The Nintendo 3DS is exactly that: a 3D, Nintendo DSi. It is the only device on the planet that can display full 3D images without those nerdy 3D glasses. The 3.5″ 3D display allows for users to change the effectiveness of the 3D graphics, and can turn it on, off, or somewhere between that (middle on, middle off?). Otherwise the 3DS also has two cameras instead of one on the outer shell which allows for 3D image taking (yes, you read that), and one extra camera (making it three) on the inside, so you can your face (ugly or beautiful). Then there’s the gyropscope, motion sensor, and Wi-Fi connectivity that sniffs out free connections and gets on the network without your telling it to. Sounds like a Dilbert fantasy if you ask us, but rest assured, it’s all real. Except there’s no pricing, release date, or anything else for that matter.

Darn. It.

Big news in the gaming industry today! Nintendo (the Japanese Giant) has announced that in the next fiscal year (which begins next month in Japan and ends March 2011) they will launch a successor to the Nintendo DS/DSi which includes updated hardware. One of the main new features is 3D gaming, sans those petty glasses.

In the meantime, what we do know besides the target release date is that there’s no pics of it/no price/no specs, but we do know that 3DS is that name of the device and it will be backwards compatible with DS/DSi games (meaning it will contain two cameras, one front-facing, one back) and will surely hit Japan first.

And as a reminder, the DSi XL is coming to the States on March 28th. Seems pretty pointless now, eh?

Source: Nintendo (PDF!)

[Via Associated Press]

Continuing the “Holiday Gift Guide” is the Gaming category. I’m going to list the gaming consoles that your money deserves for this holiday shopping season. And of course the Xbox 360 is in there, why wouldn’t it be? Let’s begin with the Gift Guide for gaming, shall we?

Microsoft Xbox 360

I’m sure you knew this would be your best bet, wouldn’t it? What’s better is that there are different packages to choose from, and they’re all affordable. Netflix streaming, the latest (and best) games, Xbox Live Gold (you’ll have to pay for it though), and of course the HD graphics make the Xbox 360 one of the best gaming systems of all time. It comes in 3 different versions: the Arcade package for $199.99, $299.99   120 GB Elite version, and the $399.99 250GB Elite. It’s your choice. Compare all 3 consoles here, and buy it from different retailers here.

Sony Playstation 3 Slim

The PS3 Slim isn’t going to let the Xbox 360 get what it wants so easily. Packed with a 120 GB hard drive (a 250 GB is available also), DualShock 3 controller, PlayStation Network, and great games make the $299.99 PS3 Slim a good buy. Even though the game library isn’t fine tuned yet, remember Gran Turismo 5 is making its way soon. Did I forget to mention  Modern Warfare 2 is already out? Buy it from SonyStyle here, and compare the two versions here.

Nintendo Wii

The Nintendo Wii. It’s so popular you probably know everything you need to know about it, any maybe (surely) have used it. Starts at $199.99, comes with the Wii Remote, Nunchuck controller, Sensor Bar, and a library of endlessly excellent games. Don’t forget Zelda and Mario. Just don’t forget also that there’s no HD;  one of the only deal-breakers. Buy it from different retailers here.

Sony PSP Go

It doesn’t quite feel at “home”, so to speak. High price tag ($249), unimpressive looks, and the major deal-breaker: You can’t play your UMD games because it’s digital only. If there’s one thing we know about the PSP Go, it’s it won’t sell very well at all. buy it from SonyStyle (cough) here. A better option is the cheaper, larger screened, UMD-compatible, and much more reasonable PSP-3000, which you can buy from Sony Style here for $169.99.

Sony PSP-3000

Nintendo DSi

A major improvement overall. 2 cameras (yes, two), one of which points to your face, is what makes the DSi so good. Yes, there aren’t many stuff to download off the store, but bigger screens, audio recording, web browsing, SD card expansion, and direct-game-downloads make the DSi a very popular and good option in the portable sector. Buy it from different retailers here for $169.99.

Next up in the Holiday Gift Guide: it’s secret. Yes, you’ll have to wait until it’s posted, but you can be sure it has to do with something very popular.