We first talked about this particular emulator back in March, but now you can download its first publicly available version. Unlike other emulators, 3DNES takes on the challenge of converting games from the unforgettable Nintendo NES into 3D versions. The conversion isn't perfect, and some games are less tolerant than others, but it's definitely worth exploring its different modes and revisiting classics from a different perspective.
From 2D to 3D: A Controversial Transition
Not all games made a good transition from 2D to 3D. Super Mario 64 is undeniably one of the most notable and successful hits of that transition, while other franchises fared much worse. Of course, this argument can be debated endlessly, but what brings us here today isn't the 2D-3D conversion as a development decision, but as another feature in an emulator. That puts us face to face with 3DNES again, which we covered in March. 3DNES is based on the Unity3D graphics engine and uses a special algorithm to recalculate 3D objects from the data available in the emulated PPU.
Download and Features
At the time of its announcement, 3DNES didn't have an installer, but that's just changed. All interested parties can download the complete package (in less than 60 megabytes) and start experimenting with their own ROMs. A very interesting detail to consider is that 3DNES isn't limited to 3D conversion. It also offers additional filters, such as a vignette and an analog filter to imitate old tube televisions. However, 3DNES doesn't support ROMs stored inside a zip file. That forces the user to unzip each game, but it's not the end of the world either. Over time, it's very likely that 3DNES will incorporate that support.
First Impressions
As for the results, let's say I have mixed feelings. There may be an issue with my current video controller, but the conversions weren't as clean as they appear in the videos. Super Mario Bros. delivered the best quality, while Balloon Fight left a lot to be desired, and Tennis became impossible to play. 3DNES adopts a pay what you want model, similar to the Humble Bundle. You don't need to donate anything to download it, but a couple of bills will surely help its development.
