Nintendo’s PR department has had their hands full since the recent launch of the company’s new portable, the 3DS. While reviews of the actual hardware have been mostly positive across the gaming landscape, that hasn’t stopped the Interwebs from causing a ruckus about various aspects of the 3D entertainment gadget, including everything from the system’s price to a console crashing “black screen of death.”

It hasn’t been the smoothest launch Nintendo has ever seen. Now it seems the headache train is leaving the station once again. However this time, Nintendo has issued an official response.

Nintendo Head of Communications Robert Saunders released an official statement to MaxConsole after more complaints of headaches caused by viewing games in the crazy third dimension began to surface. Here’s what he had to say:

"We have shown Nintendo 3DS at multiple events around the world to literally hundreds of thousands of people and have received very few negative comments. As with anything that requires focus, from reading to staring at a computer screen, taking breaks frequent breaks is always recommended. When viewing any kind of 3D images (TV, movies etc.), some people might experience minor discomfort. The effects are short term and have no lasting effect, in fact most players can continue after taking a short break. The Nintendo 3D was designed with a 3D depth slider that lets users adjust the 3D effect to a level that suits them for optimum enjoyment."

As much as it’s incredibly easy to sympathize with someone who just dropped $250 on a new device only to have it give them headaches, Nintendo really has covered all their bases on this one by issuing 3DS health warnings. They never once tried to hide the fact that headaches might be a possibility for some players. The inclusion of the depth-slider, and  the insistence that players take the occasional break -- which heaven forbid gamers actually listen to -- both serve as admissions that we simply don't know how 3D will effect each individual. Therefore, Nintendo has done their best to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for all users.

Obviously everyone is excited and wants to be a part of this new facet of gaming, but understanding that it’s still a new technology is important here. Even more key is to remember that no new tech comes without a few hitches along the way.

Again, dropping a large amount of money on something that causes discomfort is far from ideal, but Nintendo isn’t forcing anyone to buy these things -- a point that also seems to be lost on those griping about the 3DS’s price. Unfortunately, it is a $250 gamble that the machine might give you a headache, but it is one that both the media and Nintendo have done a good job of making potential buyers aware of.

What does the Rant crowd think? Does Nintendo need to do something more about the 3DS and the headache claims, or is this something that consumers have been educated enough on, and should know by now that it’s just one of the risks and downsides of a new technology? I know more than a handful of people that can't play first-person shooters because it makes them dizzy and nauseous. Should they be crying foul to Bungie and Infinity Ward?

Source: MaxConsole