Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on Nintendo 3DS - Why 3D by Virtual and Augmented Reality for Nintendo in 2016

Sonic the Hedgehog is finally stepping up to 3D on a new platform.

The big news, which dropped on Tuesday September 29^th 2015, is that Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is coming to the Nintendo 3DS in Thursday October 8^th 2015 as reported in the article “3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 is coming to Nintendo 3DS next month”, published Tuesday, Sep 29 2015 By Albaraa Fahmy, DigitalSpy. 

The Japanese have been enjoying the 3D version on the Nintendo 3DS for some time now. The West was supposed to get a taste in September but alas it was delayed.

The game will only be available via download on eShop exclusive in North America, so Jamaicans, get you VPN in gear on your Wi-Fi Router to download this game to your Nintendo 3DS as explained in my blog article entitled “Cable Providers comply with BCJ Cable Channel Removal - How to install a VPN to Stream American Cable Channels on your Roku”.

So what so special about Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on Nintendo 3DS?

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on Nintendo 3DS - Why 3D Gaming will be revived by Virtual and Augmented Reality Gaming in 2016

Despite the prevalence of smartphones, portable gaming devices like the Nintendo 3DS are the mainstay of on-the-go gaming.

This may explain why Nintendo is yet to announce any major released in partnership with DeNa as yet despite signing deals with them to make smartphone and table version of their popular titles since March 2015 as reported in my blog article entitled “@DeNACorp and Nintendo partner for Smartphone and Tablet Games - Partnership to boost Mobile Games as VR and AR

Beckons in 2016”.

The 3D Version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has 3D features that the Nintendo 3DS supports and joins the list of games such as 3D Sonic the Hedgehog and 3D Gunstar Heroes that have seen a revival in the Third Dimension as reported in the article “Sega Announces '3D Sonic The Hedgehog 2' Coming To Nintendo eShop”, published September 30 2015 By Nicolo Josef V. Parungo, International Business Times.

But this version of the game may see more action from Miles ‘Tails’ Prower, Sonic's sidekick who has limited capabilities.  Breathing life into this dual-tailed character that can fly might make might make co-op modes and team play more interesting.

Check out this trailer for the Game as an example of gameplay for the 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2:

Not sure what the price will be, but based on the US$5.99 pricing for the 3D Sonic the Hedgehog and 3D Gunstar Heroes gases, expect to purchase this game for the same price as predicted in the article “3D Sonic The Hedgehog 2 Joins Sega’s Other 3D Classics On October 8”, published September 28, 2015 By Jenni, SiliconEra.

With Nintendo's interest in 3D on the rise, is this an indication of things to come from Nintendo? Might there be a VR or AR Console in the works from Nintendo later this year as well as in 2016?

Nintendo needs to build a VR and AR Console - Silicon Valley and Samsung coming to dominate Console Market  

More interestingly, this points to the coming of VR (Virtual Reality) and AR (Augmented Reality) gaming as predicted in my blog article entitled  “GamesCom 2015 in Germany - Why VR will save Video Games and Why Jamaica needs a Design and Developer Video Game Conference”, as these is really 2D gaming that renders the game to appear 3D.

VR and AR can do this very well and has the added bonus of being immersive, as VR and AR are true 3D.

The Rivalry between the Console makers as well as the Silicon Valley companies looking to break into gaming via VR and AR is heating up for a 2016 showdown as I've predicted in my blog article entitled “Rivalry between “@Facebook and @HTC – @Google, @Microsoft, @Sony and @Samsung in VR as Video Game Console Savior and smartphones Extinction”.

Already, Samsung has fired the first shot across the bow in the Fourth Quarter of 2015. They’d launched their US$99 Samsung Gear VR which appears to be more of a gimmick to sell their smartphones as it has very little pre-announced 3D Gaming support as noted in my Geezam blog article entitled “US$99 Samsung Gear VR in November 2015 is a fanboy’s VR Dream”.  

Nintendo needs to capitalize on this interest in 3D and make their own VR headset. Until then, they can partner with Microsoft and make such games as the Pokemon Go available on the Hololens as I'd predicted in my MICO Wars Blog article entitled “How Free Pokemon Go Augmented Reality Game will be a hit for Nintendo in 2016”.  

With Microsoft Event at the Skylight at Moynihan Station on Tuesday October 6^th 2015 in New York City possibly being a launchpad for Hololens as predicted in my Geezam blog article entitled “Why Microsoft Skylight Event in New York means Surface 4 and Hololens are coming”, expect to hear more about Nintendo's VR and AR Gaming plans in the next few days leading up to Thursday October 8^th 2015.

Until then, 3D Version of Sonic the Hedgehog 2 on the Nintendo 3DS may be the closest we'll get to a VR-like experience on a Console-like device from Nintendo!