Following the 3DS’s official coming out party that was held a few weeks ago in Japan, Nintendo has planned similar press events to announce details concerning the launch of the handheld in the European and US territories. The time difference between the two territories means that I have graciously removed myself from my bed to bring details from the European conference as they happen, as well as details exclusive to the American conference.
European Event Details
- Jonathon Ross (BBC personality) hosting the European press event
- European PR director, Lauran Fischer, reintroduced the notion that Nintendo has been experimenting with 3D since the NES days.
- “…Almost all of your DS games are backwards compatible” – Not sure of titles that would not be supported (Maybe covering basis of the lack of support of Guitar Hero peripheral based games?)
- Street Pass has been branded as “Spot Pass” (At least in Europe)
- Nintendo in talk with a number of WiFi hotspot providers across Europe to work directly with Spot Pass.
- Euro Sport will provide 3D video content available on Spot Pass across Europe, with Nintendo also working with content providers on a country per country level (Sky in the UK listed as an example).
- David Sproxton, Executive Chair of Aardman Animation (Wallace and Gromit, Flushed Away) introduced. Aardman are bringing 1 minute exclusive 3D shorts of Shaun the Sheep on Spot Pass.
- FRIEND CODES ARE DEAD (almost) – Only one single hardware level code, with local players being registered instantly.
- Yoshinori Ono (Director of Street Fighter 3D) is on to talk about Street Pass, trophies, modes and other features exclusive to the 3DS. 35 Characters, I REPEAT 3-5.
- Yves Guillemot introduces 8 Ubisoft games available across the launch window.
- Konami is up – Pro Evo Soccer is a game.
- Now Team Ninja to talk about DOA: Dimensions…which is also a game. (Online, Co-Op, Spot Pass), touch screen combos detailed.
- Now on to Nintendo… Pilotwings, Nintendogs, Steel Diver, AR Cards, Face Shooting, Kid Icarus, GB and GBC on 3DS shop.
- March 25th, 2011, Further details on price in different countries will be coming soon.
- 25 Games available across launch window.
American Details
- 30 Titles will be released between Nintendo and its 3rd parties over the launch window (between release and E3)
- $249.99, March 27th, 2011.
So.. Nothing real new was announced as far as software at either event, but a solid price (For the US) and release date are nice to finally have. Look for more coverage of the 3DS launch as March 27th looms ever closer.
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