Official Nintendo 3DS thread

[The Pope]

Nintendo 3DS

The 3DS will be have the ability to display stereoscopic 3D effects – similar to theatrical movies such as Avatar and How to Train Your Dragon -- on the screen (or screens) but without the need for special glasses.

The system could be released earlier than March 2011.

No official price has been revealed, but expect it to be within the price range of current handheld costs. In North America, the Nintendo DS Lite is currently $129.99, the DSi is currently $169.99, and the DSi XL is $189.99. To remain competitive, expect the cost of the 3DS to fall under $200 in the US.

Nintendo has not revealed any specs for the 3DS system, but expect it to well surpass the Nintendo DS in visual and processor capabilities. To provide stereoscopic 3D effects the system must have the ability to render each game field twice, one for each of the player's eyes, a technique that will require significant horsepower to produce.

Several developers that have experienced 3DS in its current form have reported, off the record, that it has processing capabilities that far exceed the Nintendo Wii and bring the device with abilities that are close to HD consoles such as PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

The 3DS system will likely employ technology that sends two individual images to the left and right eyes of the player. With each screen displaying the same image slightly off-set, the system will force the brain to interpret depth in the same way it does with natural depth perception.

Nintendo has ensured that gamers will have the ability to turn on and off the 3D effect. Off the record sources indicate that the system will have user control over the 3D effect to make it more or less intense.

Apart from standard DS compatible capabilities and its 3D stereoscopic display, not much is known about the 3DS system's extra abilities. Reports in Japan suggest the system will feature an analog stick similar in function to current generation console controls, as well as vibration for in-game "rumble." There is also the potential for accelerometers – similar tech to what's in the Wii remote for motion-sensing capabilities.

the system will most likely retain internal and external cameras of the Nintendo DSi and have the ability to download software straight to solid state storage inside the handheld, as well as feature the standard D-pad and buttons input, touch screen functions, and microphone, and have two screen display.

Just as the Nintendo DSi removed the Game Boy Advance slot from the Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite design, do not expect GBA cartridge compatibility with 3DS.

Standard DS games will likely not have the ability to be displayed in stereoscopic 3D on the 3DS. DS games will likely only be displayed in standard 2D.

What will the 3DS look like?
Nintendo has not revealed the look of the 3DS. As previously mentioned, expect a similar formfactor of the Nintendo DSi to ensure compatibility with previous Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi titles.

Nintendo will kick off its full announcement of the 3DS at this year's E3 in Los Angeles, Ca. June 14-17, 2010. Nintendo's press conference -- expected to at least reveal more details on the system, kicks off at 9am on June 15th.