This console generation has seen Nintendo delve into and take control of the casual gaming market. With widespread appeal to non-core gamers, the company has found great success with both the DS and the Wii. However, with the 3DS, Nintendo is hoping to regain some of their credibility with the hardcore, up-all-night, play-til-your-thumbs-bleed kind of gamer.
It was announced at E3 that the forthcoming handheld will be host to a number of old school, core franchises, including Kid Icarus, Paper Mario, Star Fox, Zelda, and Maro Kart. In addition to these long-revered Nintendo standards, a number of third parties will be bringing games to the 3DS as well, with Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Ninja Gaiden, and Final Fantasy games all in the works.
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata himself weighed in on the matter, telling Japanese news service Nikkei that Nintendo is working closely with third party developers to bring serious, elaborate gaming experiences to the new handheld. Moreover, he believes the 3DS, with its more advanced technology and graphical power, will be an ideal system for the hardcore gamer on the go.
