Ever play Mario Kart and say to yourself “damn, I wish I could drive that in real life.” Well, if you’re a Gamestop PowerUp Rewards member, you may get the chance to make that into a reality. Nintendo and West Coast Customs (the guys who fix up cars from the MTV show Pimp My Ride) worked together to build the actual Mario karts, two of them, that really work. Or, if not, then you may be lucky enough to at least touch or sit in one at the LA Auto Show this and next week. Check out the pictures taken at the LA Auto Show inside.

The guys at West Coast Customs built two karts, the Mario Standard Kart and Luigi Bumble V. I’m more of a motorcycle Mario Kart player, but these are still damn awesome.

Reggie Fils-Aime was on-hand to reveal both Mario Kart 7 and the real karts in a press conference, which unfortunately we missed. However, Reggie was spotted later on shooting a video for the Nintendo Fanclub Facebook page (I subsequently stopped filming when I learned that, but we did catch the big man in the relatively-small kart. Let’s just say these aren’t made for tall people). As Nintendo spokespeople told me outside of the show floor, the karts are actually the first vehicles presented at the show floor that can actually fly in the air and drive underwater*.

The karts themselves weren’t being driven at the show, but you will be able to watch them in full use on TV on an episode of  Inside West Coast Customs in early 2012. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the crew in the body shop loves Mario and Mario Kart, and that at least some of them are living the dream building the first real driveable karts.

It was really surprising to see Reggie fit in the car. Christen barely fit in himself, and he’s just over 6′. Reggie didn’t exactly slide out though, as you may imagine.

Mario Kart 7 releases for the Nintendo 3DS on December 4th.

*”Note that while the gliders and propellers on the in-game go-karts let players soar through the air or drive underwater, these real-life karts do not. Trust us on this one.” – Nintendo Press Release

The 3Ds may not have been the run away success that Nintendo had hoped for, but that hasn’t stopped the Japanese company from releasing a a special edition Zelda inspired 3Ds.  To commemorate the game’s 25th birthday, Nintendo has finished the portable console with  the Hyrule emblem and gold-colored embellishments.  They’re also tossing in a a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, which will feature a special double-sided sleeve: on the front the classic game sleeve design appears, but on the reverse there is a limited edition gold-coloured sleeve.  If you remember, Nintendo has long issued gold editions of this game to celebrate its existence, though we can’t recall how many or when they issued these.

No word on a price, but apparently this release will be limited to the EU, where it will hit store shelves on November 25th…how fitting.

Nintendo announces Limited Edition The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary bundle

8th November 2011 – The Legend of Zelda is regarded as one of the most critically acclaimed video game series of all time. To celebrate its 25th anniversary and to mark this occasion, Nintendo is releasing a special 25th Anniversary limited edition* Nintendo 3DS system, marked with the Hyrule emblem and gold-coloured embellishments. This limited edition system will come bundled exclusively with a copy of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D which was specifically created for the Nintendo 3DS system, and will become available from shops across Europe from 25th November 2011 – just in time for Christmas!

Fully remastered from the original Nintendo 64 title, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is packed with stunning 3D graphics and visual delights for fans, both familiar with and new to the franchise. As part of the bundle your copy of the game will contain a special double-sided sleeve: on the front the classic game sleeve design appears, but on the reverse there is a limited edition gold-coloured sleeve. This double-sided sleeve is only available as part of The Legend of Zelda 25th Anniversary bundle.

Join Link, a heroic young boy, on his quest to save the land of Hyrule from Ganondorf, the Gerudo King of Thieves. Interact with many different characters and battle various enemies while exploring vast landscapes, mythical temples, dungeons, towns and villages – all in 3D!

What’s more, make the most of the new control scheme, completely redesigned to make the best use of the Nintendo 3DS system’s capabilities, all of which help you to intuitively guide Link on his journey.

The game’s graphical re-working coupled with the three-dimensional depth provided by Nintendo 3DS breathes new life into this timeless classic. Whether you’re a first-time player or a regular visitor to Hyrule, the limited edition Nintendo 3DS system bundled with The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D offers a magical new experience for all to enjoy, from 25th November 2011.

Way back in the ye olde days of 2004, a charming little game came out that enchanted players everywhere.  With it’s simple design and engrossing play, Cave Story was a masterpiece in its own right.  After the initial game came out the indie game company Nicalis helped to being the game to other platforms (it originally was only PC).  Now, they’ve been able to bring this little gem that’s been described as being “so massive that it rivals modern GBA Castlevania and Metroid games in terms of scope and play time” (1UP.com) to the 3DS.

More than a simple port, the good people at Nicalis have given Cave Story a complete overhaul on all of the visuals, making it look crisper, sharper, and brighter.  Even if you don’t use the 3D mode, you’ll notice just how much “better” everything looks in this iteration of the game.  In terms of the 3D support though, I’ve played games that are just “blah” with the 3D element added in – not so here.  Even though I played this game to death in years past, I was absolutely amazed by how gorgeous it looked in 3D this time around.  Everything just popped the way it should have.  This is easily one of the best uses of the 3DS’s 3D that I’ve played with.

The gameplay thankfully hasn’t changed from the original formula that worked so well.  You’re still going to be platforming from area to area (and there is a bit of an increased difficulty when you throw in the 3D to that platforming), and shooting various enemies.  along the way you’ll be gaining skills and better weapons to make yourself stronger and able to take on the various bosses in the game.  All of the exploring and upgrading is one of the things that keeps gamers engrossed here, and makes many of us fondly compare this to games like 1UP did.  If you’ve played the GBA Castlevania or Metroid games, then you’ll easily be able to see where those references come from.

One thing that has changed from the original, is that there are now three modes that you can play.  You have your standard story mode, that takes you through the game as it was originally intended – with the addition of the updated visual elements I mentioned earlier.  I definitely recommend that everyone play through this mode first, as it will explain everything about the game to you.  Once you beat a certain part of the game, Time Attack mode opens up, and it allows you to go and work on some speed runs which is a lot of fun (although it can drive you crazy when you know you could do a part better).  Lastly, there’s the strange “Classic” mode.  This mode uses the updated 3D backgrounds, but then uses the original 2D sprites for a totally surreal experience.  For some reason there’s no New Game+ mode, which is such a staple in games like this, and it’s a noticeable absence once you beat it.

Along with the updated graphics, the soundtrack has also been significantly updated.  The brains behind Super Meat Boy’s amazing sounds (Mr. Danny Baranowsky) has given every single track a nice remix.  Yes, purists will moan and groan that the original was perfect (and it really was), but the new soundtrack is actually really good.  There are times that the new sounds really get you pumped up for the over the top action.  I’ve even been humming some of the songs to myself (much to the chagrin of my family) during my daily routine because they’re so catchy.

Editor’s Rating:

4.5 out of 5 stars

Excellent

The Bottom Line: Cave Story has been a gem to play ever since it was initially released, and the upgraded graphics and visuals only heighten that feeling.  Like all 3DS titles though, there are times that you’ll be irritated at the 3D, but that doesn’t detract anything from the wonder of the game.

Pros:

• Everything good about the original game is still the same in this version
• The updated graphics look amazing on the 3DS screen
• The remixed score works extremely well, and helps to set the pacing of the action

Cons:

• No New Game+ mode means you start over from scratch every time you finish
• Like all 3DS titles, you have to hold it just right to enjoy the 3D fully
• No option to switch back to the original, unmodified soundtrack

Cave Story 3D releases on November 8th, and can be pre-ordered from Amazon for $39.99

While CTA’s Digital’s Deluxe Power Grip won’t resolve those nagging eye strain problems, it most certainly might be the solution you’ve been searching for when it comes to the 3DS’ short battery life, and anything but ergonomic shape.

This controller come battery latches on the the 3Ds and doubles the portable consoles battery life. A USB port lets you ditch Nintendo’s AC power pak and a set of LED lights indicate when the device is fully charged.

If you haven’t noticed the ergonomic shape mimics that of an Xbox 360 controller, so if you own both video game consoles transitioning between the two should be seamless, at least in terms of feel.  It’s made of a silicone material so you can probably expect it to be more comfortable than a traditional plastic finish and also make sure your sweaty palms don’t cause you to lose your grip at the pique of gaming.

The CTA Digital Deluxe Power Grip sells for $30 and includes a kickstand that doubles as a storage slot for an additional 3DS game.

Madden NFL Football will be the first sports title for the Nintendo 3DS and is already shipped to stores to coincide with the launch of the portable 3D gaming system.

While it’s hard to ascertain just how the 3D tech will enhance gameplay, EA says that every play, cut-scene, and replay camera has been “specially tuned to give stronger, more dramatic 3D views”.   Using the 3DS’ touchscreen, players will be able to draw their own plays, on-the-fly and directly on the screen.

In terms of gameplay, you can expect authentic 11-on-11 football, fast-paced 5-on-5 action and Season Mode.  There will be three types of play calling, which includes GameFlow, Classic, and Arcade.  ”GameFlow automatically selects the best play for the situation based on real NFL team gameplans; streamlining play calling and shortening overall game length for a more accessible experience. Classic play call allows users to experience the full depth of selecting formations and individual plays, while Arcade play call simplifies options through a more concentrated playbook.”

EA’S MADDEN NFL FOOTBALL HITS RETAILERS FOR NINTENDO 3DS LAUNCH

All-New 3D Optimized Version of EA SPORTS Celebrated Football Franchise Ships to Stores

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – March 23, 2011 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced today that Madden NFL Football, the first EA SPORTS title available for the highly anticipated Nintendo 3DS™, has shipped to retail stores throughout North America and will be available on Sunday, March 27th to coincide with the launch of the Nintendo 3DS. Madden NFL Football delivers captivating gameplay in 3D, providing a robust and authentic NFL experience consistent with the renowned football video game franchise.

Madden NFL Football offers a comprehensive handheld experience with exciting modes, such as authentic 11-on-11 football, fast-paced 5-on-5 action and Season Mode. Additional features jump off the screen with 3D graphics, such as “Spotlight Moments” and “Call Your Shots”. Utilizing the remarkable power of the Nintendo 3DS Touch Screen, “Call Your Shots” allows users to draw their own plays, on-the-fly, directly on the screen.

With three types of play calling—GameFlow, Classic, and Arcade—Madden NFL Football provides an enjoyable experience for gamers of all skill levels. GameFlow automatically selects the best play for the situation based on real NFL team gameplans; streamlining play calling and shortening overall game length for a more accessible experience. Classic play call allows users to experience the full depth of selecting formations and individual plays, while Arcade play call simplifies options through a more concentrated playbook.

Madden NFL Football brings each of the 32 NFL teams and stadiums to life like never before with a presentation optimized for viewing in 3D. Making the most of the unique stereoscopic 3D presentation format, every gameplay, cut-scene, and replay camera has been specially tuned to give stronger, more dramatic 3D views. Harnessing the power of the Nintendo 3DS hardware, Madden NFL Football delivers a console-like experience to the Nintendo handheld, making it the perfect on-the-go game for every football fan.

Madden NFL Football has been rated “E” for Everyone by the Entertainment Software Ratings Board (ESRB).

Madden NFL Football for Nintendo 3DS is developed in Raleigh, North Carolina by the EA North Carolina studio.

Although we have yet to officially review the Nintendo 3DS, we’re hearing (and reading) that the battery life totally blows.  At best you’ll supposedly get about 3 hours of gaming out of the portable gaming console, where upon you’ll have to jack it back into the grid for a recharge.

However, Nyko will launch a replacement battery pack, called the Power Pak+, that purportedly doubles the battery life of the 3DS.  It will retail for $19.99 on March 27th and a week later an accompanying charging base will hit shelves for $29.99.  Until then you can use the 3DS’ AC adapter to juice up its cells.  

Too good to be true?  Sort of.  It attaches to the rear of the 3DS with 4 screws, so you won’t be able to hot swap batteries at a gaming moments notice and it adds some girth to the handheld.  A caveat we’re willing to accept for much needed gaming time on those long road trips.

Nyko Doubles the Juice with New Charge Base and Power Pak+ for Nintendo® 3DS

LOS ANGELES – March 8, 2011

Nyko Technologies today announced two new accessories set to debut with the launch of the new Nintendo® 3DS handheld system this March. On launch day Nyko will release the Power Pak+, a high capacity rechargeable battery pack for Nintendo 3DS that offers double the capacity and battery life of the original 3DS battery. One week later Nyko will release the newest Charge Base, designed to store your Nintendo 3DS and make sure it’s always fully juiced with easy drop-in charging.

“Every new console or game system launch is an opportunity for us to find ways to improve the user’s experience with the device through innovative technology,” said Chris Arbogast, director of marketing, Nyko Technologies. “We are proud to be able to bring our robust knowledge of charging technology to the 3DS user base by providing users the ability to substantially increase their play time.”

The Nyko Power Pak+ for Nintendo 3DS is a high-capacity rechargeable battery pack that offers double the battery life of the original 3DS battery. The Power Pak+ features debossed finger rests for improved control and comfort. The Power Pak+ will be available March 27 for $19.99.

The Nyko Charge Base for Nintendo 3DS is a drop-in charging and storage solution for the new handheld device. Each Charge Base includes a Power Pak+ rechargeable battery pack. The Charge Base features an on/off switch as well as LED indicator lights that let you know when your battery is charging and when it has finished. The Charge Base for Nintendo 3DS will be available shortly after the system’s launch for $29.99.

Both the Power Pak+ and the Charge Base utilize the standard 3DS AC adaptor for recharging.

Connect with Nyko for a chance to win exciting Nyko prizes at @nykotech or on Facebook.

About Nyko Technologies, Inc.
Nyko Technologies ® develops, manufactures and markets innovative peripherals to enhance the digital lifestyle. The company’s mission is to deliver products that solve problems and improve user experience for work and play. Nyko specializes in interactive entertainment, computing, consumer electronics, portable audio, as well as online and wireless technologies. The company has distribution through major U.S. and Canadian retailers, along with distributors worldwide. Founded in 1995, Nyko is headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. Please visit www.nyko.com or call 1-888-444-6956 for more information.

Today, at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime announced that Netflix streaming will coming to the Nintendo 3Ds sometime this summer.

Much like the iPhone, 3Ds users will be able to stream movies over WiFi, pause, fast forward and rewind.  However, they’ll also be able to easily continue watching the same content on their Nintendo Wii, though it’s not clear if the feature will be any more advanced than Netflix’s current feature set, which allows you to continue watching content where you left off from any device.

Don’t expect 3D movies or TV shows from Netflix any time soon, though Nintendo is apparently in works with Hollywood studios to produce three dimensional compatible movies and content for the handheld.

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Over the weekend the Nintendo 3DS officially went on sale in Japan (it arrives in the US March 27th).  And not more than a few days later it has been torn apart and partially examined.  We’re not surprised, since this is the inevitable fate for all popular devices, especially ones that sport ground breaking tech such as a 3D screen that requires no glasses to view its three dimensional imagery.

So, we still don’t have confirmation that the 3DS’ screen is manufactured by Sharp, but we do know, thanks to Nikkei Electronics Teardown Squad, that the display uses a “parallax barrier,” to blocks light, which shows different images to the right and left eyes.  Lastly – they’re still tearing the 3DS apart – the device uses a 1,300mAh, and if Nikkei Electronics is to be believed, it’s very easy to replace the battery; you just need to remove the 4 screws that keep the bottom plate secure.

Via: Techon

Yesterday, Nintendo announced that the 3Ds, the 3D version of their handheld video game system, will go on sale in the US March 27th and cost $250.  That’s a hefty price tag for a portable system, especially when you consider the price of a home console, which now costs equally as much but lacks the built-in 3D screen and the portable form factor.

The 3DS will include a feature called “Streetpass”, which allows fellow 3DS gamers to exchange game information, such as high scores, games and more, with other 3DS users within a set proximity.  Come June, Nintendo says more than 30 3D enabled games will be available for the portable gaming device and will includes a variety of genres such as “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D” to a 3D version of Madden’s NFL football and more.  Older DS games will be compatible with the 3DS, though they won’t be 3D enabled.

We got our hands on the 3DS at last year’s E3 and what we experienced was rather impressive.  While the 3D experience wasn’t as compelling as say sitting in a movie theater (think Avatar 3D), you most certainly can perceive a three dimensional image, probably best described as looking at a Marble Maze game from a childhood past.  Gamers have the option of decreasing or increasing the intensity of the 3D effects using a physical slider located on one side of the screen, though Nintendo may have tweaked the design since our hands on as the version we played with was a bit wonky.

As with all portable gadgets, battery life still remains a lingering question.

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Black Friday is just days away and in the hopes of spurring some additional sales, Nintendo has launched two new DSi bundles in time for the historically large shopping day.  But don’t get too excited, the changes are purely aesthetic.

Come this Friday you’ll be able to pick up a Green or Orange DSi packed with a copy of Mario Party DS.   The bundles will cost $150, which is the same price you’d pay for the other colors.

Orangen’t you excited?  Perhaps even green with envy?

November 22, 2010 08:00 AM Eastern Time

Nintendo News: Nintendo Adds Color to Black Friday with Orange, Green Nintendo DSi Bundles

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nintendo is giving Black Friday a splash of color with two new bundles for its hot-selling Nintendo DSi™ system. For the first time, shoppers can choose an orange or green system, which will be bundled with the Mario Party™ DS game. The new colors go on sale on Nov. 26 and will be available while supplies last at a suggested retail price of $149.99.

These new colors join Nintendo’s other great value bundles for the holidays that are being released in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros.™ game on the NES™. These include the limited-edition red Nintendo DSi XL™ bundle, which features a red Nintendo DSi XL system with three iconic Super Mario Bros.-themed graphics, the Mario Kart™ DS game, and preloaded software titles including Brain Age™ Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Math and Photo Clock at a suggested retail price of $179.99. In addition to those preloaded titles, each Nintendo DSi system comes preloaded with Flipnote Studio™, which lets users create, upload and share their own fun animations.

Nintendo is also offering the limited-edition red Wii™ hardware that includes a new red Wii Remote™ Plus controller, a red Nunchuk™ controller, and games New Super Mario Bros.™ Wii and Wii Sports™ at a suggested retail price of $199.99.

Through the end of October, Nintendo has sold more than 43 million systems in the Nintendo DS™ family in the United States alone, according to the independent NPD Group.

For more information about Nintendo DSi, visit http://www.nintendodsi.com.

November 22, 2010 08:00 AM Eastern Time Nintendo News: Nintendo Adds Color to Black Friday with Orange, Green Nintendo DSi Bundles
REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nintendo is giving Black Friday a splash of color with two new bundles for its hot-selling Nintendo DSi™ system. For the first time, shoppers can choose an orange or green system, which will be bundled with the Mario Party™ DS game. The new colors go on sale on Nov. 26 and will be available while supplies last at a suggested retail price of $149.99.
These new colors join Nintendo’s other great value bundles for the holidays that are being released in honor of the 25th anniversary of the Super Mario Bros.™ game on the NES™. These include the limited-edition red Nintendo DSi XL™ bundle, which features a red Nintendo DSi XL system with three iconic Super Mario Bros.-themed graphics, the Mario Kart™ DS game, and preloaded software titles including Brain Age™ Express: Arts & Letters, Brain Age Express: Math and Photo Clock at a suggested retail price of $179.99. In addition to those preloaded titles, each Nintendo DSi system comes preloaded with Flipnote Studio™, which lets users create, upload and share their own fun animations.
Nintendo is also offering the limited-edition red Wii™ hardware that includes a new red Wii Remote™ Plus controller, a red Nunchuk™ controller, and games New Super Mario Bros.™ Wii and Wii Sports™ at a suggested retail price of $199.99.
Through the end of October, Nintendo has sold more than 43 million systems in the Nintendo DS™ family in the United States alone, according to the independent NPD Group.
For more information about Nintendo DSi, visit http://www.nintendodsi.com.

It’s been a long time. Actually, it’s been months, but it still felt like a long time, something about anticipation affecting our perception. But finally, Nintendo did set a release date for its 3DS handheld, and it’s February 26th. The date for the US and Europe is less fixed, and it will be sometime in March.

The price for the Asian market is approximately $300. Pricing for other markets will be released by regional Nintendo offices shortly. Will the price be lower here? Who knows, but the device looks good enough to find a strong sales anyway.

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Even without knowing if the Nintendo 3DS will be released in 2010, there’s still plenty of reasons to be excited about it.

For one thing, it’s estimated that it will carry the kind of graphics power of current generation Xbox360’s, which given its smaller screen, guarantees great performance, especially for a handheld. Its GPU is called the Pica 200, and clocks in at 200MHz.

Then there’s also the fact that it is a 3D enabled handheld, enabling 3D viewing without special glasses – which is a very cool thing in itself. It will also have a lot more storage than its predecessor, the DSi, which came with only 256MBs to the 3DS’s 1.5GBs of flash, that can be expanded with SD cards.

The 3DS will be driven by two 266MHz ARM11 CPUs, which are better known for having powered Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch before they were switched to their new A4 processor, and currently can be found inside the Zune HD. The device will also have 4MBs of dedicated VRAM and 64MBs of RAM.

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Well, it looks like Twitter is now becoming a go-to place for gadget news leaks. Someone going by the name “nocchisan” who is allegedly in the Nintendo 3DS accessories industry said that the 3D device will be released on November 11th in Japan, the same day as his company’s eleven accessories. The account has now been closed, which could mean that the info is true and that nocchisan wanted to hide his tracks lest Nintendo get angry about spilling the beans. Or it could just be a load of bull. A November release makes a lot of sense for a big holiday season push, so I’m going to go with a “truth” on this one. Either way, Nintendo is announcing the date officially on the 29th, so we won’t have too long to find out.

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Nintendo has just announced a price drop for their extremely popular Nintendo DSi and its bigger brother, the DSi XL. The DSi has been reduced to $149.99 (from $169.99) and the DSi XL to $169.99 (from $189.99). The change takes effect September 2nd. The new prices are in anticipation of the 3DS, which will be arriving sometime within the next year. But if you want some portable gaming goodness while you wait, it’s now cheaper than ever to get.

NINTENDO DROPPING PRICES OF NINTENDO DSI AND NINTENDO DSI XL SYSTEMS ON SEPT. 12

Latest Versions of Best-Selling Portable Video Game System in History to be Priced at $149.99 and $169.99

REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 30, 2010 – Nintendo is dropping the suggested retail price of its Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™ video game systems. Effective Sept. 12, the new suggested retail price of the Nintendo DSi system will be $149.99, while the new suggested retail price for the Nintendo DSi XL system will be $169.99. The Nintendo DS™ Lite model will remain at a suggested retail price of $129.99. The Nintendo DS family of video game systems is the best-selling in the history of the U.S. and worldwide. The new prices offer consumers tremendous value for their money while providing access to the best portable video game experiences possible.

“We know shoppers want to get the maximum value out of every dollar they spend,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Our new Nintendo DSi prices make it easier than ever for consumers to access the tremendous variety of games, applications and social tools on the Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL systems.”

The Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL systems offer consumers access to more than 1,300 packaged games and more than 200 downloadable games. Both systems feature two built-in cameras and photo- and sound-manipulation software that provide for a more social experience. Users can wirelessly upload photos to Facebook with the touch of a button (wireless broadband Internet access required). The Nintendo DSi XL system, which features a screen that is 93 percent larger than that of the Nintendo DS Lite, comes pre-loaded with software like Brain Age™ Express: Math, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters, Flipnote Studio™, Photo Clock and the Nintendo DSi Browser.

Through the end of July, total Nintendo DS family hardware sales are more than 42.3 million in the United States alone, according to the NPD Group. Recent and upcoming software releases for the Nintendo DS family of systems include DRAGON QUEST® IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies™ (now available), Professor Layton and the Unwound Future™ (Sept. 12), Pokémon™ Ranger: Guardian Signs (Oct. 4), Art Academy™ (Oct. 25), Mario vs. Donkey Kong™: Mini-Land Mayhem! (Nov. 14) and Golden Sun™: Dark Dawn (Nov. 29).

Remember that Nintendo DSi features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendodsi.com.

About Nintendo: The worldwide pioneer in the creation of interactive entertainment, Nintendo Co., Ltd., of Kyoto, Japan, manufactures and markets hardware and software for its Wii™ home console and Nintendo DS™ family of portable systems. Since 1983, when it launched the Nintendo Entertainment System™, Nintendo has sold more than 3.4 billion video games and more than 565 million hardware units globally, including the current-generation Wii, Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™, as well as the Game Boy™, Game Boy Advance, Super NES™, Nintendo 64™ and Nintendo GameCube™ systems. It has also created industry icons that have become well-known, household names such as Mario™, Donkey Kong™, Metroid™, Zelda™ and Pokémon™. A wholly owned subsidiary, Nintendo of America Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., serves as headquarters for Nintendo’s operations in the Western Hemisphere. For more information about Nintendo, please visit the company’s website at www.nintendo.com.

Attention! The Nintendo 3DS is being released…well, there’s a release date for that announcement. That’s all I can tell you. Sorry folks, that’s how hype in the electronics industry works. A Nintendo spokesperson has announced September 29th as the date we’ll learn the pricing and release date of the 3DS — my guess is that it will probably arrive sometime before Christmas and be less than $300, but it could be March at the latest. Until then, just salivate over images of the 3DS and think about Mario in 3D.

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According to Nintendo of America boss Reggie Fils-Aime, the Nintendo 3Ds will launch in all major markets by March 31, 2011. Industry Gamer sat down with Reggie and confirmed that the design we saw at E3 is not final and might be subject to change. We’re thinking that the 3D slider will get tweaked since that feature seemed to cause the most consternation from show attendees. We didn’t have a chance to check out the new analog stick, but we loved the 3D screen.

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Yesterday we hit E3 and got a hands on with the Nintendo 3Ds.  Unfortunately, they wouldn’t let us take any pics of it turned on or shoot any video while someone was playing it.  Some of the pics came out kind of blurry due to bad lighting and user error.

Our impressions?  The 3Ds is really cool.  The 3D screen is very compelling and while the images aren’t flying off the screen and into your face, you get a real sense of depth.  Yes, you need to look at it straight on or the 3D effect is lost, but that’s a non-issue since it’s a personal gaming system.  We played two games, both of which didn’t require the use of the new analog stick.  The 3D slider is a bit wonky feeling, but nothing fan boys won’t be able to tolerate.  They had a Kid Icarus game on display, but it was just the trailer and not a working demo.

More pics after the ‘leap’

Analog stick and D-pad

Dual cameras for 3D images

Nintendo’s 3Ds portable gaming console was finally unveiled today.  As rumored, it will have 3D and won’t require the use of glasses.  Nintendo has beefed up the hardware to produce almost Wii worthy graphics, at least according to some reporters on hand at today’s E3 unveiling.  There’s built-in WiFi, support for previous games and two outside cameras (one inside as well) for snapping 3D pictures as well as an analog stick.  The top screen, which measures 3.5-inches, is 3D but not touch sensitive and includes a slider knob to adjust the amount of 3D you’d like to experience.  Lastly, the Nintendo 3Ds will be compatible with 3D movies.

Right now there is nary a word on price or launch date, but logic points to this holiday season.

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Before you get too excited please note that this image is a sketch by a Chinese blogger who claims to have a 3DS development kit.  That top screen you see would be the 3D part, which is the one that we heard Sharp is manufacturing and doesn’t require glasses to see the third dimension.   The camera from the DSi will still be present and it’s rumored that Nintendo will be adding an enhanced accelerometer, which may or may not replace the need for an analog stick.

But alas, at this point there are no official leaks on what the Nintendo 3DS will officially look like or what hardware will be used.  We’re fairly confident the basic form factor – one touchscreen, one not – will remain the same.  3D is the buzz word this year and with a variety of TVs on the market sporting the tech we’re not surprised if all gaming plans to head in that direction before 2011 arrives, though it will be sometime until it’s effective, properly used and widely adopted.

Update: The mockup is actually by Kotaku’s Michael Fahey, who based it on a Chinese blogger’s sketch.

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Another day another new color for the DSi XL.  Nintendo Japan released 3 new colors for their version of the DSi XL not too long ago and now the company, perhaps in the hopes of keeping things fresh and procuring what is cheap advertising, has announced an all new color for US market: midnight blue.  It’s $189, will arrive July 11th and everything except the color remains the same.

But the same question still lingers: will Nintendo show off a 3D version of the handheld gaming console at E3 next year?  No one knows, but since the event is officially one week away we’ll be sure to let you know direct from the show room floor.

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