was launched into. If you want a mobile games playing device then you currently have a lot more options than ever before. Is it possible that the iPhone, iPad and Android models around offer a sufficient portable gaming experience for most of us now? Clearly the Nintendo machine gives better graphics and a stunning 3D image but is that enough for people to shell out more money on another machine?

It has been suggested the “highest” sale numbers quoted by Nintendo are actually “shipped” figures. That would mean that these units have been sent from a retail warehouse to a store but not necessarily bought by an ordinary consumer. Analysts are already suggesting that the 3DS long term sales figures will not come up to the level of the original DS.

Do you intend to use a Nintendo 3DS and another hand held gadget, or is one enough for you?

How Good are the Nintendo 3DS Sales Figures? is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The hugely popular app has had another version released lately, Angry Birds Rio, and it was downloaded an astonishing 10 million times in the first 10 days it was available, according to figures released by the developer Rovio Mobile.

The Twitter message from the Finnish firm said that Angry Birds Rio is “breaking all records” and gave a “massive” thanks to all of the fans who had so far downloaded it.

1 million downloads a day is the figure counting both free downloads for Android devices and the $1 ones for users of Apple phones.

Those who haven’t yet tried out the Copacabana flavoured version of the game may not realise that there are some differences between this and the original game. As it is a tie in with the Rio animated film the characters Jewel and Blu make an appearance in the game and you need to free other birds from cages throughout the 60 levels it contains.

Bosses - sales equally spectacular

Rainforests and snow capped mountains (are you sure we are in Rio?) give a varied backdrop to the gameplay and the Brazilian element added to the traditional Angry Birds music has attracted a wide range of comments from players.

If you are a fan of the original Angry Birds game and have tried the Rio version do you think it is as good, or has the film tie in had a detrimental effect on it?

10 Million Downloads and Counting for Angry Birds Rio is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

We’ve received word that Toys ‘R’ Us will be opening their Brent Cross store at Midnight on Thursday evening (24th March) whilst Asda plans to make the device available at Midnight at 200 of their stores nationwide. Both brands plan to entice early birds by offering some extra merchandise if they turn up during the early hours of Friday morning.

Toys ‘R’ us is offering anyone who buys from their Brent Cross store a FREE Pilotwings Resort game to go with their new console which could be worth the late night. If you bundle the console with Rayman 3D or Super Monkey Ball 3D you can also claim a free case.

Asda are taking a slightly broader and longer approach with their offers, basically any customer who purchases a 3DS from their store within the first three days will also be able to pick up a game for £15. They will be able to choose from Nintendo Poodle, Super Monkey Ball, PES, Rayman, Splinter Cell, Ridge Racer, Sims 3, Ghost Recon Shadow War or Asphalt, Super Street Fighter, Pilot Wing, Lego Star Wars, Nintendogs Golden Retriever, Nintendogs Bulldog– all of which are 3D games.

Asda is also offering pre-orders on their website for £187, again offering £15 games within the first three days of it going on sale. Other retailers that will open their doors early include Game (who are handing out raffle tickets with the chance of winning a free console), Gamestation and flagship HMV stores.

In stark contrast Apple is holding off purchases until 5pm on Friday, we can’t help wondering which brand has the correct approach to a product launch?

Will you be heading out in the small hours to pick a 3DS?

Retailers Set To Open at 12AM for Nintendo 3DS Release Date is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

The game is visually very different from the original game and takes on a slightly different format; it has been designed to run along side the upcoming 3D Film which uses the same title.

The game will be much larger than the current individual level packs which usually come with 18 levels. They will roll out levels on a daily basis much like the advent calendar seasons game before Christmas.

Rio will be the first game in the series to feature bosses. In this picture a large bird posses a threat – note: It’s not a pesky pig.

Rovio is promising more fun than a barrell fun of monkeys. This picture comes complete with monkeys all striking a different pose and complete with bananas.

The game will feature ‘Juicy acheivements’ which will bring a whole new depth to the gameplay. It’s looking like you’ll need many more hours to play the game – as if the original wasn’t addictive enough!

Are you looking forward to Angry Birds Rio? What do you make of the pictures?

Angry Birds Rio to Feature Bosses, Monkeys and Achievements is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

Interestingly the site is available to view in both 2D and 3D, the same as the 3DS – granted not true 3D but a good effort all the same. Users can browse the latest titles from the homepage and click through to see them in more detail. You can view a blurb, release date, screenshots, case art and even pre-order titles directly from the site.

When the 3DS launches a number of titles will be available including Splinter Cell 3D, Driver Renegade, Rayman, Rabbids and Tom Clancey’s Ghost Recon – all of which look great.

The ground breaking console uses parallax technology that allows users to experience 3D without the use of glasses. The RRP for the 3DS has already been slashed from £220 to £187 by retailers including Amazon.co.uk who are offering free delivery on all pre-orders.

Are you looking forward to the Nintendo 3DS? Which games look good to you?

Nintendo 3DS Games Site Launched By Ubisoft is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

A couple of days ago Rovio, the geniuses behind Angry Birds, announced that they would roll out a brand new St.Patrick’s Day add on to the seasons pack. It seems St. Paddy’s day has come early this year as the update is available on iOS to download now.

At first glance there seems to be 15 new levels on offer (although you can unlock a few more at the end of the game).

The same array of birds is on offer to take on an army of fortified green pigs, some of which have protective stove pipe hats on their heads. The levels are scattered with pots of gold and shamrocks all in celebration of next weeks St. Patrick’s day.

We mentioned earlier that there are 15 levels with the promise of three extra ones if you ‘like’ the game on Facebook.

So have you taken on those pesky pigs yet?

Angry Birds Seasons – St. Patrick’s update available now is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

What does it Look Like?

The 3DS looks quite smart really. The first thing you will notice is that is comes with two screens much like the current DS and DS Lite.The bigger one at the top (3.53 inches) provides 3D images but also works in plain old 2D. The lower screen (3 inch) is the one which gives you touchscreen functionality. The casing and controls are solid enough and look built to last much like the entire range of Nintendo handhelds stretching all the way back to the Gameboy.

What does it Come with?

The Nintendo 3DS has a motion sensor and a gyro sensor, which allow you really experience the likes of the driving and flying games the way they should be played. You tilt or twist and the game reacts in the same way, much like the iPhone.

Another interesting inclusion is the analogue stick which opens up the DS to a generation who prefer anologue to the more traditional D pad. It will make genres like racing, first person shooters and platform games more playable and make cross platform gaming with the Wii a possible reality in the future.

The 3DS comes with 3 cameras, one front facing and two rear facing. The two on the back can take 3D images (more on this later) and the front one takes snaps like before and provides motion detection for games.

 It also has an enhanced microphone allowing some games to respond to sound, this became mainstream on the original DS which at the time was hugely popular, believe us when we say the enhanced mic on the 3DS makes sound recording and gaming even better.

The 3D Depth Slider housed on the side of the screen lets you adjust the level of 3D imaging you would like to see, as well as a 2GB Nintendo Game Card thrown in.

What can I Play on it?

 There are a number of dedicated 3D games coming out – Resident Evil, The Sims, Mario Kart with over 70 titles in development – while the new device will also be fully backwards compatible with DS games. Apart from this you can also connect to the internet to download 3D movies and play games online.

New titles are being added and are emerging all the time, we heard about the new Lego Pirates of the Caribbean game the other day which will come with a new 3D duel mode – we can expect a lot more ‘mini’ games on the 3DS based on social and multiplayer action – Nintendo are calling this service Streetpass.

How does it Perform?

The 2D gaming is excellent, but it is the 3D option which most of us are interested in, and this is what looks like taking a bit of getting used to. The 3D Depth Slider might appear to be a fairly useless addition at first but early testing has shown that it is actually essential, as different types of game and indeed eyes need a different level of depth adjustment.

The Nintendo 3DS suffers from a flickering screen when it is in 3D mode and the device is moved. However, keep the 3DS still and you will get the full benefit of 3D but not in a cheesy 80′s way. The system gives depth to backgrounds with great detail being worked into scenery and spaces. It does take a bit of getting used to and it won’t be for everyones taste.

As mentioned earlier the 3DS can take 3D pictures, well with a little help from a clever piece of software. Basically the dual cameras on the back snap a photo producing what can best be described as a messy blur. You then simply tweak the two photos together until the 3D image is rendered, it’s a system that is as simple as it is brilliant and one that we feel will be replicated by other brands and manufacturers.

Watching 3D films on the 3DS isn’t as thrilling or indepth as when using passive at the cinema, you could never expect that from such a small device. It’s great for short films and footage which when you consider Nintendo’s own 30 minute usage guideline makes sense, you shouldn’t use the 3D mode for more than half an hour so watching long films on it should be out of the question anyway. This also ties in well with Nintendo’s new spotpass Wi-Fi service, users will be able to access shorts of Shaun the Sheep, Sky 3D and other news services including Eurosport for the big kids among us.

Summary

 Early indications are that the 3D function is going to take a bit of getting used to in order to adjust our eyes and find the right level of image depth and device steadiness. We are pretty confident that most people will easily be able to get used to it, we did and loved the added depth this simple system gives – no glasses and no fuss.

The 2D presentation is pretty faultless, although impressive the 3D technology is still in its infancy, we are sure the system on the whole will be wildly popular, whether the 3D side of it will catch on remains to be seen. If it does we may, just may, have a new way to play on hand held devices.

Availability

The 3DS is available for £197 from Amazon with free delivery (best deal at time of writing).

Nintendo 3DS Review is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

About the Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS launches on the 25^th March with pre-orders available now. Nintendo’s latest offering will come with dual screens, one of which will be 3D enabled – the best thing is that you don’t need to wear glasses for the 3D to work.

The 3DS now has three cameras, two rear facing and one front facing. The extra camera allows users to control certain games using motion while the inbuilt gyroscope allows movement by tilting or twisting the device much like the Apple iPhone. Both 3D enabled and current games will work on the 3DS and users will also be able to download new content including 3D films and add-ons.

The Competition

To enter the competition answer the following question.

Read our Nintendo 3DS review for a hint and be sure to spread the word on Facebook by liking this page or becoming a fan.

Closing date and Conditions

Opening date: 18th February 2011

Closing date: 23:59 18th March 2011

This competition is open to UK residents only and no cash alternative will be offered. The winner will be contacted via their registered email within 7 working days of the competition ending.

This prize has been supplied courtesy of Argos, who provides a wide range of Nintendo 3DS consoles, accessories and 3DS games. Competition prize will be delivered within 28 days of the competition closing and may vary slightly from the prize shown.

Win a Nintendo 3DS is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos

This information has been made public thanks to a demo video released by the online gaming people at Gamespot. The fine little video which they have gotten hold of gives us all the chance to look over the new handheld gaming device at our leisure, and very nice it is too.   

So what does the NGP have in the way of controls then? To start with there are two analogue sticks then a rather nice 5 inch touch screen, tilt sensitive gyroscopic controls and those all important, iconic PlayStation controls which are absolutely essential . This means that the PSP2 is absolutely jam packed with control options, of course.

The price of this fine little machine is still to be revealed by Sony, and it looks like it will be hitting the shelves at the end of this year. Previous rumours and leaks have confirmed that it should come with front and back cameras, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity among its top features.

Another important aspect of the launch is going to be the range of new, compatible games which new purchasers will be able to get hold off right from the beginning. It seems that the release is likely to be timed to coincide with the launch of titles such as Wipeout, Hot Shots, Killzone and Little BigPlanet.  

So now we know just about all it seems that there is to find out about the PSP2. Or as there some surprises still to be revealed which will make us even more eager to get our hands on one?

Source: CNET

A new video of the Sony PSP2 is a post from: Gadgets and gizmos