Jeremy has compiled the list, now read the press releases for the confirmed
3DS titles in development. Here is the official word so far from four major publishers: Square-Enix, Hudson, Tecmo-Koei and Namco-Bandai. This is in addition to the games coming from
Konami.
To be honest, I'm genuinely surprised at all this support. With core Wii and DSi support waning in recent months, there's only one reason for the 3DS to get so many high profile games green-lit in a short period of time--developers see potential in the hardware. They obviously see that portable 3D at least isn't just a gimmick, but besides that they're probably excited about the graphical capabilities of the system. With so many games on the cards, it's probably easy to develop for too.
I also have a feeling that developers are trying to prevent the creeping mediocrity that quickly devoured the Wii and eventually smothered the once innovative DS. The only way to establish a platform as a game system for a wide audience is to deliver a large body of quality content for launch or shortly thereafter. Nintendo might have billed the Wii as a game console for everyone but it rapidly descended into shovelware as the focus shifted to cheap casual games, with Nintendo leading the way.
With 3DS, it looks like they're handling it the way they should have with the Wii from the start. They're emphasizing its technical capabilities as well as its novel feature, the 3D, and most importantly they're supporting it with a wide variety of good, solid games, and third parties are following suit. We're not just getting the kid friendly stuff--the system has an exclusive DOA, Resident Evil and Ninja Gaiden lined up, but we're also getting casual-friendly games like Pac-Man, DJ Hero and Monkey Ball.
I think the Wii taught both Nintendo and third parties a valuable lesson, and I'm glad they're putting it into practice with the 3DS. If all goes according to plan, the 3DS could have one of the biggest launches in recent memory.
SQUARE ENIX ANNOUNCES NEW TITLES FOR NINTENDO 3DS
LOS ANGELES (June 15, 2010) – Square Enix Co., Ltd. (SQUARE ENIX) announced today exclusive new titles for Nintendo 3DS (tentative product name).
KINGDOM HEARTS 3D (tentative title), which today premiered globally along with never-before-seen footage, is the newest project from the hit series that has shipped over 15 million units worldwide. CHOCOBO® RACING 3D (tentative title) is a racing game featuring the ever-popular Chocobo, a familiar face from the acclaimed FINAL FANTASY® and CHOCOBO series, and is a title in which the speed and intensity of racing can be felt full-force through 3D visuals.
In addition, Square Enix has also confirmed their plans to develop Nintendo 3DS (tentative product name) titles from both the DRAGON QUEST® and FINAL FANTASY series.
Square Enix will continue to deliver a variety of contents to a global audience.
Title
： KINGDOM HEARTS 3D (tentative title)
Platform
：Nintendo 3DS (tentative product name)
Genre
：RPG
Release Date
：TBD
Suggested Retail Price
：TBD
ESRB
：RP (Rating Pending)
Copyright
：© Disney. Developed by SQUARE ENIX
Title
： CHOCOBO RACING 3D (tentative title)
Platform
：Nintendo 3DS (tentative product name)
Genre
：Racing
Release Date
：TBD
Suggested Retail Price
：TBD
ESRB
：RP (Rating Pending)
Copyright
：© SQUARE ENIX CO., LTD. All rights reserved
About Square Enix, Co., Ltd.
Square Enix Co., Ltd. (Square Enix), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd., with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, develops, publishes and distributes entertainment content including interactive entertainment software and publications in Asia, North America and Europe. Square Enix brings two of Japan's best-selling franchises – FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 97 million units worldwide, and DRAGON QUEST, which has sold over 54 million units worldwide – under one roof. Square Enix is one of the most influential providers of digital entertainment content in the world and continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation. More information on Square Enix can be found at http://www.square-enix.com/.
Hudson Soft to Develop Launch Titles for
Nintendo 3DS Handheld Console
Participating Titles Include New Offerings for Bomberman, DECA SPORTS, Kororinpa
San Mateo, Calif. – June 15, 2010 -- HUDSON SOFT CO. will participate in developing exclusive titles for Nintendo’s upcoming portable system, the “Nintendo 3DS™,”. HUDSON SOFT is thrilled to have a chance to work with the new system, which will allow players to experience a game in three dimensions without any optical peripherals.
“We are anticipating that this new system will allow us to create great new content for Hudson fans,” said Dai Kudo, Director of Consumer Products. “The Nintendo 3DS is going to change the way games are experienced, and we look forward to playing a part of the initial movement into this new dimension of entertainment.”
HUDSON SOFT is currently developing a new installment of the
Bomberman franchise for the handheld system, a trademark IP that has sold more than 10 million units throughout the franchise’s history. HUDSON SOFT is also developing a new title in the 3 million-unit-selling sports-compilation franchise DECA SPORTS, along with a new game in the ball-rolling
Kororinpa franchise.
Hudson Entertainmentis the North and South American subsidiary of Hudson Soft, an international provider of games and entertainment content founded in 1973. Hudson Entertainment focuses on three key businesses: console retail games, digital download content, and music. Hudson introduced best-selling videogame franchises including Bomberman, Bonk, Military Madness and Deca Sports. Through numerous partnerships with record labels, Hudson has become a leading provider of digital music and video content. For more information on Hudson Entertainment, please visit
www.hudsonent.com.
TECMO KOEI PROUDLY ANNOUNCES ITS LINEUPFOR THE NINTENDO 3DS™
Company’s Best-Selling Franchises to Expand onto the Latest Handheld System
BURLINGAME, Calif., June 15, 2010 – TECMO KOEI GAMES CO., LTD. is proud to announce their platform support for the upcoming NINTENDO 3DS. The company has commenced development on four titles, all of which will bring a new dimension to their best-selling franchises. The titles are:
DEAD OR ALIVE® 3D (working title)
SAMURAI WARRIORS® 3D (working title)
NINJA GAIDEN® (working title)
DYNASTY WARRIORS® (working title)
The recent formation of Tecmo Koei represents a bold new direction for the two gaming companies, Tecmo and Koei, who boasts a portfolio of award-winning interactive entertainment products across various platforms. Utilizing the combined strengths of both companies and the latest in innovative technologies, Tecmo Koei is committed to fully re-imagining the worlds of these beloved franchises on the NINTENDO 3DS.
Details on the four titles including release date, pricing, rating information will be available at a later date.
ABOUT TECMO KOEI AMERICA CORP.
TECMO KOEI AMERICA CORP. is a publisher of interactive entertainment software for current generation consoles, handhelds and digital download content based in Burlingame, California. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of TECMO KOEI HOLDINGS CO., LTD., headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. TECMO is best known for the Dead or Alive®, Ninja Gaiden®, Tecmo Bowl® and Fatal Frame® series. KOEI is best known for its Dynasty Warriors® and Samurai Warriors® franchises. On April 1, 2009, TECMO KOEI HOLDINGS CO., LTD was established as a result of the TECMO, LTD. and KOEI Co., Ltd. merger.
FIVE TITLES CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT FOR FORTHCOMING 3DS™ HARDWARE
TOKYO, JAPAN – 16 June 2010 – NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. today announced it has five titles in development for 3DS™, the recently announced portable gaming device from Nintendo Co., Ltd. which employs stereogram technology.
With final title names, detailed game information and release dates to be revealed at a later date, the five titles in development are as follows:
RIDGE RACER™ (working title)
The unstoppable hit series is back with all its trademark exhilaration and brand new stereogram features.
PAC-MAN™ & GALAGA™ (working title)
Two timeless gaming icons return, totally reworked for the 3DS and including all the classic game modes.
Gundam® Franchise (working title)
All new title in the Gundam series with new gameplay systems designed for the stereogram technology.
Dragon Ball® Franchise (working title)
Dragon Ball kicks into 3D with all new features and gameplay designed for the 3DS hardware.
Super Robot Franchise (working title)
Brand new title in the series with new game systems and gameplay designed to exploit the stereogram technology.
NAMCO BANDAI Games plans to further extend its presence in the 3D gaming arena with its ongoing program of research and development. Further information and updates will be made available on the official NAMCO BANDAI Games websites.
“2010 will be remembered as the year that 3D technologies finally became available on a consumer level, a breakthrough that NAMCO BANDAI Games has anticipated with its significant research and investment in the field over recent years,” said Shin Unozawa, Vice President, NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. “We are convinced of the potential of the new stereogram technology on which the hardware is based, and we intend to make full use of it to provide fresh new experiences which continue to surprise and excite our customers in the way we have been doing for many years. We are looking forward to announcing more details in the near future.”
