Analog pad and motion controls I think.

I really think they should have increased the bottom screen size though and made it capacitive so we could finally do away with those screen wrecking styli.

The itouch is proof to me that touch controls via finger are not good at executing concrete commands.  Some game mechanics need that kind of execution, and some don't.  Wii Sports Resort shines with fluid motion controls, but a mario or mega man game, where I have to jump, shoot, or dash, exactly when I hit the button, is going to require a concrete control scheme.  Seriously, check out the itouch, a lot of games suffer from a lack of a stylus.

This Wii generation is tricking people into thinking completely intuitive controls are what the pinnacle of video gaming has been all about, as though it is the ideal end point to perfection.  So many games are satisfying by learning tough and rigid control schemes, something that tactile button presses deliver remarkably well.

Also, a game like Sword Fighting in Wii Sports will quickly become frustrating if the motion controls become so accurate that only professional swordsmen can be good at it.  The utility of motion technology slowly drops off the more it improves because most people simply don't have the skill the acknowledge the increase in technology.  In a nutshell, a stylus still has all the reason to exist still, for a game machine that is.

Whether it is or not isn't really an issue since the NGP also has dual analog sticks as well as the capacitive touchscreen and rear touchpad.

I am just saying that the NGP touchscreen has a lot more potential than the 3DS touchscreen.

nobody notices it, but i think the secret weapon of the 3DS would be the 3D cameras-- who wouldn't buy into making 3D pictures and videos on a portable? Once mummies and kiddies get one, thats going to be the final nail in the coffin for old sony and NGP. Remember, casual and non-gamers>>hardcore gamers.

So is Ocarina of Time the only 3DS game you've seen? Have you looked at either of the Resident Evil titles, which are at or above the fidelity of Gamecube games?

I've always been able to use the stylus and fingers for my DSL, (DSi), and DSiXL.

On the other hand, the non stylus touch screens are completely incompatable and you have to use your fingers.

I only use stylus for accuracy and usually use my fingers while playing with DSiXL touch screen, currently.

One thing nice about the contour of a pen shaped stylus is that it has very fine and specific point at the tip, but it also feels natural in your hand.  It allows you to make fluid swipes and strokes, but also gives you the option for pin point presses.  I think it has a middle ground quality to it in a way.

It's not as simple as an already accesible button press, and it's not as fluid as an actual finger swipe, but it can do both at least failry well, rather than each really well.  But it can do it all with one mechanism.  The NGP mainly opts for the very fluid finger motion technology, having it both on the front and on the back (I do think that back finger track pad idea is pretty slick).

I don't like using the iPod much, because it doesn't use a stylus :s

I think you're overestimating the impact of the 3D camera. Sure it will be nice, but it's not something that casual gamers will flock to in droves. The 3DS is likely to be the only place where they can view it anyway, so it won't be very practical either.

IMO, everyone is eagerly waiting to see if this 3DS will catch on. Nobody can say for sure until we see some results.