Nintendo 3DS news roundup: early 2012 lineup revealed, DLC coming, sales exceed 4 million in Japan

By Jeffrey Van Camp December 28, 2011

We’ve been a little light on Nintendo 3DS news lately, but things continue to look up for the once struggling handheld. Sources report that Nintendo will offer downloadable content (DLC) for the first time in 2012, hardware sales have eclipsed 4 million units in Japan, and Satoru Iwata has revealed Nintendo’s upcoming game lineup for early 2012.

DLC coming to Fire Emblem: Nintendo added support for DLC within games in a system update earlier this year, but no games have been released that take advantage of the new functionality. That will soon change. According to Nikkei (via 1UP), Fire Emblem for 3DS will have some form of downloadable content in March. Third parties are expected to begin bringing paid DLC content to 3DS titles by summer. Wii U will also have paid DLC support.

3DS sales exceed 4 million in Japan: Enterbrain (via Famitsu) reports that Nintendo 3DS sales in Japan have exceeded 4 million units in only 10 months. The Nintendo DS, by comparison, reached 5 million units in its first 13 months, but it had two holiday seasons to boost those sales. Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 have each sold more than 1 million copies.

3DS 2012 Japan lineup: Nintendo President Satoru Iwata gave a direct broadcast over UStream the other day, where he revealed a few details about upcoming games, like Fire Emblem. Below is a list of games coming to the 3DS (in Japan) in the next few months.

Ghost Camera – Jan. 12
Ace Combat 3D – Jan. 12
Rhythm Thief R – Jan. 19
Beyond the Labyrinth – Jan. 19
Resident Evil Revelations – Jan. 26
Tekken 3D Prime Edition – Feb. 16
Theatrhythm Final Fantasy – Feb. 16
Harvest Moon: Hajimari no Daichi – Feb. 23
New Love Plus – Feb 24
Mario & Sonic at London Olympics – March 1
Metal Gear Solid 3D – March 8
Hatsune Miku and Future Stars Project Mirai – March 8
Girl’s RPG (by Level-5) – March 8
Dynasty Warriors VS – March 15
Kid Icarus Uprising – March 22
Fire Emblem: Awakening – April 19

Not a bad lineup. Let’s hope the US release list is as robust. Do any of these games look good? I’m intrigued by a new Harvest Moon, though the series has been getting repetitive in recent years.

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Jeffrey Van Camp

Former Digital Trends Contributor

As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…

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