Tiny Diggers – An iPad Construction Truck Game for Kids Age 2-5

Yesterday Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime unveiled the 3DS at a major press event, calling it a “game changer” and “the next big step in the modern era of video games.” I was lucky enough to attend the event. I’ll put my thoughts on the games that Nintendo had on display in a separate article. ‘Cause I, like, played all of them. So for now, let’s look at what Fils-Aime said about the device… which, thanks to the unique 3D capabilities, he claims stands in a “category of one.”

The biggies: the price is $249.99 (same as the launch price of the PSP, if you’ll recall) and the US launch date is March 27.

Reggie stressed three angles to the 3DS: 3D gaming, 3D video playback, and 3D photography. While the first is obvious and the other two have been known for some time, Reggie was quick to point out that the video playback will likely come from licensed sources. He did not mention how we’re getting 3D movies, whether on a 3DS cart or through the 3DS version of the Wii Shop Channel. Which, by the way, is named the Nintendo eShop… sounds generic enough that I wager that’s a preview of whatever console comes after the Wii.

And yup, for the first time ever, Game Boy and Game Boy Color games will be available to download on the 3DS Virtual Console. No prices were mentioned. Speaking of that, Reggie also did not mention the expected MSRP

Fils-Aime verified that the Friend Code system will be drastically reduced with the 3DS, with a single code that identifies the system online. No more game-specific codes! If two 3DS systems are in local WiFi range, codes can be exchanged without having to type them in.

The 3DS contains a built-in pedometer kind of thing that will track your steps and turn them into virtual currency that can be used to unlock items in games that support that.

Since systems like StreetPass and SpotPass allow the 3DS to transfer info (such as Miis) while in Sleep mode. Since the 3DS comes with a charging cradle, Reggie mentioned that you never really need to turn it off. A light in the top right corner that indicates battery life will also turn orange if one of your 3DS friends is online.

We’ve seen Mii Maker, the pre-installed camera-based app that will generate a Mii for you, but this was the first I had heard that the 3DS will have its own Mii Plaza. Just like on the Wii, Miis you create or pick up will gather here.

Another pre-installed app is Face Raiders, which puts your face (not your Mii face) and friends’ faces into a shooting gallery. Using the motion-sensing and gyroscope, Face Raiders has you turning and tilting in all directions to locate and shoot the enemy faces over an augmented reality background.

During the launch window – which Reggie defined as launch through E3 – we can expect over thirty 3DS games to arrive on store shelves.