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Nintendo 3DS Due In Japan By March 2011

New handheld to offer glasses-free 3D, backwards compatibility.

Nintendo of Japan has issued a brief press release confirming that it's working on its next handheld platform. Going by the working title of "Nintendo 3DS," the platform is scheduled to ship in Japan before March 2011.
 
Details on the platform are slim, as the release only states that it will offer 3D effects without the use of any sort of glasses and that it will be backwards compatible with existing DS software. More details will hit at this year's E3 in June.
 
It's nice to have the rumors get cleared up a little bit, but doesn't it seem strange to announce this before the DSi XL hits every territory? I mean, who's going to run out and buy an XL now that they know it'll be obsolete in around a year?

Jeff Gerstmann on Google+

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jeff

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Edited By jeff

Nintendo of Japan has issued a brief press release confirming that it's working on its next handheld platform. Going by the working title of "Nintendo 3DS," the platform is scheduled to ship in Japan before March 2011.
 
Details on the platform are slim, as the release only states that it will offer 3D effects without the use of any sort of glasses and that it will be backwards compatible with existing DS software. More details will hit at this year's E3 in June.
 
It's nice to have the rumors get cleared up a little bit, but doesn't it seem strange to announce this before the DSi XL hits every territory? I mean, who's going to run out and buy an XL now that they know it'll be obsolete in around a year?

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jeff

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Edited By jeff

HOT

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blair

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Edited By blair

I'll most definitely end up with one once the software entices me.  I will not get pulled into a 3DS like many were for the DSi.
 
Punching out stories at all hours of the day.  COMPTON STAND UP!

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matthew

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Edited By matthew
@Jeff said:
" I mean, who's going to run out and buy an XL now that they know it'll be obsolete in around a year? "
Hmmmmm, sounds like a bit of PC player thinking.  GPU's and CPU's anyone?  Might as well get what you can and make the most out of it with the time you have, then relish in the upgrade and all its goodness when that time comes.
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BrianJ_OK

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Edited By BrianJ_OK

I just bought a freaking DSi too... 
 
I think this is really interesting as we know they have TV's that do 3D without glasses but you have to be sitting damn near the center and stay perfectly in sync with the TV to get the effect, well with a handheld you can pretty much guarantee where that screen's going to be in relation to the head. 
 
Smart Nintendo, Smart....

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vaiz

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Edited By vaiz

In other news, the 3DS lite will hit Japan buy summer 2012. Callin' it.

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SpiderX20

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Edited By SpiderX20

MARCH 23RD FOOLS!
 
Wait, that's not right...

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Driadon

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Edited By Driadon

Now, if this is the same handheld that uses Nvidia Tegra, we might be on to something.

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Damien

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Edited By Damien

Unless it's real-D, no sale.

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Dirty_Harry

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Edited By Dirty_Harry

Well obviously you would like to have the DSi XL when you are throwing a wicked party, just pull out that thing and everyone can bask in the fun!
 
The new DS will have 3 screens. Confirmed

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xanavi

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Edited By xanavi

This is so bizarre, way to take the wind out of the DSi XL's sails.

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JJOR64

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Edited By JJOR64

I guess I'll have to learn to like 3D before this thing comes out.

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Yzzerdd

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Edited By Yzzerdd

I should check if I can preorder the 2nd revision of this thing in advance, hopefully by then the 3D won't melt your brain.

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Linkyshinks

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Edited By Linkyshinks

Can't wait to see it in action. 
 
Nintendo announcing a new handheld for Japan by March 2011, doesn't equate to it being released in the West in the same time frame - resulting in a loss of sales and a drop in price in all regions. The New 3DS handheld could arrive in the West in Q4 2011 - 2 years away.  
 
The DS XL will sell to it's intended market, and to those gamers who want to take advantage of the bigger screens. I doubt this new machine will see the slow demise of DS software. I'm confident this new machine will be be able to play conventional DS games also, in the same way the original DS was able to play GBA games. The notion that any DS system could be "obsolete" in a year from now, is nonsense.  
 
 

Nintendo PR

No Caption Provided
 
Japanese Rumour Reports  

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Darkstar614

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Edited By Darkstar614

Yeah don't think anyone will be getting the XL anymore. Maybe old people.

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Edited By Yzzerdd
@Damien:  "We here at Nintendo think dpads are getting in the way of gaming for gamer Grandmas and after seeing the success of the iPhone's appstore and virtual dpad we are proud to announce that the 3DS will only feature onscreen controls to bring the fun and innovation of Nintendo to an even  broader audience ."
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Xeiphyer

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Edited By Xeiphyer
@Jeff said:
" HOT "
No you!
 
Also no thanks, I'll take my 3D with glasses. Otherwise I will start to believe 3D is actually going to be around in a few years.
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goudaj

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Edited By goudaj

Iwata: (laughs)

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Edited By NoDeath
@SpiderX20 said:
" MARCH 23RD FOOLS!  Wait, that's not right... "
I literally checked the date when I read the headline to make sure. This just seems super crazy to me.
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Sil3n7

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Edited By Sil3n7
@Jeff said:
" HOT "
Indeed
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Edited By JJOR64

I just hope this doesn't become the Virtual Boy 2.0.

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yoctoyotta

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Edited By yoctoyotta

Combined with the DSi / XL headtracking (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5QSclrIdlE), the new gameplay possibilities are pretty exciting. My guess would be that the increase (at least double right?) in processing power needed to render two frames per screen could be used to create some better looking non-3D games. I'm really interested to see if resolution changes and what screen size they go with.
 
On a side note, has anyone figured out a good way in writing to differentiate between 3D that you see with glasses and polygonal 3D?

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Yzzerdd

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Edited By Yzzerdd
@goudaj:  Iwata: This will please you with a depth that might surprise you!
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Light_Bahamut

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Edited By Light_Bahamut

This will create a generation of permanently cross-eyed children. Thanks Nintendo.

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JJOR64

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Edited By JJOR64
@Light_Bahamut said:
" This will create a generation of permanently cross-eyed children. Thanks Nintendo. "
Most likely.       :P
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deactivated-5ffc9b0923f9f

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What the....mannn... 3D?
 
Even if it's lame, maybe I'll think twice about picking up a Dsi XL. My Lite is still holdin' strong.

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FiestaUnicorn

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Edited By FiestaUnicorn

Maybe 3DS means it will have 3 dual screens.  Six screens for one system sounds far better.
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ljgpliskin92

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Edited By ljgpliskin92

Wut

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Edited By TobyD81

So how many news sources does this have to get reported on before it's no longer an April Fools joke, or is that the point? I mean, this is some off-the-wall shit here! We'll find out soon...

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Edited By jonnyboy

Elderly people will run (well leisurely walk) to the store for a XL, "In my day the whole dang world was in 3D!"

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deactivated-5ffc9b0923f9f

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And I think people are missing the point here. "3DS" doesn't mean 3 screens. It means 3 dual screens, meaning SIX SCREENS.

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goatmilk

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Edited By goatmilk

Why would you do this nintendo? I was just about to buy a DSi XLLXLLlLX or whatever it is. I think I'll still get one - they do look rather damn nice.

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Edited By TadThuggish

FINALLY, ANOTHER HANDHELD VIDEO GAME BASED ON THE #1 HIT OF ALL TIMES, AVATAR
THANKS, JAMES CAMERON AND NINTENDO >:3

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reruns

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Edited By reruns

" I mean, who's going to run out and buy an XL now that they know it'll be obsolete in around a year?"
 
Everyone who bought a Game Boy Micro, that's who.

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Edited By aurahack

I can't wait for this to release. I mean, with all those DS games supporting the DSi camera like Nintendo said they'd do, I'm thrilled to see the support they'll have for this!

... seriously, like, come on. Do they expect us to play games with our eyes crossed really hard, all stereoscopy-like?    

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Edited By Flapke

And there I was considering to buy a DSi XL...

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Edited By John_Bender

It really seems that there milking the DS for all it's worth just before announcing an all new DS hand-held. Fair play to them, hope it's worth it considering how much I hate 3D.

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Crash_Happy

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Edited By Crash_Happy

Oh ffs. How many itterations???

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sodiumCyclops

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Edited By sodiumCyclops

Well, hopefully the 3D is good. nVidia is hot on the 3D market right now so I guess that will really help it tech wise.

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sandwich_adjustment

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oh not again!

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apathylad

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Edited By apathylad

Oh, wow. And I thought the DSi XL was unnecessary and excessive. Seems really soon to confirm this.

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Edited By krystians

XL will do well! But I am so looking for the 3DS!!!

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Linkyshinks

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Edited By Linkyshinks
@TobyD81:  
 
Nintendo are not in the habit of releasing April fools press releases.
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deactivated-5ffc9b0923f9f

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@aurahack said:
" I can't wait for this to release. I mean, with all those DS games supporting the DSi camera like Nintendo said they'd do, I'm thrilled to see the support they'll have for this!... seriously, like, come on. Do they expect us to play games with our eyes crossed really hard, all stereoscopy-like?     "
Lol, I completely forgot about the whole "Dsi-Exclusive" games thing. It feels like 2 new iterations of the DS will come out before the first DSi could even get started.
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aurahack

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Edited By aurahack
@TripMasterMunky: And I fuckin' fell for it, too. I mean, I didn't own a DS or DS Lite (mooched off my at-the-time girlfriend's DS) so I love my DSi but a little something down my way from Nintendo to validate my purchase would be neat.
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Usagi

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Edited By Usagi

Nope, not interested in the slightest. 3D stereoscopy does not make games better, only slightly different .  

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rmanthorp

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Edited By rmanthorp  Moderator

3DS huh? what happened to the 2DS amirite amirite?

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Crono

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Edited By Crono

Dear god... they are making a 3D game without glasses... is it a board game?

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Linkyshinks

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Edited By Linkyshinks
@aurahack said:
" @TripMasterMunky: And I fuckin' fell for it, too. I mean, I didn't own a DS or DS Lite (mooched off my at-the-time girlfriend's DS) so I love my DSi but a little something down my way from Nintendo to validate my purchase would be neat. "
 
You have a good while to do that, this new machine will likely take until Q4 next year to arrive officially in the West. DSiWare is getting some cool games soon, Shantae should be out next month.
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Edited By Floppypants

I already passed over a DSi in anticipation of the XL.  I have no intention of skipping another year.  By the time this 3DS comes out, they'll just make a press release teasing a 3DS Lite.  Do you guys really want to buy a 3DS fat?