We're getting a little bit confused about this now. First, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata says that 3DS is not the handheld's "formal name" - and then, almost at the same time, Nintendo go and register the terms "3DS" and "Nintendo 3DS" as trademarks.
The more we find out, the more it looks like Mr. Iwata may have been telling porkies, as Nintendo seem to have gone through an awful lot of trouble for something that isn't even going to be used as an official name. Along with registering the terms as trademarks, Nintendo have also taken out region specific websites across Europe, and throughout the rest of the world, including www.nintendo3ds.com, and www.nintendo3ds.co.uk.
And while it may just be Nintendo taking out trademarks to cover their backs (or throw newshounds off the trail), it certainly seems a lot more likely that the 3DS name is here to stay.
Interestingly, the term "3DS" isn't the only thing Nintendo have been trademarking, as the Japanese giant have recently gone on something of a trademarking spree - and in doing so, could potentially have revealed some interesting features of their new handheld:
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商願2010-021711 ニンテンドー３ＤＳ (Nintendo 3DS)
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While the latter terms here are obviously just related to the hardware (although it is good to see the DSiWare service may well be returning on the 3DS), there are a few other terms in here that throw up some interesting questions.
Could DSMagazine be a built in portal for people to find the latest Nintendo news?
Are DS Name Card, and DSMessage hints that a more involved, Xbox Live style online system may be coming to the DS, allowing for a single "name card" to be carried over into all games, rather than having to trade friend codes?
And what on earth are DSMovie and DSCinema? Is Nintendo planning some sort of digital download service for the 3DS - letting you watch 3D movies on the go? Or will it have a DSi-style camera embedded, that you'll be able to take videos with?
Of course, just because Nintendo have trademarked a term, it doesn't necessarily mean that we'll see anything come from it - but all signs certainly seem to be hinting at the 3DS being an all singing, all dancing portable media centre of a console.
We'll find out for sure at the Electronic Entertainment Expo, in around a month's time.
