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Nintendo 3DS to launch with 18 games

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Nintendo has revealed the complete North American launch lineup for the Nintendo 3DS, its new 3D, dual-screened, touch-based gaming handheld. The system will hit North American shelves on March 27 for $249.99. Lead by Pilotwings Resort, Steel Diver, and Nintendogs + Cats, all games will launch at $39.99. By June, Nintendo expects more than 30 games will be available for the 3DS.

Here is the full 3DS launch list:

  • Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, Capcom
  • The Sims 3, Electronic Arts
  • Madden NFL Football, Electronic Arts
  • Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D, Konami
  • Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars, LucasArts
  • Ridge Racer 3D, Namco Bandai
  • Super Monkey Ball 3D, Sega
  • Bust-a-Move Universe, Square-Enix
  • Samurai Warriors: Chronicles, Tecmo Koei
  • Asphalt 3D, Ubisoft
  • Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D, Ubisoft
  • Rayman 3D, Ubisoft
  • Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Shadow Wars, Ubisoft
  • Pilotwings Resort, Nintendo
  • Steel Diver, Nintendo
  • Nintendogs + Cats, Nintendo
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(The 3DS comes preloaded with a Mii Maker app, Face Raiders photo game, and some other small minigames.)

Interestingly, just as Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has hinted at, the launch lineup looks very male oriented, filled with action oriented titles. Nintendo may be trying to target a new demographic with the 3DS. By holding back on some of its upcoming games like The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising, and Mario Kart, it is also giving third-party publishers some breathing room on launch day. Also notable is the strong support Ubisoft has given the 3DS. As it did with the Wii and other recent consoles, Ubisoft is heavily supporting the 3DS, releasing four games at launch, which is more than Nintendo itself is committing.

What do you think of the Nintendo 3DS launch lineup? It’s pretty varied for a Nintendo system, we think. Does Nintendo need a Mario game to launch its hardware properly?

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