While the 3DS has been rumoured to be in development for a while, and various different rumours had seemingly started up overnight, there hadn't really been any decisive details released about the console. Until now.
At the end of Nintendo's E3 conference yesterday, the 3DS was finally unveiled, putting an end to all the rumours about what the system will and won't do.
The 3DS. Note the slide pad above the directional pad.
Looking a lot like the original DSi, the system's trademark clamshell opens up to reveal a 3.5 inch widescreen 3D screen on top, with a multi-touch screen on the bottom. The main addition to the controls of the console is a "slide pad" on the left hand side, which will work like an analogue stick. Like recent mobile phones, the 3DS contains a gyrosensor and a motion sensor, allowing the unit to sense when it's being moved or tilted.
But the most exciting part of the 3DS is by far and away the 3D screen, promising to offer glasses-less 3D in the palm of your hand. The 3D effect can be adjusted by a 3D slider on the side of the top half of the DS, allowing you to get a 3D effect that suits your eyes comfortably, or just turn it off completely. Nintendo have also signed a deal with some of the major film companies, including Disney, Warner Bros and Dreamworks, who plan to bring their 3D movies to the system, but as of yet, they haven't announced how this will be done.
Kingdom Hearts, apparently playing on the 3DS. Colour us excited!
Along with the backing of the major Hollywood companies, the 3DS also has the seal of approval from an impressive list of third-party developers, all promising to bring their major franchises to the handheld, including Resident Evil, Metal Gear Solid, Saints Row, the Penguins from Madagascar, Kingdom Hearts, Super Monkey Ball, Professor Layton and the Sims, along with many more.
The first party support is also suitably impressive, with Nintendo bringing Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Paper Mario, Starfox, Kid Icarus, and a remake of the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time to the console.
Kid Icarus: Uprising on the 3DS.
Like the DSi, the 3DS also features a camera, but the 3DS features two separate cameras on the lid, set apart slightly, allowing you to take and view photo's in 3D and share with other 3DS using friends over WiFi.
And for those people who were worried the 3DS was only going to be slightly more powerful that the original DS - Don't panic. From what we've seen so far, it's almost as good as the Wii. Only time will tell if Resident Evil actually looks that good, though.
Unfortunately Nintendo have yet to announce the two most important things: The price and the release date. If we're really lucky we might still see it for Christmas, but don't be surprised if Nintendo keep us waiting until 2011. Take it from us though, it's worth the wait.
