What do StreetPass and SpotPass Do?
These are two key features of the new handheld; they basically allow the 3DS to interact online while the device is in Sleep mode. StreetPass will let your 3DS connect with other nearby 3DS handhelds for a variety of things. Game statistics can be compared, high scores can be swapped, objects can be traded and, in the case of Super Street Fighter IV, simulated battles can be fought. Essentially this mode will perform tasks that could unlock additional content while you aren’t playing.

SpotPass is how the 3DS interacts with WiFi signals. Software, updates, videos and other content will be automatically downloaded when the device is in Sleep mode and within an authorised WiFi signal. For example, if you leave SpotPass on while the device charges overnight in the morning your favourite titles may have downloaded brand new content for you.

These modes are optional and if you switch the 3DS off completely these modes will not activate.

Are Any Games Included?
There are no games included in the box although some retailers may put together their own bundle deals which include the 3DS, a game and an array of accessories. While there isn’t a game included there is a range of pre-installed software and programs including…

Mii Maker which helps you create new Nintendo Mii characters by using the 3DS cameras to map facial features. The 3DS Miis are more complex versions than those used on the Wii. Mii Plaza also allows you to interact with your created Miis and any you have transferred from other systems.

Face Raiders again uses the cameras to capture your likeness; this time your face, or a willing victim’s, is used to create enemies which you battle in a shoot-em-up game.

An Activity Log tracks your game stats but also uses a pedometer to record the number of steps you’ve taken that day. The 3DS rewards progress in both to unlock Nintendo Coins which can be used to buy additional items or unlock content in a game.

There will also be support for 3D video, DS titles and downloadable games which we’ll explain a little later.

Which Games Are Available On Release Day?
The titles available on launch day aren’t completely known yet; some games are exclusive to certain regions while others may be released a few days after the launch. These are the titles we know about…

Ridge Racer 3D
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D
Super Monkey Ball 3D
Rayman 3D
The Sims 3
LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition – which will make full use of the StreetPass feature for simulated battles.

Nintendo also have three titles available at launch, flying game Pilotwings Resort, submarine warfare title Steel Diver and the sure to be massively popular Nintendogs + Cats.

Can I Play My Old Games?
All original DS and DSi games are supported on the 3DS, the 3D effects will not be available though. While the 3DS has a slightly different shaped game cartridge the old games slot in perfectly. Unlike the DS there is no Game Boy Advance slot so the Guitar Hero Grip will not be compatible.

Nintendo have stated that an online store will be available where users can buy classic Game Boy and Game Boy Colour titles. There are no plans to make Game Boy Advance titles available; there are also no plans to unify the 3DS store with the Wii equivalent and allow users to enjoy downloadable Wii titles on the 3DS.

What Options Are There?
The 3DS will come in two colours at launch; “Cosmo Black” and “Aqua Blue”, the blue version is closer to a teal colour though. The 3DS’ memory can also be expanded, a 2GB SD card is included but it can be swapped out for higher capacity cards giving you more space to store photos, MP3s and downloaded content.

Will There Be Other 3D Content?
While 3D gaming is really cool the 3DS will also have other ways to show off glasses-free 3D visuals. Partnerships with Sky Sports, Eurosport and Aardman, the makers of Shaun the Sheep, will result in short 3D movies and clips, other downloadable 3D content is expected as the 3DS becomes more popular. 3DS owners will also be able to take their own 3D pictures using the 3DS’ dual cameras and Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has stated that he’d like to see the 3DS shoot video in the future.

How Much Does It Cost?
Nintendo are selling the 3DS for 25,000 Yen in Japan and in America it costs around $250. Nintendo has let European retailers set their own prices for the 3DS and prices are around the £230 mark.

When Can I Get One?
Nintendo are releasing the 3DS in different regions on different days. It’s already available in Japan as it was released on February 25th. North Americans will be able to buy them on March 27th and it will be released in Europe two days earlier on March 25th. The devices have region locking so games imported from Japan will only work on a Japanese 3DS.

Unfortunately the onboard cameras are only VGA so don’t expect to shoot your own version of Avatar but it should be good enough to satisfy budding film makers. What other features would you like to see added to the 3DS, aside from maybe an extended battery?

One exciting new feature is the use of Motion Controls, the Wii and the PlayStation Move both use motion as a game interface the 3DS will bring a scaled down version to your pocket. By tilting and turning the 3DS you’ll be able to move and effect things in games. Nintendo have previously tried motion controls on a handheld with the crazy, but brilliant, WarioWare Twisted on the GameBoy Advance, this came with an enlarged cartridge that housed a gyro sensor.

The SpotPass feature was explored; it will also be used to download additional game content and video clips. Europe will be able to get 3D sports clips from Sky 3D and Eurosport; a partnership with UK animation company Aardman was also revealed as were plans to produce 3D shorts starring Shaun the Sheep.

StreetPass was also explained, it will be used to transfer Mii characters between systems automatically; Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition will also use StreetPass for automatic battles.

Team Ninja, Konami and Ubisoft all revealed titles coming to the 3DS including Dead or Alive, Ghost Recon and Pro Evolution Soccer 2011. Nintendo also revealed first party titles Pilotwings Resort and Nintendogs + Cats. Steel Diver, the submarine based game, will also use the motion controls to turn the periscope in game.

Mii creation is sped up by using the Mii Maker with the onboard cameras, take a picture of yourself and your 3DS will create a Mii for you automatically which you can then tweak. An internet browser and eShop will be added once a software update is sent out. The Augmented Reality cards included in the box let you take a picture with your Mii avatar and also let you play games.

Finally, after much teasing, Nintendo revealed the official European release date; March 25th, a price was not announced but many stores are marking it at a little over £200. Mark your calendars and ready your bank balance as the release date is coming around very soon. Interested in getting one? Hyped about some of the features? Let us know in the comments section.

- A 2GB SD card to store save files, photos, etc

- A 10cm Nintendo 3DS touch pen (to keep your screen smear free)

- Instruction booklets

- An AC adapter

- A charger stand

- 6 Augmented Reality cards, which look something like this...

Augmented Reality, for those of you out there scratching your heads, is a cool way of viewing digital content. By loading up a special program and viewing certain symbols through a digital camera the software can decode the image and display something cool like a 3D model or an animation. It’s not been made clear what these AR cards will do but you can probably expect them to show off the 3DS’ glasses free 3D display.

As well as Augmented Reality another cool use of the 3DS has been revealed. Since the 3DS is a portable console Nintendo want you to carry it with you everywhere. Inside the 3DS is a pedometer which tracks how much walking you do, this information is tracked in the console’s Activity Log. But rather than just telling you how far you’ve walked Nintendo intend to reward you for your work with digital coins. These coins can be used to access content in certain titles. Your walk home just suddenly became rewarding.

If silicone and circuitry is your thing, you might want to take a look at THIS. Not only have we had a sneaky peek at what comes with the 3DS but now we’ve had a peek inside the 3DS itself. Rumours suggest that this is the same 3DS that was shown off in a YouTube video, only now it’s in pieces. I hope I never see the insides of a 3DS for real as that would probably mean I’ve dropped it.

Finally, remember Nintendo warning against the use of the 3D effect for children under six? Now Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has said the warning was meant to be seen as a “precautionary measure” but the warning was “based on the opinions of experts that the company has consulted”. Those experts clearly aren’t the American Optometric Association who state that 3D technology “may actually help uncover subtle disorders” and also suggested that the 3D effect could be used by children under six as long their eyes are developing correctly. So is it safe or not? Who knows, there’s still plenty of time for other studies before the February/March launches.

Expect more new information on the 3DS next week when Nintendo hold press events in Amsterdam and New York.

The 3D versions of Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Super Monkey Ball, Pilotwings and Dead or Alive will be released in the Spring along with a version of Resident Evil based around the unlockable mercenaries game mode from previous console titles. Coming later in the year are two eagerly anticipated titles, Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater and Icarus Kid: Uprising which both be released in the Summer along with 3D versions of Bomberman, Tetris and Star Fox 64.

Scarily a number of big titles are still yet to have their release dates confirmed these include Mario Kart, Kingdom Hearts 3D, Animal Crossing, Paper Mario, Resident Evil: Revelations and the crossover title, Professor Layton vs Ace Attorney.

Aside from game announcements Nintendo also released their shipping plans for the eagerly awaited console. Nintendo aim to ship 1.5 million handhelds to Japan alone and spread 2.5 million of the devices around the world, a combined total of 4 million consoles all by March 31st.

One final piece of news that came out of Nintendo’s Tokyo event was some details on the 3DS’ battery life. Nintendo estimate anywhere between 3 to 8 hours play time on the device, with around a 3 and a half hour charge time. Playing older, 2D DS games will push the battery life up to the higher bounds while playing 3D titles with the 3D dialled all the way up will bring it the play time down. To put that battery life into perspective, the original DS model gave 10 to 14 hours, the latest DSi XL version can last between 13 and 17 hours. You can safely assume a range of power extending add-ons will be released by accessory makers soon after launch.

More press events, and hopefully more 3DS news, will be coming soon.

Nintendo’s new handheld console will be available for hands-on playing at Nintendo World in Japan; the event will run from January 8th – 10th so there’s still a little time to book your flights. If you’re lucky enough to get there you’ll be able to look at 32 new games including Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Resident Evil Revelations and Kid Icarus: Uprising. Nintendo will also be showing off the 3DS versions of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, Paper Mario, Kingdom Hearts and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. Another hands-on preview will be held in New York City on January 19th.

If you want to see how the 3DS will stack up to the other DS models available check out this video…

While the camera work is a little blurry you can make out the twin cameras on the lid, for taking 3D photos, the interior camera and the new analogue stick above the D-pad. It’s certainly looking good in black and when you consider the extra technology being crammed inside the shell it’s a good size too. This particular 3DS doesn’t seem to be able to play any games, due to a lack of firmware on the unit.

The new 3DS has two 3.5 inch screens; the top screen uses two layered LCDs to create 3D images. The bottom screen is a touch panel like the other DS models. Gyroscopic and motion sensors can detect how you’re holding and moving the 3DS which may lead to some movement based gameplay.

The closest competitor was Sony’s Playstation 2 which has sold 50 million systems but this is across all of North America including the U.S, Mexico and Canada.

Nintendo’s newest portable console, the 3DS, will launch in the U.S March.

The 3DS, the update to the successful DS console, goes on sale in late February in Japan and in Europe and America in March. The 3DS has two screens, like the original DS, but the top screen will show 3D images without requiring glasses by layering two screens that show slightly different viewpoints creating a 3D image.