This morning Nintendo finally formally announced that the 3DS hand-held gaming console is coming on March 27 in North America. To purchase one of the coveted devices will set you back a cool $249.99.
The glasses-free 3D console will come in two colors at launch: Cosmo Black or Aqua Blue. Additional more vibrant colors will inevitably become available at a later date, possibly as early as this holiday season. For now the two colors to choose from are decidedly masculine in appearance.
Click here to lock in a 3DS pre-order while available at Amazon.com.
Like the existing Nintendo DS models, the 3DS includes two screens; one on the top and one on the bottom. The top screen is where the glasses-free 3D is generated. A slider allows the player to control the intensity of the 3D from none (i.e. 2D) to the full effect.
Also new on the 3DS is a Circle Pad offering a full 360-degrees of rotation that a traditional directional pad cannot. Think of this circle pad as the hand-held version of an analog stick on a console gaming controller.
As with most Xbox 360 and PS3 controllers, the 3DS will include a built-in motion sensor and gyro sensor for select games to react to the up-and-down or side-to-side movement of the console.
3DS will of course be Internet-enabled, but it will also include a new feature called StreetPass that will allow one 3DS system to pass information such as Mii characters or data to another 3DS system.
Pre-loaded on each 3DS are a trio of cameras; two outward facing and one facing the player. The two outward cameras are capable of taking a 3D picture which can then be manipulated in the Face Raiders software, also included.
When in sleep mode, the 3DS is a working pedometer that will allow players to earn Coins that can be traded in for additional content and applications. What comprises the available content and applications has yet to be revealed.
Other 3DS features include an Internet browser that will be offered as a download, a Mii Maker, access to the Nintendo eShop, parental controls, unique friend codes, and 6 AR Cards. The cards will display a 3D image when the 3DS cameras are pointed at them. Available cards are expected to be offered by software developers in the future.
You can secure a 3DS before they inevitably sell out by locking in a pre-order now.
Click here to pre-order the 3DS in Black for $249.99 at Amazon.com.
Click here to pre-order the 3DS in Aqua Blue for $249.99 at Amazon.com.
