Nintendo 3DS launches March 27th for $249.99

The Mobile Gaming king Nintendo has officially dated their latest offering.  The Nintendo 3DS, the glasses free 3D mobile gaming system will be released on March 27th with a price of $249.99.  The price is around what was expected but also more expensive then a Wii and Xbox arcade edition.  Nintendo has promised 30+ games between the initial launch window of March-June  Some of those titles include Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D, Dead or Alive Dimensions, Rabbids 3D, Resident Evil: Revelations, a new Paper Mario, and Madden.  Remakes of some of the Gameboy and Gameboy color games will be added to the Virtual Console as well (Advance Wars, Final Fantasy Tactics anyone?).  The new system is literally stuffed with features.  Read on for the full details.

The system features motion and gyro sensors to further enhance gameplay.  It also has a new circle pad which replaces the old D-pad for analog stick style control.  You can adjust the 3D depth or turn it off completely with the 3D depth slider located on the right side of the screen.  There is a 3D camera on the back that allows you to take 3D photos, no video support at this time sadly.  The system comes with a charging cradle and a 2GB SD card which are welcome additions.  The games still come on those little SD card sized cartridges, they just have a slight lip preventing you from trying to load them into an older DS.  There is a new Streetpass feature that lets you share scores and info wirelessly as you pass people on the street.  It is good to see that Nintendo isn't resting on the success of the DS and instead is pushing forward.  Look for a full review as we get closer to the launch date.  The full specs via Nintendo.com are posted below.

Included in Hardware The following is included in the hardware set:

1. Nintendo 3DS system
2. Nintendo 3DS charging cradle
3. Nintendo 3DS AC adapter
4. Nintendo 3DS stylus
5. SD Memory Card (2GB)
6. AR Card(s) (view the cards using the outer cameras to play supported AR games)
7. Quick-Start Guide
8. Operations Manual (including warranty)

Characteristic Features

1. 3D screen, enabling 3D view without the need for special glasses and the ability to adjust or turn off 3D effect with the 3D Depth Slider.
2. Stereo cameras that enable users to take 3D photos that can be viewed instantly on the 3D screen.
3. New input interfaces including the Circle Pad, motion sensor, gyro sensor
4. SpotPass, a feature that lets Nintendo 3DS detect wireless hotspots or wireless LAN access points and obtain information, game data, free software, videos and so on for players even when the system is in sleep mode.**
5. StreetPass, a feature that lets Nintendo 3DS exchange data automatically with other Nintendo 3DS systems within range, even in sleep mode once this feature is activated by the user. Data for multiple games can be exchanged simultaneously.
6. Convenient features that users can access without stopping game play such as the HOME menu, Internet Brower, Notifications, etc.
7. Plenty of built-in software such as the Nintendo 3DS Camera, Nintendo 3DS Sound, Mii Maker, StreetPass, Mii Plaza, AR Games, Activity Log, Face Raiders, etc.
8. Nintendo eShop where users can view trailers, software rankings and purchase software.
9. System Transfer which enable users to transfer already purchased software from one Nintendo 3DS system to another. DSiWare purchased for the Nintendo DSi or the Nintendo DSi XL can also be transferred into a Nintendo 3DS system.***
10. Compatibility functions where both new software designed for Nintendo 3DS and most software for the Nintendo DS family of systems can be played.
11. Parental Controls which enable parents to restrict game content by ratings as well as use of specific wireless connectivity, 3D functionality, etc.****

Size (when closed) 2.9 inches high, 5.3 inches long, 0.8 inches deep.

Weight Approximately 8 ounces (including battery pack, stylus, SD memory card)

Upper Screen Wide-screen LCD display, enabling 3D view without the need for special glasses. Capable of displaying approximately 16.77 million colors. 3.53 inches display (3.02 inches wide, 1.81 inches high) with 800 x 240 pixel resolution. 400 pixels are allocated to each eye to enable 3D viewing.

Lower Screen LCD with a touch screen capable of displaying 16.77 million colors. 3.02 inches (2.42 inches wide, 1.81 inches high) with 320 x 240 pixel resolution.

Cameras One inner camera and two outer cameras. Resolutions are 640 x 480 for each camera. Lens are single focus and uses the CMOS capture element. The active pixel count is approximately 300,000 pixels.

Wireless Communication 2.4 GHz. Enabling local wireless communication among multiple Nintendo 3DS systems for game play and StreetPass. Enabling access to the Internet through wireless LAN access points (supports IEEE802.11 b/g with the WPA™/WPA2™ security feature). Recommended distance of wireless communication is within 98.4 feet. This can be shorter depending on the enviromental situation. WPA and WPA2 are marks of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

Input Controls Input controls are the following:

1. A/B/X/Y Button, +Control Pad, L/R Button, START/SELECT
2. Circle Pad (enabling 360-degree analog input)
3. Touch screen
4. Embedded microphone
5. Camera
6. Motion sensor
7. Gyro sensor

Other Input Controls Other input controls are the following:

1. 3D Depth Slider (enabling smooth adjustment of the 3D level effect)
2. HOME (HOME button brings up the HOME menu)
3. Wireless switch (can disable wireless functionality even during game play)
4. POWER button

Connector Connector includes:

1. Game Card slot
2. SD Card slot
3. Cradle connector
4. AC adapter connector
5. Audio jack (stereo output)

Sound Stereo speakers positioned to the left and right of the top screen (supports virtual surround sound).

Stylus Telescoping stylus (approximately 3.94 inches when fully extended).

Electric Power AC adaptor (WAP-002 [USA]). Nintendo 3DS Battery Pack (lithium ion battery) [CTR-003].

Charge Time About 3.5 hours

Battery Duration When playing Nintendo 3DS software about 3-5 hours. When playing Nintendo DS software about 5-8 hours. Battery duration differs depending on the brightness setting of the screen. The information regarding battery duration is a rough standard. It can be shorter depending on what functions of the Nintendo 3DS system are used.

Game Card Nintendo 3DS Game Card. The size is approximately the same as Nintendo DS Game Card.

via: Nintendo