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A forceful push toward stereoscopic-3D gaming marked 2010. Sony heralded the technology as the next big thing in 2011. Nintendo has pinned the future of its next handheld on the feature as well. But should gamers invest in 3D?
What gadgets do I need to play in 3D?
The 3DS is currently available in Japan, with a North American release set for late March. All 3DS games will support 3D. The device features a slider that controls the depth of field for the glasses-free display.
But for home-console platforms the 3D experience is not so simple. The PlayStation 3 offers one of the most compelling packages for those interested, while the PC and 360 support much less variety. Besides owning 3D-capable hardware (sorry Wii fans), consumers also need a display setup that supports 3D viewing. Graphics-card manufacturer NVIDIA has several 3D solutions on the market, but the devices also require an expensive "3D-vision ready" display and a reasonably powerful PC (sorry Apple owners).
For consoles, you'll need a 3D TV, and choosing the right setup is a task all its own. Prices are on the downswing this time of year, so a nice 55" 3D set will only set you back around $2000 (not bad, relatively speaking). It's a great time to retire that 480i SD set and hang a flat-screen TV in the living room. (You can use "saving space" as an excuse.)
Once you've chosen a display, you'll want to watch and play 3D content. Depending on the manufacturer, shutter-glasses come bundled with the set or are available separately. Unfortunately, the glasses are a must; everything looks blurry without them. You can determine an optimal size by measuring your living room. A 55" LED in a 100-square-foot apartment is probably a bad idea. Make sure to be aware of your device's maximum viewing angle. Here's a simple screen-size calculator to help you out.
Several cable providers are now offering 3D films and sports events through their services. For specific movies, a PS3 and a 3D Blu-ray will do you just fine. Don't worry about a 3D Blu-ray player. Also, unlike the 3DS, not every game on the PS3 is 3D capable.
HDMI cables are necessary to display 3D. Ever had a tech-savvy friend rant about how any HDMI cable will do? "Monster cables are overpriced," he said. "No reason to pay extra." Well, HDMI specifications have changed, and for 3D content, you'll have to go with the pricier HDMI 1.4 and 1.4a. For the PS3, however, HDMI 1.3 will suffice. Software built into the PS3 produces its 3D capability.
Wait a second. I have a 360. Does it play 3D games?
Only a few games feature 3D compatibility on the Xbox 360: Crysis 2, Call of Duty: Black Ops, and Avatar are the most notable.
What are some of the best 3D-enabled titles?
A few 3D enabled games have high praise: Killzone 3, Super Stardust HD, Motorstorm 3D Rift, and Wipeout HD. You can find a list of 3D-enabled PS3 and PC games here and here.