Nintendo "3DS" Announced

by Phil Kollar on March 23, 2010 at 03:33 AM

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Nintendo's latest model of their DS handheld, the DSi XL, just arrived in the GI offices yesterday and won't be available to the general public in North America until this weekend. That newly launching product hasn't stopped Nintendo from unexpectedly confirming months of rumors by announcing their next-generation handheld device, the Nintendo "3DS."

Nintendo released a brief statement revealing the new system in Japan. The statement had scant details on the 3DS, the most important of which was the source of its name: The handheld will apparently feature the ability for "3D effects without the need for any special glasses." The statement does not elaborate on this technology, but if Nintendo has come up for a solution for true 3D that doesn't involve wearing goofy glasses, we're all ears.

The 3DS will also have full backward compatibility with DS games. The statement makes special note that it will work with DSi games as well, suggesting that the 3DS may also have a camera built in.

Nintendo plans to release the 3DS (probably under a different name) this fiscal year -- that means some time between now and March 2011. In the meantime, it looks like we'll be learning more details about the new device at E3.

Before you scoff at the idea of 3D on a handheld, remember that most people thought the two-screen idea for the DS was stupid when it was first announced as well. With that warning in place, are you excited to hear more about the 3DS? Does it mess with your plans to buy a DSi XL?

[Update]

For a look at how the 3DS might work, check out this video of a Japanese-only DSi game called 3D Hidden Picture. Keep in mind this is NOT actually running on the as yet unknown 3DS hardware, and it's likely that the 3D effects displayed by that unit might be somewhat different. Still, this is an example of how 3D is already being done on a Nintendo DS without the use of glasses. It's a pretty neat effect!

Thanks to Mark for the info

Comments

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by deltadawgs Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 04:17 AM

OMG i i may buy a DS now god that does sound awome
by vinan123 Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 04:17 AM

It's not a stupid idea. Just not enough to make it worth being a next generation console. Seriously, what the ***? This is the best Nintendo could come up with? And seeing the 3D effects without glasses sounds good and all, but I wouldn't be suprised if it *** up your eyes.
by **BANNED** Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 04:50 AM

OMG Are you serious, Now its between a DSi, DSi Xl and "3DS".

3D with out glasses? We can always trust Nintendo to actually put some effort into something and give us a good result.
by nineteen93 Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 04:51 AM

I won't be surprised if this has better graphics than the Wii.
by xTmX Korrupt Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 04:54 AM

omg I wonder if this will be an amazing leap forward. I was going to get the DSi XL not anymore. I will be waiting for this though.
by HAVOC x17x Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 04:54 AM

haha wow this is going to draw a lot of fire im guessing from people. I have personally always told my friends, 3D would be cool if you didn't need glasses. 3D Tv that they are talking about would be neat, but then the need to wear glasses would be a total turn off.

If anyone can pull this off its Nintendo, seeing as Playstation is already enticed by the 3D idea, Nintendo will beat them to the punch and once again, Playstation will build upon their success just like they did with the Playstation Move.

This New DS does sound sweet though.

When are you getting into the Handheld Microsoft!? I been waiting for you guys since the original Xbox came out lol
by TURTLESinTIME Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 05:22 AM

ha we can always put our fdaith into nintendo for coming up with good ideas failing misserably and then sum1 else capitalizing on there idea by doing it better
by linktriforce...ridin in the roflcopter Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 05:31 AM

I GOTTA GET THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Dominic Ricardo Sinclaire Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 05:51 AM

I could see how a 3D effect could work if they had the two screens projecting something at the same time. If it requires an attachment though I wouldn't buy it, imagine playing that on the train; "hey guys wanna see my Lv 60 Dragonite hyper beam a Caterpie", that's just asking to get jacked.
by bradyk Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 06:07 AM

haha clever name... clever
by Conner Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 06:37 AM

I think I might buy this But, they need to stop coming out with different versions of the ds. I may trade in my dsi for this.
by Cameron Crowe Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 06:40 AM

It's a really cool idea...but it seems like they are destroying their own market. The DS is like the highest selling console of all-time, its retarded how many they have sold...and now all those people have to go buy a new one for 3D...just a few months after you release the highly anticipated DSi XL? I just dont quite understand.
by Matthew Wong Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 06:48 AM

This does sound awesome but at the same time it reminds me of the virtual boy...
by Hummy Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 06:55 AM

You're kidding me, already?
by Christian Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 06:56 AM

Sounds kinda cool. .
by InvisiKid Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 07:03 AM

totally messes with my plans. Looks like im waiting another year to upgrade my DS
by Drakenkaizer Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 07:06 AM

So if they are making this hen we must surely expect a full blown next gen console from nintend anytime soon. If they are going to come out with the Gameboy 3D maybe they have something really cool cooking up in th console dept.

@Cameron Crowe
They did the same when releasing the DS, they killed the Gameboy brand.
by DragonLord1123 Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 07:18 AM

I will keep my eye on this one. Reggie said Nintendo had something bug. I have not upgraded my DS yet so I am looking forward to the 3DS.
by Redfuzzy Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 07:19 AM

Holy sh*t. If I don't have to wear goofy glasses that fall off my face, I'm all for 3D. That's really is what's needed to push this technology.
by jamessmarion Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 07:19 AM

Early... April.... Fools?

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Nintendo "3DS" Announced