Sources say that Nintendo will release its new 3DS in Japan on February 26^th 2011, with a likely release date in North America and Europe in March 2011. The 3DS is a newer version of the Nintendo DS, with just a little more. The game controls include Touch screen, embedded microphone, A/B/X/Y face buttons, + Control Pad, L/R buttons, Start and Select buttons, “Slide Pad” that allows 360-degree analog input, one inner camera, two outer cameras, motion sensor and a gyro sensor. While other input controls include 3D Depth Slider to adjust level of 3D effect (can be scaled back or turned off completely depending on the preference of the user), Home button to call system function, Wireless switch to turn off wireless communications (even during game play), Power button. The telescoping stylus is approximately 4 inches when fully extended. No glasses required for this 3D action gaming.

The new price listing will be $299 (Â¥25,000) in Japan, and the expected price in North America will be somewhere en between $249 and $299. This price increase from the original DS launched at $149 in 2004, however this price increase should not concern users. This is because the 3DS has 3D movies, an online network, and even a camera. This new handheld device is starting to become more like a console. The new 3DS is being compared to smartphones, PSP, and even tablet computers.

Some featured titles include Nintendogs and Cats, DJ hero 3D, and Paper Mario. All your favorites are still here. Here is a complete list of games announced so far:

Nintendo

• § Animal Crossing
• § Kid Icarus: Uprising
• § Mario Kart
• § Nintendogs + Cats
• § Paper Mario
• § Pilotwings Resort
• § Star Fox 64 3D
• § Steel Diver

Activision

• § DJ Hero 3D

AQ Interactive

• § Cubic Ninja

Atlus

• § Etrian Odyssey
• § Shin Megami Tensei:
• § Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor
• § Shin Megami Tensei: Persona

Capcom

• § Resident Evil: Revelations
• § Super Street Fighter IV 3D

EA

• § FIFA Soccer
• § Madden NFL
• § The Sims 3

Gameloft

• § Asphalt GT

Harmonix

• § (Untitled Music Game)

Hudson

• § Bomberman
• § Deca Sports
• § Kororinpa

Konami

• § (Untitled Baseball Game)
• § Contra
• § Frogger
• § Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D “The Naked Sample”
• § Pro Evo

Level 5

• § Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle

Majesco

• § BloodRayne: the Shroud
• § A Boy and His Blob
• § Face Racers: Photo Finish
• § Lion’s Pride: Adventures on the Serengeti
• § Martha Stewart
• § WonderWorld Amusement Park

Marvelous

• § BOKUJYOUMONOGATARI 3D

Namco Bandai

• § Dragon Ball
• § Gundam
• § Pac-Man & Galaga
• § Ridge Racer
• § Super Robot Wars

Rocket

• § Crash City GP
• § Super Robo

SEGA

• § Sonic the Hedgehog
• § Super Monkey Ball

Square Enix

• § Codename: Chocobo Rcing 3D
• § Dragon Quest
• § Final Fantasy
• § Kingdom Hearts

Take-Two

• § Carnival Games

Tecmo Koei

• § Dead or Alive 3D
• § Dynasty Warriors
• § Ninja Gaiden
• § Samurai Warriors 3D

Tomy

• § Lovely Lisa 3D
• § Naruto Shippuden Action

THQ

• § de Blob 2
• § Kung Fu Panda: Kaboom of Doom
• § Marvel Super Hero Squad Infinity Gauntlet
• § The Penguins of Madagascar
• § Puss N Boots
• § Saints Row: Drive By

Ubisoft

• § Assassin’s Creed: Lost Legacy
• § Battle of Giants: Dinosaur Strike
• § Driver Renegade
• § Hollywood 61
• § Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon
• § Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Chaos Theory

Warner Bros.

• § Batman
• § LEGO

 

Sources comment on why the device is slated to release so late. Such as why not launch before the holiday 2010? There are a few short term and long term benefits. Nintendo wants to try to ensure strong third-party lineups. While giving more time for release, Nintendo is giving the third-party titles a longer time period to catch up in a way to the first party counterparts. This will give Nintendo a superior product line when they release. But also in waiting they want to bypass all the holiday competition also and have the Nintendo 3DS be the thing to want around that spring 2011 time. All the kids will be bored with there PSP game they just got and want the new 3DS. Very wise release date and look forward to the 3DS releasing spring 2011.