Nintendo has added even more promise to their already “gotta be a hit” 3DS handheld 3D video game system coming out later this month. On March 3 Nintendo issued a statement revealing the addition of a dedicated channel for short 3D movies and video game trailers for the 3DS. You can pre-order the 3DS from Amazon.com now for only $249.99 and have it ship out on March 27th, 2011. No doubt game developers, media companies and independents alike will be scrambling to provide the content that will be at the fingertips of the millions forecasted to purchase the new cutting edge Nintendo gaming console.
The statement came at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, and was one of many that Nintendo made about the much-anticipated 3DS to try and stoke the already burning fires of interest in portable gamers’ minds and hearts. However, Nintendo hopes to attract new customers to the portable market as well with features such as the 3D movie channel that they hope to expand into a “made for 3DS” system.
Nintendo execs have stopped short of calling the iPhone and iPad competitors for their portable gaming market share, but with the increase in abilities of smartphones and the number of apps available to the iOS and iTunes app store, it is clear Nintendo needs to take some of the shine off of the Apple and sturdy up what has been a lagging market sector. Nintendo used to absolutely own the mobile gaming marketplace, but early 2011 is looking like an open playing field. It is paramount for Nintendo going forward that the 3DS not only succeed, but do so convincingly.
Reggie Fils-Aime is the head of U.S. operations for Nintendo, and said that the 3DS will fully support the new streaming video Netflix recently announced for all their prime customers. He also stated that by late May or early June, the 3DS will have the capability to access the world wide web through 10,000 nationwide AT&T internet hot spots. Pre-sales are going on now for the 3DS from Amazon.com – so get yours early.
If that isn’t a direct shot across Apple’s bow without calling out their name, nothing is. Further evidence of the Apple biting was the announcement of the eShop (doesn’t the spelling look oddly familiar?) online marketplace similar to the, you guessed it, iTunes app store which will sell downloadable video games and eventually apps for the 3DS. Currently there are about 18 games available for the 3DS, at around $40 each. Apple, Nintendo is coming. Are you ready?
