Nintendo Previews the 3DS: Release Date, Launch Titles, Software & Price Announced

This morning Nintendo unveiled some more information regarding their new handheld gaming platform, the Nintendo 3DS, to a large audience.

IGN held a live blogging event for the preview, and I was pleasantly surprised by what Nintendo’s spokesman had to offer. Check out all of the announcements after the jump!

Nintendo America spokesman, Reggie Fils-Aime, announced a whole slew of information about the new system.

Calling the system “inherently social” and “a category of one,” Fils-Aime discussed the new features of the 3DS, as well as some improved ones.

To start off, the ever-irritating Friend Codes are STILL in place for the 3DS — but this time around it will be one code per device. This is a major change from the previous iteration of the Friend Code, which had a different code for every game. I’m happy to hear that Friend Codes will be a lot simpler to share with other 3DS users, but I would have preferred to see them gone altogether.

Some new interesting features will (obviously) be centered around the 3D software. Fils-Aime announced that utilizing 3D technology without using 3D glasses makes the device incredibly unique, and is banking on that fact to attract more than just gamers to the handheld device. He hopes that the 3DS will become a “mass market” device, probably in ways simliar to how the iPhone/iTouch and other such devices have become mainstream.

Not only will games be in 3D, but the device will also offer 3D video playback and has the ability to take 3D pictures. This will basically be a first; offering user-made videos and pictures completely in 3D. This is made possible due to the 3DS’s two cameras found on the back of the device.

Unfortunately, there is a little bit of a caveat to the 3D system. Fils-Aime stated that the 3D technology is “not for everyone”, more specifically that those with an astigmatism are discouraged to use it. That came as a major downside to me, since I know a bunch of friends with astigmatisms.

Here are some more general descriptions of the 3DS:

  • The top screen is 10% larger than the DS
  • It is equipped with a gyroscope which will sense movement of the device
  • 3 cameras: One in the front to take pictures/record the user and two on the back for 3D recording and picture-taking
  • Wi-Fi enabled
  • SD card slot available.  3DS comes with 2 GB of storage.
  • A “charging cradle” will be used to charge the device
  • Two colors will be available at launch: “Cosmic Black” & “Aqua Blue”

As with any new device, the software on the 3DS will be updated.  Fils-Aime calls the new software “smoother and robust.” Not entirely sure what that means, but I suppose it will just be a nice upgrade from what the DS used.

Below are some quick bullets on what the 3DS will come with pre-installed:

  • Applications – everything will be organized on a “home screen” and users can easily shift through different apps, even while playing games
  • Some mini games – one will be a shooter called FaceRaiders and the other will be a racing game called ARGames. The racing game will view “your world” through the camera and make racing levels off of it.
  • Activity Log – similar to what you see on the Wii: tracks your time in games and also your movement with the gyroscope
  • Pedometer – this will be what specifically tracks your movement and will award you “coins” when you have walked a certain distance. These can be spent for applications or bonuses in games
  • MiiMaker – very simliar to the one found on the Wii, but this time it can take a picture of your face using the front-facing camera to build a preliminary Mii that you can adjust
  • Street Pass – this allows swapping to occur between 3DS users, even while the device is in sleep mode. MiiMaker will use it to add and share Miis.  Some games for the 3DS will also be utilizing the software.
  • Internet browser
  • 3D picture and video recorder
  • Digital Game Downloads – much like the Wii, the 3DS will also have an application to download old Gameboy and Gameboy Color titles, as well as some originals.

Finally, we can talk about the games that will be released to coincide with the launch. Fils-Aime announced that over 30 titles are to be released on the 3DS close to its launch.  Below are some of the original titles that were announced today:

  • PilotWings Resort – Simliar to Wii Sports Resort but will involve competing in airborne challenges in total 3D
  • Nintendogs & Cats – The extremely popular title is back with cats this time.  A new feature will use the camera so that your pet can recognize your face.  Lots of variation in the pets this time, even with body types as well!
  • Nintendo’s UK magazine is also reporting that an original title is in development from the creator of Sonic the Hedgehog, Yuji Naka.

There are also a bunch of third party developers that have announced 3DS games:

  • Dead or Alive is coming back, the developers are saying that it is “a call to all the fighters to come back and enjoy the game again.” No comment about the state of female breasts in this game, thus disappointing everyone who perked up when reading “Dead or Alive”
  • Konami is releasing Pro Evolution Soccer 3D
  • And Madden is also jumping on the 3D sports wagon with Madden Football 3D, with the promise of “more simplistic gameplay” for the device
  • Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition is heading our way, with over 35 fighters to choose from.
  • Asphalt 3D
  • Ridge Racer 3D
  • RE: Mercenaries 3D
  • Lego Star Wars III: Clone Wars

Ubisoft was also announcing a bunch of games at the concurrent European preview.  In total there will be 8 launch titles from Ubisoft. Some of them are:

  • Rabbids 3D
  • Rayman 3D
  • Splinter Cell 3D
  • Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D
  • Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars tactics game
  • Driver: Renegade

Unfortunately, I am not all that excited about the titles that were announced. It seems like Nintendo is going to ride on this “Wow! 3D!” train for a while before titles come out that have a little more depth to them. I am really interested in seeing where the 3DS will take us in terms of gaming, and their promise of being “inherently social” as well.

The Nintendo 3DS will be coming to the States on March 27th and will be $249.99. Now it’s your turn, readers! What are you excited and skeptical about in terms of the 3DS?

[via IGN]