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?

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?

HOT

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!

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

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....

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

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

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

Unless it's real-D, no sale.

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

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

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

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.

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

• http://www.nikkei.com/news/headline/article/g=96958A9C93819696E0E1E2909E8DE0E1E2E1E0E2E3E2E2E2E2E2E2E2
• http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/atmoney/news/20100323-OYT1T01030.htm
• http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/atmoney/news/20100323-OYT1T01030.htm   

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

" HOT "

Iwata: (laughs)

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

" HOT "

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

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?

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

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

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.

Wut

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...

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

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

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.

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

" 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.

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?    

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

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.

Oh ffs. How many itterations???

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.

oh not again!

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

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

" 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?     "

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

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

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

" @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. "

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?