The often-refreshed Nintendo DS (Dual Screen) will get another major update soon. Nintendo revealed its 3D version of the DS, which will be called the Nintendo 3DS, this week at E3 in Las Vegas. A handful of first- and third-party game titles are in development though no actual release date has been set.
Close to the original DS design, the top screen, or playback screen, will display 3D images without the use of glasses or any assistance. The second screen, the touch screen, will remain in 2D. Upgrading the second screen would complicate gameplay and any smudges could cause difficulty with a 3D touchscreen display. A slider control on the 3D display controls the degree in which content is displayed. A two-minute demo of footage from a handful of games displayed decent 3D resolution at most angles, however head-on angles lost the crispness and began to blur.
Upcoming games for the 3DS include Resident Evil Revilations from Capcom; Madden NFL 11 from Electronic Arts; and a music game from Harmonix. Nintendo is also developing Kid Icarus: Uprising and a number of additional games for its upcoming release. Games are only one of the 3DS' functions. Although Nintendo did not announce any official titles, it said the system will be capable to play movies in 3D, and expects to build a catalog. The 3DS is also able to take digital pictures in 3D with its two camera lenses on the outside of the handheld.
The 3DS has new control mechanisms. Nintendo added a slide-pad analog control and a motion sensing gyroscope to its features. The controls add to the playability while the 3D display will increase engagement.
Nintendo left the release date and price unknown. Many expect that the 3DS could be out for the 2010 holiday season, but if the Wii is any indication, expect stock to be far lower than demand.
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