List of Nintendo 3DS Launch Titles

Kris Erickson • Jun 15, 2010 • Comments ()

The Nintendo 3DS is finally here, and it delivers a gaming experience never before seen on a handheld device. Following on from the incredible success of Nintendo's dual screen system, the 3DS allows gamers to view the action in 3D, without the need for special glasses. The system went on sale in North America on March 27th, for the price of $249 USD. Nintendo also announced a substantial list of launch games for the device, which include some old favorites as well as a surprising number of third-party titles. It is great to see that developers have been eager to jump on board, but who can blame them -- the 3DS is clearly going to be the place to be for handheld gaming in 2011 and beyond.

Demand for the system and games is expected to be very strong, and supplies may not be sufficient to meet demand in the weeks following launch. But online retailers still have the 3DS in stock, including Amazon here. Right now when you order the 3DS system from Amazon, you will also get a free $25 credit towards a game of your choice.

The Nintendo 3DS comes with a 3.53-inch top screen and a 3.02-inch bottom touch screen. It has three cameras - one inner and two outer - to deliver the 3D effect and take 3D pictures. It includes a motion sensor, a gyro sensor and even a Slide Pad that allows 360-degree analog input.

First-party 3DS launch titles and prices:

* PilotWings Resort, a flying simulation that lets players soar above Wuhu Island. Vehicles include a plane, a rocket belt, and a hang glider, each with their own characteristics. The 3D display provides a real sensation of flying. | Price: $39.99

* Steel Diver, a new shooter from Nintendo featuring submarines. The updated gameplay will immediately remind old-school players of the arcade classic Hunt for Red October on the SNES | Price: $39.99

* Kid Icarus: Uprising, the long-awaited franchise follow-up to the NES classic. Our hero Pit fights on land and in the air in glorious 3D,in an adventure that features mythical bosses, leading up to the final confrontation with Medusa. | Price: $39.99

* Mario Kart 3DS, a game that no Nintendo device would be complete without. This version runs at 60 frames per second, and surprisingly feels completely fresh as a result the effect of 3D vision on the gameplay. Coming later in 2011. | Price: $39.99

* nintendogs + cats, a new version of the best-selling nintendogs franchise that lets players interact even more with their virtual puppies - and kittens! Start off with a French Bulldog, Toy Poodle, or Golden Retriever, and unlock more than 20 additional breeds in the game. This is the very first title available on launch day | Price: $39.99

* Animal Crossing, A new installment of the charming community-building franchise, with enhanced graphics and features. First shown at E3 2010, this game puts players in the shoes of the town's mayor. With the help of their secretary, the task is to make their town the best. | Price: $39.99

* StarFox 64 3D, a game that demonstrates the true distance and depth of outer space using Nintendo's well-known franchise. We don't know much about this game yet, other than its release later in 2011. | Price: TBA

* Paper Mario, which brings paper-based 2D environments to life. Combat in this game is turn-based, and the title will make good use of the 3D depth feature of the 3DS hardware. Look for it in Fall 2011. | Price: TBA

The Nintendo 3DS also comes to market with the strongest third-party support of any video game system in Nintendo history. Third-party games coming in Spring 2011 include:

* Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D -- Arguably the best Metal Gear Solid console game of all time gets a glorious 3D remake later this year.

* Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition -- One of the best console fighting games from this generation gets even better on the 3DS. This is considered one of the must-have launch games for fans of fighting games.

* Tom Clancy's Shadow Wars -- A turn-based tactical strategy game with RPG elements. The top-down approach and cell-shaded graphics remind us a little bit of the Metal Gear Ac!d card game on PSP.

* Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D -- A 3D stealth-action game in the spirit of the console experience. This game shows off the excellent graphics and beefy hardware of the 3DS.

* The Sims 3D -- Now you can peer even deeper into your sims' virtual lives than ever before. We're not huge fans of this series so we plan to avoid this one.

* Rabbids Travel in Time -- Those naughty rabbits are back in a side-scrolling adventure through 60 time-bending levels. It could be worth checking out for fans of platforming games.

* Resident Evil: Mercenaries -- Hunt down the undead and compete on a worldwide leaderboard solo or cooperatively with a friend. This will definitely appeal to fans of the Mercenaries mode on the console games.

* Shin Megami Tensei -- Demons from another dimension have invaded modern Tokyo and you must save the world in this RPG re-make. A must-have for RPG fans, particularly if you didn't play the 2009 original.

* Asphalt 3D -- an urban racing game featuring cars from real-world manufacturers. we haven't enjoyed previous Asphalt titles and there are probably better racing titles to choose from (get Ridge Racer instead).

* Lego Star Wars III -- The Clone Wars animated TV series comes to (Lego) life in this epic block-smashing adventure. If you like the simple collect-them-all objectives and gameplay of the Lego titles, this might appeal to you.

* Dead or Alive: Dimensions -- There are sure to be lots of jiggly body parts in this new entry in the fighting series, but we're not sure if it is any threat to Street Fighter IV. Graphics are also not up to par compared with other launch games.

* Ridge Racer 3DS -- Tons of sideways racing action through beautiful locations, but weirdly the 3D effect doesn't add much to the experience. Still, a good choice for fans of the arcade racing series.

* Super Monkey Ball 3D -- A game that was practically made for 3D. Guide your monkey through trippy 3D puzzle environments. Even the box art is giving us a weird feeling.

* Bust A Move Universe -- Iconic characters Bub and Bob are back for more bubble-popping levels in this re-boot of the addictive puzzler.

* Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D -- The 3D effect doesn't add much to the great game, but glorious graphics and tight controls make this the best handheld soccer title we've played in a long while.

* Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracles -- The game that needs no introduction, the professor and his sidekick are back for more devious puzzle solving in this beautiful adventure (available late 2011).

* Battle of Giants: Dinosaurs -- It's like one of those Discovery channel specials come to life in this low budget dino-hunting adventure. Basically, you get to pick two behemoths from a list of 18 well-known dinosaurs and make them fight.

* Samurai Warriors: Chronicles -- Entry number 1,459,450 in the long-running beat-em-up series, now in 3D! A great choice for those who enjoy kicking the crap out of endless waves of peons on the medieval Japanese battlefield.

* Rayman 3D -- The disembodied hands and feet of Rayman are back in this quirky platforming action title. An adaptation of the original Dreamcast title that many people may have missed.

* Madden NFL 3D -- the perennial sports franchise goes 3D in this decent handheld adaptation. You can play in both 11-on-11 and 5-on-5 modes.

Other planned 3DS game titles:

* Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance
* Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney
* DJ Hero 3D
* Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy
* Driver: Renegade
* Mega Man Legends 3
* FIFA Soccer from Electronic Arts;
* Codename: Chocobo Racing 3D;
* Final Fantasy franchise game and from Square Enix;
* Ninja Gaiden game from Tecmo Koei Games;
* Saint's Row: Drive By from THQ;
* Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon
* Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Chaos Theory from Ubisoft;
* Batman game from Warner Bros.