Nintendo's newest hand-held gaming device- the Nintendo 3DS- is gracing stores with its presence on March 27, 2011. When you go to pick up your DS, you'll have a plethora of 18 games to choose from to start you off. The downfall: all of the games are just a bit more expensive, but for good reason. 

The 3DS is an improved version of the original DS, as it has gone three-dimensional. The cool thing- you do not need 3D glasses to use and play your device.

The new DS (which comes in black and aqua blue and goes for $250) also has built-in features that the old one does not, along with accessible applications. Other software included: a HOME menu, camera, Mii maker, StreetPass Mii plaza, games, face raiders, activity log, Internet browser, sound, 3D video, system transfer and downloads.

It is social. 3D photos, personalization, and wireless play make it easier than ever to share the fun. It is connected—more than any Nintendo system or console before it. And once you get your hands on the Nintendo 3DS system, you will find it hard to ever put it down.

As for system games, they will go for $40, which is only a five-dollar increase since the first DS games. That doesn't seem too high of a difference for a 3D game that comes to life right in front of your eyes, without special glasses. However, experts are concerned about competition, especially with Apple, as games for their iOS devices rarely surpass $10.

There won't be a die hard 3DS character icon like Mario or Zelda for the launch, but this will be made up for by other popular big game names- Super Street Fighter, The Sims, Star Wars, Rayman and Madden. This is a smart move for Nintendo, as they are waiting to debut certain games until more 3DS devices are sold (on-street demos in large cities are being planned):

Nintendo itself will contribute nintendogs + cats, a sequel to its popular pet simulator, along with submarine simulator Steel Diver and Pilotwings Resort. The company seems to be saving its big guns for a little later in the year when there are more 3DS systems in people's hands and the holidays are drawing near. Before the year is out, the company says it plans to release The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising and a new installment in the Mario Kart series.

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By the end of June, Nintendo hopes to increase its number of games from 18 to over 30. Here is the list of 18 launch games that will be available when you purchase your 3DS:

Pilotwings Resort (Nintendo)
Steel Diver (Nintendo)
nintendogs + cats (Nintendo)
Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition (Capcom)
The Sims 3 (EA)
Madden NFL Football (EA)
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D (Konami)
LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars (LucasArts)
Ridge Racer 3D (Namco Bandai)
Super Monkey Ball 3D (Sega)
Bust-a-Move Universe (Square-Enix)
Samurai Warriors: Chronicles (Tecmo Koei America)
Asphalt 3D (Ubisoft)
Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D (Ubisoft)
Rayman 3D (Ubisoft)
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Shadow Wars (Ubisoft)

What game are you going to choose if you decide to be a proud owner of Nintendo's new 3DS?

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