When Nintendo announced the 3DS in March, I was kind of skeptical. I was imagining another Virtual Boy. But earlier today, the successor to the DSi was finally revealed! The 3DS looks a lot like a regular DS with a few noticeable changes. The top screen is a wide screen while the bottom is a square. The top screen is where the 3D effects come in. Nintendo claims that the 3DS can produce “3D effects without the need for any special glasses.” So elements in the game look like they’re popping right out at you. The bottom screen retains the usual touch screen functions of the original DS systems.

Another addition to the 3DS is the Slide Pad, which works as an analog stick. This is something they should have added a long time ago. Although the positioning of the D-Pad looks like it would be a little awkward to use – But we’ll know in due time. The 3DS has some very impressive graphics, right on par with the Wii. Another new feature in the 3DS are motion sensors that allow the system to know when the handheld is being tilted or moved in different ways. And last but not least are the two side-by-side cameras placed on the back of the system. The duel cameras make your photos into 3D images, which is pretty impressive, I must say.

Upcoming 3DS Games

Nintendogs + Cats

Nintendo also announced a few games for the new handheld. Nintendos + Cats will be a lot like the original Nintendogs games, but they’re adding cats into the mix. It would be fun to see how the dogs and cats will interact. And of course, with the new 3D screen, it will be like you can reach down and pet them with your hand.

Kid Icarus: Uprising

When Nintendo announced that their new subdivision, Project Sora was working on their first title, I was expecting a Nintendo/Kingdom Hearts crossover. (I can dream can’t I?) But I was pleasantly surprised when I saw Pit fly across the screen and say, “Sorry to keep you waiting.” Oh Pit, you have no idea. Kid Icarus: Uprising is the third installment in the series and the first Kid Icarus game in almost 20 years. Uprising marks the first time Pit has ever got to move around freely in a completely 3D environment. The game allows you to battle on ground or in the air. The video shows off Pit fighting different enemies including Cerberus and a few other bosses. This game alone has me sold on the 3DS.

Other Confirmed Titles

• Animal Crossing
• Mario Kart
• Paper Mario
• PilotWings Resort
• Battle of Giants: Dinosaur Strike
• CODENAME: Chocobo Races
• Dead or Alive 3D
• DJ Hero 3D
• Hollywood 61
• Kingdom Hearts
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
• Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D “The Naked Sample”
• Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle
• Resident Evil Revelations
• Ridge Racer
• Samurai Warriors 3D
• Starfox 64
• Steel Diver
• The Sims 3
• Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition
• Tom Clancy’s Splinter: Cell Chaos Theory
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon