The Nintendo 3DS has had quite an interesting first year on the market. It was March 27 when the handheld released last year, at the bold price of $249 — the same price as the Wii’s initial launch cost. Sluggish sales and lack of software offerings forced a drastic price drop. Thankfully, games like Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 brought millions of fans to the exciting new handheld, boosting sales literally overnight.

Nintendo today is happy to report that in its first year alone, the Nintendo 3DS has sold 4.5 million units in the U.S. By comparison, the Nintendo DS only sold 2.3 million in its first year. In addition, the 3DS has seen more than 100 software releases, compared to the DS’s 58 titles. Overall, the handheld (along with accessories and software) has generating over $1.2 billion dollars, compared to the $540 million generated by the DS.

A sequel to the popular Pokemon Black and Pokemon White video games for the Nintendo DS has been announced. Pokemon Black and White 2 will be out this summer in Japan, with a North American release date has yet to be determined. I’m surprised the game is slated for a Nintendo DS and not Nintendo 3DS release.

Excited? Thrilled? Don’t care?

Pokemon

Nintendo has announced release dates for two of their hottest upcoming titles, as well as a few more third party offerings set to release in early 2012. Likely the most anticipated game is Kid Icarus: Uprising, set to release on the 3DS on March 23. First revealed during Nintendo’s E3 2010 media event, the game will return beloved NES hero Pit to the spotlight.

On the Wii front, Mario Party 9 is set to release on March 11, bringing back the beloved annual party game franchise after a lengthy four year absence.

Take a look at the release dates below confirmed for Q1 for Nintendo’s Wii, 3DS, and DS platforms.

Nintendo 3DS

2K Play
Nicktoons MLB 3D - March

Capcom
Resident Evil® Revelations - Feb. 7

Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
METAL GEAR SOLID® 3D Snake Eater - Q1
Pro Evolution Soccer 2012 - January

Nintendo has something for everyone this fall season, with new games for their Wii console, and 3DS and DS handhelds. First, Nintendo has confirmed the previously mentioned Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword bundle which will come with a special gold Wii Remote Plus controller. The bundle will release on November 20 — same date as the standalone software release — for $69.99. Nintendo also broke news today that each copy of the game, regardless of the bundle, will come with a copy of a CD featuring orchestrated Zelda tracks, a sampling of what you’ll be able to hear at the 25-anniversary celebration concerts happening across the globe.

If somehow Zelda’s not your thing, 3DS owners will have the new Tetris Axis title to look forward to, presenting familiar and revamped puzzle gameplay in 3D graphics. Lastly, Professor Layton returns to the DS family of handhelds with the new game, subtitle The Last Specter.

Nintendo's E3 2010 Stage

This is it people! The name and reveal of Project Cafe… A new lineup of exciting 3DS titles… Surprises, surprises, surprises!

Nintendo’s E3 press showing begins right at 9am PST/ 12pm EST. Stay tuned, as we will have live updates as they happen. See you soon!

We knew we’d see Link return this summer, but now we have a date. The legendary 3D remake of Ocarina of Time will grace the Nintendo 3DS come June 19. Based on the heroic golden boxart, I wonder if we can expect a gold game cartridge?

Nintendo also announced a new Wii title sure to stay on top of the charts for the next few years: Wii Play: Motion. As you’d expect, the game will feature a slew of motion based mini-games that make use of the Wii MotionPlus technology. The title will come bundled with a black Wii RemotePlus, which has the 1:1 capabilities built in.

Lastly, Nintendo gave their full schedule of Q2 games, which includes a new first-party Wii puzzle adventure game called Mystery Case Files: From Dusk to Dawn. For a full list of the second quarter games expected on Wii, DS, and 3DS, continue reading below.

Fuck what you heard, the Wii is doing just fine. Nintendo has sent out a press release to calm fears of a Wii slow down to prove the shiny white console is thriving, despite a severe lack of software support this quarter. To date, the Wii has sold 35 million units in the U.S. alone, with more than 454,000 sold in February — and there are only 28 days in February!

Notable Wii software  benchmarks include Donkey Kong Country Returns with 2 million units sold, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii with 8 million units sold. Other milestones DS include Pokemon SoulSilver Version which launched a year ago this month, which has surpassed 2 million units, and New Super Mario Bros. Wii, which has surpassed 9 million.

Looks like everything is just fine in the house of Mario, ya know, despite no new games.

Nintendo PR

This week’s Nintendo Week episode discusses everything from this week’s WiiWare releases, to all things 3DS. You’ve even got Olivia Munn playing the 3DS! That makes this video worth checking out all by itself.

NintenDaan’s YouTube

On March 6, Nintendo will be releasing two limited edition Pokemon themed DSi bundles. Celebrating the release of Pokemon Black Version and White Version, Nintendo will release two different handhelds, in black and white — how fitting! Each will have Pokemon characters Reshiram and Zekrom etched onto the top, as pictured above.

Each bundle will also include a copy of the game, White in white and Black in black, naturally. You’ll also score a sweet carrying case, exclusive to the bundle. You can pick yours up for $180. You can check out the black bundle pictured below the break.

Virtual Console

Faxanadu
Original platform: NES
Publisher: Hudson Entertainment
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone) – Mild Fantasy Violence, Use of Tobacco
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: You are an adventurer who has just returned to his hometown, the Elf town of Eolis, at the base of the World Tree. You find the village in peril: The Elven water supply has dried up, monsters are causing chaos and the once-proud Tree is slowly wilting. Equipped with the last of the King’s money and the trust of the people, you set out to climb the World Tree, braving obstacles, fiends and dangers to discover the source of this corruption. Wield weapons and magic, get hints from townsfolk and experience a world of new environments as you ascend to the top of the world.

WiiWare

Jewel Keepers: Easter Island
Publisher: Nordcurrent
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Price: 500 Wii Points
Description: One day, world-renowned Easter Island expert Professor “H” received a strange letter from the capital city of Hanga Roa. It was a cry for help from an unknown person, saying that something bad was happening on the island. Without hesitation, the Professor, his assistant Joel and his granddaughter Ivie rushed to the island, where many puzzles, mysteries and quests awaited them. Can you help him to reveal the greatest secret of Easter Island?

continue below the break!….