Nintendo Shows of 3DS at GDC

So Nintendo had their big thing at GDC today (which was mostly over shadowed by some blasted fruit companies announcement) and it focused mostly on the 3DS.  There was some mention of Zelda: Skyward Sword, but the main focus on this was the Nintendo 3DS which comes out the last week of this month.

Reggie Fils-Aime announces Netflix

The focus seemed to be what you are going to get out of your handheld besides your 3D cartridge based games.  One thing they mentioned is that at the end of May 3DS owners will be able to connect to more then 10,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots free of charge, which is very important to their ends goals.  This make the systems SpotPass™ more usefull in the geographically wide United States as it will all you to connect to both user via local connections and users around the country in restaurants, book stores, coffee shops and airports.

The hotspots will also allow users to stream 3D movie trailers to their devices via a short-form video service, so you can watch the Green Lantern trailer in 3D in your hands without pesky glasses.  Along with this comes Netflix integration.  Yes it seems like anything that can show video (except Android devices so far) are getting Netflix and the 3DS is no exception.  Although so far it looks like you are limited to movies in the boring old 2D, you won't have to waste your data plan to watch something while sitting at Starbucks.

The last thing they plan use all this network coverage for is the Nintendo eShop available at the end of May as well.  This is going to function like the Nintendo WiiWare store including classic games (whatever that defines) redone in 3D, DSiWare games, games from the Game Boy™, Game Boy™ Color, Game Gear and TurboGrafx-16, along with the afformentioned video service.  Say, why do we focus so much on games that are 15+ years old?  Must be that whole nostalgia thing kicking in.

Satoru Iwata, president and CEO of Nintendo Co. Ltd., announces Super Mario in 3D for the Nintendo 3DSThen the main thing people (or at least myself) wanted to know is what other first-party games are coming out.  TheyTo this they announced that a 3D (GASP) Super Mario Bros game will come to the DS. Including old style Mario mechanics it will be made by the Super Mario Galaxy team.  So the game looks like it will be in safe hands.  The downside is it will not be a launch title for the system.

And there we have it, the 3DS is coming and Nintendo is trying to give you as much as they can for $249.99 without making the thing a smart phone / tablet.  Now lets see if it pans out for them, shall we?