Nintendo 3DS Onboard Storage For Game Installation?

This was not disclosed during the unveiling of the Nintendo 3DS. However, a Japanese business newspaper claims that the upcoming Nintendo 3DS gaming console may allow users to store multiple games on an onboard storage device in place of the conventional cartridges.

According to Kotaku, the move can be in an attempt to curb piracy since it will make the use of R4 cartridges to store multiple games unnecessary. However, that line of thought seems unlikely since this move will actually make it easy for pirated games to be stored more conveniently on an onboard storage.

The reason for the move may then be to make the game more portable. Cartridges are seen as a technology that can inconvenience portability and Nintendo’s move may be to fight just this. But this is rumor after all, and so have a pinch of salt ready.

[via Kotaku]

Nintendo 3DS UK Launch In 2011

Here’s some early morning disappointment for UK based gamers looking to get their hands on the next big thing from Nintendo. A senior source from the company has confirmed that Nintendo 3DS shall not be reaching the English shores anytime this year.

The information comes courtesy T3 who write that the launch is now tentatively scheduled for early 2011. That would mean holiday shoppers may now have to strike 3DS out of their shopping list.

Nintendo 3DS is a next generation portable gaming console that will provide 3D gaming experience to users without the need for them to wear 3D glasses. The console was earlier expected to reach UK ahead of its launch in the US and Japanese market.

[via T3]

Nintendo DS For Left Handed People

Left handed gamers do not have it easy many times. Most games and the consoles they are played on are often built with the right handed user in mind that can often be difficult for the lefties. A recently filed patent application from Nintendo has sought rights for the technology that can make their consoles left-hander friendly as well.

This is how it will work. Users shall be asked if they are left handed or right handed. Depending on the answer, the content on the display screen shall be turned by 180 degrees so that users may use their left hand instead of their right to use the controllers.

The patent reads,

“According to this first aspect, while the second control mode is set, the image data output portion outputs the image data representing an image incident on the image pick-up portion in the orientation rotated by 180 degrees as compared with the case where the first control mode is set. The image data output from the image data output portion is stored in the storage portion under the control of the storage instruction control unit. Through such processing, typically, in a manner of use where a direction in which the information processing device is held is rotated by 180 degrees for use between a right-handed user and a left-handed use”

[via USPTO]

Nintendo 3DS To Launch During Christmas Holidays 2010

We have heard a few rumors about the Nintendo 3DS of late. Last week, there were speculations that the soon to be launched device might possibly incorporate a 3D camera. These reports have now been confirmed by Nintendo CFO Yoshihiro Mori.

Now we are also hearing that the Nintendo 3DS shall come with a widescreen display. Currently, the displays are in the 4:3 ratio. Also, it has been confirmed that the 3DS will come with additional security features like DRM encrypted gaming cartridges to prevent privacy.

The launch is expected to happen during the Christmas holiday season. This is noted from a FCC filing which has requested for confidentiality that expires just in time for the holiday season.

[via Kotaku]

3D Camera On Nintendo 3DS A Possibility

Ever since Sharp announced that it was launching a 3D camera module for mobile phones, speculations are rife that the technology could come available on the latest Nintendo 3DS. The speculations are not entirely baseless. Sharp and Nintendo have also been rumored to be in a partnership where the latter has been using Sharp’s glasses-free parallax barrier technology on the Nintendo 3DS. So, a 3D camera module on Nintendo 3DS is very much a possibility.

Sharp’s 3D camera module is capable of capturing 720p video in 3D. While that’s impressive, we wonder if this feature is going to add anything to Nintendo in its selling proposition. What do you think?

[via TechRadar]

Black Nintendo Wii Launch Date Announced

Rumors last week about a black colored Nintendo Wii launching in May were quite on the mark. It has now been confirmed that the gaming console shall launch in the American market on May 9th.

UberGizmo writes,

“The Black Wii will come with Wii Sports Resort and a Wii MotionPlus accessory (for games like archery) – This is like a 20% accessory + game bonus. Note that the bundles will also be available with the white Wii, starting on May 9th.”

The price of the console has been confirmed to be $199.99 by resellers and Nintendo.

[via UberGizmo]

Black Nintendo Wii Launch And Price In USA

Nintendo introduced a black colored Wii console in Japan last year. The popular color variant could be coming to American shores soon according to reports on Kotaku. According to sources from Target, GameStop and Future Shop, the black Nintendo Wii is being prepped for a pre-order soon. The gaming console could be available from May.

Gamers from Canada too can expect the black colored variant to be made available from next month. The black Nintendo Wii will also include Wii Sports Resort and a Wii MotionPlus add-on. The console is expected to be put on sale at $199.99

[via Kotaku]

Sony PlayStation 3 Repositioning In Console War

Sony PS3 is not going to be yet another gaming console. In an effort to  create a niche in the market which is now heavily fought among the three major console manufacturers – Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft. Sony is believed to position the new PS3 as a device that will get users much more than just gaming. The Playstation is marketed with the “It only does everything” tagline.

The older generation of PlayStation lost out to Nintendo and Microsoft simply because of its higher price and introduction of features like Blu-Ray that were not deemed necessary on a product positioned as a gaming device.

Taking the cue from the past failure, the new device shall launch at an attractive $299 and is positioned as a device that bring to users features more than just gaming. VentureBeat writes,

“Instead of marketing the PS3 as a hardcore game console, the company is touting the fact that it can play high-definition Blu-ray movies, host video chats, and play music. On top of that, consumers are finally ready to network all of their devices in the home together via the web, and the PlayStation Network and PS3 are a solid platform to do that.”

I think it is an opportune time for Sony to bring an integration of several platforms and the fact that there is an attractive price drop is only a bonus. Look forward to a stiffer competition between gaming console makers in the months ahead.

[via VentureBeat]