Nintendo to Add Recording to 3DS, Targets Women With New Model
Nintendo will add functions to its 3DS and target women to spur demand, after sales of the device slumped and led the company to slash its profit forecast to a 26-year low.
A new firmware for the portable Nintendo 3DS systems available in November will include a
feature to allow users to record movies in 3-D, President Satoru Iwata
said at a briefing in Tokyo today. The system update will also provide
new experiences for people who have conquered all the StreetPas
challenges in StreetPass Mii Plaza.
The company also plans to unveil a pink version of the product next month to attract female customers and introduce a tennis game next year starring Nintendo's flagship character Mario, he said.
Nintendo will introduce a slide pad and buttons to allow users to play
the "Monster Hunter 3G" easier for 1,500 yen in December. The new
peripheral will be released in Japan on Dec. 10.
Nintendo's holiday season lineup that features two Mario games - one platformer and one racer - for Nintendo 3DS. The season also sees the arrival of the largest game-development project in Nintendo history: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for the Wii system.
On Nov. 13, Nintendo will release the Super Mario 3D Land game for Nintendo 3DS. Mario Kart 7 will be available Dec. 4 and will include a new optional first-person driving mode that is controlled using the gyro sensor. The game also introduces new playable characters like Lakitu and Metal Mario, and a tricks system like the one in Mario Kart Wii.
Nintendo is offering a free classic game for a limited time. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition will be available to download between Sept. 28, 2011, and Feb. 20, 2012. Fans can download the Nintendo DSiWare version of the game using their Nintendo DSi or Nintendo DSi XL systems, or by accessing the Nintendo eShop with a Nintendo 3DS system (wireless broadband Internet access is required for download). The game allows up to four players who have downloaded the game to play cooperatively and has also been enhanced with a new single-player mode. Unlike the original, all multiplayer game play is handled wirelessly. Once players finish the main quest, they will unlock new stages and abilities to expand the game's replay value.
Fans of Nintendo's downloadable games will be getting a special Zelda treat as well. Between Oct. 3, 2011, and Feb. 20, 2012, select retailers will carry limited-edition cards . The Nintendo 3DS Prepaid Card, which is used in the Nintendo eShop of the Nintendo 3DS system, features an image of Link battling Ganon. The Nintendo Points Card, which can be used in the Wii Shop Channel or Nintendo DSi Shop, shows Link flying high in a scene from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.
In other game news, families can look forward to making fun holiday memories with new games like Fortune Street (Dec. 5) for the Wii console and Fossil Fighters: Champions (Nov. 14) for the Nintendo DS family of systems. Third-party publishers will also release game titles including Just Dance 3 (Oct. 7) for the Wii console from Ubisoft, Go Vacation (Oct. 11) for the Wii console from NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., Skylanders Spyro's Adventure (Oct. 16) for the Wii and Nintendo 3DS systems from Activision Publishing, Zumba Fitness 2 (Nov. 15) for the Wii console from Majesco Entertainment and Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Nov. 15) for the Wii and Nintendo 3DS systems published by SEGA.
Beyond the holiday season, Nintendo is already making plans for 2012. Nintendo is revealing a previously unannounced 3D Mario tennis game for the Nintendo 3DS system. Mario Tennis (name not final) will launch in 2012.
Also in 2012, Nintendo 3DS owners will be able to enjoy a new 3D installment in the Animal Crossing franchise. This version will include a number of options not available in previous versions. These include the ability to become the head of the village and boost its development, a way to install certain items in the village to make its characteristics more personalized for each player, and the ability to view homes of other players who are tagged through StreetPass connections.
In 2012, Nintendo 3DS fans will also see the arrival of new games in the Luigi's Mansion and Paper Mario franchises.
In one final bit of news, the development team for Kid Icarus: Uprising for Nintendo 3DS has determined that more time is needed to complete the game. As a result, the game will now launch in 2012. Nintendo is also in the process of developing 3D Kid Icarus animations with Japanese anime production houses. These animations will be made available free of charge via the Nintendo Video service to Nintendo 3DS owners worldwide.
The company also plans to unveil a pink version of the product next month to attract female customers and introduce a tennis game next year starring Nintendo's flagship character Mario, he said.
Nintendo will introduce a slide pad and buttons to allow users to play
the "Monster Hunter 3G" easier for 1,500 yen in December. The new
peripheral will be released in Japan on Dec. 10.
Nintendo's holiday season lineup that features two Mario games - one platformer and one racer - for Nintendo 3DS. The season also sees the arrival of the largest game-development project in Nintendo history: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for the Wii system.
On Nov. 13, Nintendo will release the Super Mario 3D Land game for Nintendo 3DS. Mario Kart 7 will be available Dec. 4 and will include a new optional first-person driving mode that is controlled using the gyro sensor. The game also introduces new playable characters like Lakitu and Metal Mario, and a tricks system like the one in Mario Kart Wii.
Nintendo is offering a free classic game for a limited time. The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords Anniversary Edition will be available to download between Sept. 28, 2011, and Feb. 20, 2012. Fans can download the Nintendo DSiWare version of the game using their Nintendo DSi or Nintendo DSi XL systems, or by accessing the Nintendo eShop with a Nintendo 3DS system (wireless broadband Internet access is required for download). The game allows up to four players who have downloaded the game to play cooperatively and has also been enhanced with a new single-player mode. Unlike the original, all multiplayer game play is handled wirelessly. Once players finish the main quest, they will unlock new stages and abilities to expand the game's replay value.
Fans of Nintendo's downloadable games will be getting a special Zelda treat as well. Between Oct. 3, 2011, and Feb. 20, 2012, select retailers will carry limited-edition cards . The Nintendo 3DS Prepaid Card, which is used in the Nintendo eShop of the Nintendo 3DS system, features an image of Link battling Ganon. The Nintendo Points Card, which can be used in the Wii Shop Channel or Nintendo DSi Shop, shows Link flying high in a scene from The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.
In other game news, families can look forward to making fun holiday memories with new games like Fortune Street (Dec. 5) for the Wii console and Fossil Fighters: Champions (Nov. 14) for the Nintendo DS family of systems. Third-party publishers will also release game titles including Just Dance 3 (Oct. 7) for the Wii console from Ubisoft, Go Vacation (Oct. 11) for the Wii console from NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc., Skylanders Spyro's Adventure (Oct. 16) for the Wii and Nintendo 3DS systems from Activision Publishing, Zumba Fitness 2 (Nov. 15) for the Wii console from Majesco Entertainment and Mario & Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games (Nov. 15) for the Wii and Nintendo 3DS systems published by SEGA.
Beyond the holiday season, Nintendo is already making plans for 2012. Nintendo is revealing a previously unannounced 3D Mario tennis game for the Nintendo 3DS system. Mario Tennis (name not final) will launch in 2012.
Also in 2012, Nintendo 3DS owners will be able to enjoy a new 3D installment in the Animal Crossing franchise. This version will include a number of options not available in previous versions. These include the ability to become the head of the village and boost its development, a way to install certain items in the village to make its characteristics more personalized for each player, and the ability to view homes of other players who are tagged through StreetPass connections.
In 2012, Nintendo 3DS fans will also see the arrival of new games in the Luigi's Mansion and Paper Mario franchises.
In one final bit of news, the development team for Kid Icarus: Uprising for Nintendo 3DS has determined that more time is needed to complete the game. As a result, the game will now launch in 2012. Nintendo is also in the process of developing 3D Kid Icarus animations with Japanese anime production houses. These animations will be made available free of charge via the Nintendo Video service to Nintendo 3DS owners worldwide.
