Launch Date: March 27th, 2011

The newest and most technologically forward thinking product has come to the Nintendo line of handheld gaming. On March 27, 2011 the Nintendo 3DS was officially launched.

The features are many and the game system price averages in the U.S. at $249.99. Some retailers have a bundle option which runs from $279-$299 which includes the system, one game and an accessory choice,

3DS’s top screen enables 3D viewing without needing special glasses and also has the ability to turn off or modify the effect of the gamers’ 3D viewing with the 3D Depth Slider input control. Displaying approximately 16.77 million colors, wide-screen LCD display that is 3.53 inches with 800 x 240 pixel resolutions gives the gamer a whole new experience to enjoy.

Other features unique to the 3DS are the included telescoping stylus which is adjustable to 3.94 inches when fully extended, a stereo camera that allows users to take 3D photos that can be viewed instantly on the 3D screen and a new circle pad input control which allows 360-degree analog input. Especially important to parents is the fact that the battery life when playing Nintendo 3DS software is 3-5 hours and 5-8 hours when playing other Nintendo DS games. Most games of the Nintendo DS and DSI line can also be played on the 3DS but will be viewed in 2D with built in compatibility.

In addition to the built-in 3D camera, the system also has built in software such as Nintendo 3DS sound with the capability to support virtual surround sound, a Mii Maker, Mii Plaza, and new Street Pass technology that lets Nintendo 3DS owners exchange data automatically with other Nintendo 3DS systems with a 2.4 GHz wireless communication feature. Communication among multiple 3DS systems is now possible and access to the Internet is available through wireless LAN access points or Wi-Fi hotspots. Complete technical aspects and features can be found Here on Nintendo's Website..

Plenty of Nintendo 3DS games are available now. Here is an alphabetical listing:

Asphalt 3D
Bust-A-Move Universe
Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D
Dream Trigger 3D
Lego Pirates of the Caribbean
Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
Madden NFL Football
Naruto Shippuden Ninja Destiny 2
Nintendogs + Cats: French Bulldog, Golden Retriever & Toy Poodle options
Pilotwings Resort
Pro Evoluntion Soccer 2011
Rabbids Travel in Time 3D
Rayman 3D
Ridge Racer
Samurai Warriors Chronicles
Splinter Cell 3D
Steel Diver
Super Monkey Ball 3D
Super Street Fighter IV
The Sims 3
Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Shadow Wars

Don’t see your favorite on the list gamer? Not to worry as Nintendo has you covered with many more titles now available to pre-order throughout 2011.

Probably one of the most anticipated is being released (tentatively) on June 19, 2011. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D has recently released a trailer for the game. Originally released for the Nintendo64 system in 1998, the game is being updated to include remastered graphics and 3D graphics. Some other new features include:

• Boss Challenge: After beating each boss, you can relive that fight and try to improve your time. Once you defeat all eight bosses, you can choose to run a gauntlet of them all and try to survive.

• Hint movies: New to the game and great for new players will welcome the hint-movie system, which will give them a glimpse of the future and how they need to proceed in order to see all of the game’s action and story.

• Master Quest: Once you’ve completed the game, you gain access to the Master Quest where the world has been mirror-flipped, and the dungeon puzzles are all different.

“The Japanese videogame maker said U.S. sales of its 3DS reached nearly 400,000 units in its first week of sales. That was slightly less than the original Nintendo DS, which launched during the Thanksgiving holiday week.”