Skip to main content

Nintendo 3DS to launch with 18 games

Image used with permission by copyright holder

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
Recommended Videos

(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
Former Digital Trends Contributor
As DT's Deputy Editor, Jeff helps oversee editorial operations at Digital Trends. Previously, he ran the site's…
3 new PS Plus games that you should play this weekend (December 27-29)
Key art for Star Wars: Tales from Galaxy's Edge - Enhanced Edition.

Did you just get a PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro, or PlayStation VR2 for Christmas? If so, you've come to the right place. One of the best things you can do is buy a PlayStation Plus Premium or Extra subscription, as that will give you access to a large catalog of games from every PlayStation platform to check out on your new hardware. As for more specific recommendations, this week I want to highlight some of the hidden gems that were part of December's addition to PS Plus. That includes a Star Wars game that's one of the best PSVR2 titles, an eerie Alien game that you only have another week or so to claim, and an underrated 2023 indie.
Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge -- Enhanced Edition
Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge Enhanced Edition - Official Trailer | PS VR2

One standout launch title for PSVR2 was Star Wars: Tales from the Galaxy's Edge -- Enhanced Edition. This is a VR game that does a fantastic job of whisking players away and immersing them in various parts of the Star Wars world as a Jedi, bounty hunter, and more. That includes a digital version of Batuu, the planet that Galaxy's Edge at Disneyland and Disney World is based on. It's still one of the best games you can play on PSVR2 and worth checking out for any Star Wars fan. In general, PS Plus Premium's VR game catalog is worth it for anyone who owns Sony's headset. Tales from the Galaxy's Edge is simply the latest cherry on top.

Read more
You can play Halo’s original 1999 demo for the first time
Master Chief in Halo Combat Evolved.

The Halo franchise has been around for a long time, but we've never seen a leak quite this big before. More than 25 years of Halo content has leaked onto the internet, including a playable version of the game from before it was even a first-person shooter.

Halo Studios — formerly 343 Industries — has been working with the modding team Digsite since last summer to scour through game files and bring back content that hadn't made it off the cutting room floor, according to Video Games Chronicle. Last month's release of the Halo 2 E3 2003 demo was the result of this project.

Read more
Infinity Nikki’s first major update is just around the corner
Infinity Nikki promotional art.

If you haven't tried Infinity Nikki yet, the game is a whirlwind of dresses, quests, fish to catch, bugs to net, and so much more. It's already been downloaded more than 20 million times since release, and it's popularity will only grown when the Shooting Star Season update lands on December 30. For anyone that wants a cozy, lighthearted experience to shoo away the winter chill, this laid-back game is an easy choice.

The update will add new outfits for you to burn Whimstars on, limited-time events like the Wish Festival, and even more of Miraland's unique characters and story to explore. One outfit even gives Nikki a blue-green hairstyle reminiscent of Hatsune Miku.

Read more