Nintendo 3DS eShop: Is 'The Green Lantern' 3D Trailer A Sign That 3D Movies Are Coming To The 3DS?

When Nintendo  first showcased the new 3DS console back in January this year, they mentioned the fact that the new console was capable of showing 3D TV programmes and films, which could be downloaded using the 3DS SpotPass feature.

Amongst the television production companies said to be involved at that time were Eurosport, Sky TV 3D and Aardman Animations, who would apparently be responsible for producing a set of exclusive fifteen-minute  short films in full 3D, starring Children's TV favourite, Shaun the Sheep.

 Several Hollywood movie studios were also said to be partenering with Nintendo in order to stream 3D movies onto the console. A trailer for a 3D version of Disney's Tangled was shown during the Nintendo Press Conference in January as an example of this.

However, nothing further has really been mentioned about the possibility of using the Nintendo 3DS to stream TV programmes and films since that time.

Now, however, a trailer for the new Warner Bros film,  The Green Lantern, (which is set to debut in cinemas across the UK on friday) has recently appeared in the Nintendo 3DS eShop.

The trailer looks incredible when viewed in full-3D on the Nintendo 3DS and certainly gives a good indication of the kind of quality gamers could expect from 3D films that might be shown on the console in the future.

Nintendo is currently said to be in negotiation with an American firm called Netflix - the company which allows films to be streamed onto the Nintendo Wii console. The idea is that the Netflix company will stream 3D films directly onto the 3DS console via the newly-launched Nintendo eShop.

The NetFlix film service is expected to be available from July/August 2011 in North America, but as Netflix is largely unsupported outside of the USA, it is likely that another similar service, such as LoveFilm, will have to be used in other countries.

However, we should also point out that, as yet, there have been no dates given at all for the commencement of any such equivalent film-streaming service for the 3DS in the UK or the rest of Europe.

Thus it looks like gamers in the UK have a little while longer to wait yet until we can actually enjoy films on the 3DS. Until then, we can expect to see more 3D film trailers in the near future.

If you haven't seen the 3DS version of The Green Lantern trailer for yourself yet, it is well worth a look. It can be downloaded for FREE from the Nintendo eShop now.

Please note that Nintendo eShop content is currently updated every Thursday, and therefore items in the eShop may subsequently be added or removed at this time.

Is Professor Layton and The Specter's Flute Coming To Europe At Last?

*THIS POST HAS SINCE BEEN UPDATED* To read the update, including new trailer info, please click HERE.

Amongst all the excitement about Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle appearing on the 3DS some time later this year, recent questions have emerged surrounding the possible European release of the fourth Professor Layton game - Professor Layton and the Specter's Flute.

Chronologically, Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle is actually the fifth Professor Layton game, so it makes little sense that this title would debut in Europe BEFORE the fourth game in the series, prompting many fans to ask why nothing had been mentioned of Professor Layton and the Specter's Flute outside of Japan.

Now, it seems as though there might be a glimmer of hope for die-hard European Professor Layton fans, as the series developers Level 5 inc have recently filed some important paperwork, which requests an American Tradmark for a game called Professor Layton and the Last Spectre.

For those of you who don't know, Professor Layton and the Specter's Flute is the first of three 'prequel' games in the Professor Layton series, which shows how young Luke Triton becomes the Professor's apprentice.

According to gaming website, CVG.com the trademark request is for a Nintendo DS/DSi game only, which seems to answer the question of whether Professor Layton and the Specter's Flute would also make its debut on the 3DS system.

Although there are no specifics for either an American or UK release date at this time, the trademark request definitely shows that a game is at least being considered for the Western gaming market, and is a major breakthough for Professor Layton enthusiasts, who were concerned that the fourth game in the series would never be released in Europe at all.

The subtitled teaser trailer below shows some of the major cutscenes from the fourth game. It is sure to be spectacular and is well worth a look:

Further details of the game are now expected at E3, which will take place in Los Angeles between the 7th and 9th of June 2011. Be sure to check in with the Mini Gamers blogsite for all the news from the annual E3 conference as it happens.

Happy Birthday, Mini Gamers!

The Mini Gamers blogsite turns one year old today! It seems impossible to believe that this time last year the Mini Gamers team were sat in front of a computer trying to decide what the very first blog post should be. Now just one year (and 110 posts) later, we have a readership of over 11,000 people worldwide.

The reason Mini Gamers was created was to devote a space specifically for handheld gaming, as this had been sorely neglected by many other website in favour of articles and game reviews for major consoles like The Wii, Xbox 360 and PS3.

Of course, Mini Gamers also depends on its readers and followers for ideas and support. Mini Gamers is very interested in hearing what the gaming community thinks and feels about gaming-related issues.

We also try and make the site as interactive as possible including Monthly Opinion Polls, a Suggestion Box, Comments Box and other features. If you haven't got involved so far, but would be interested in knowing more about how to do this, then please click HERE for more information. We'd be delighted to hear from you.

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have visited the site over the past year. We hope that we can continue to bring you interesting articles, reviews, previews in the coming months.

Sony Begins "Phased Restoration" Of Its Services...

Sony has today started what it has termed a "Phased Restoration" of its Playstation Network and Qriocity services after a malicious system hack forced them to be shut down for over a week.

During a press conference in Tokyo yesterday, both Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and Sony Network Entertainment International (SNEI) announced that they will shortly begin to turn on their gaming, music and video services region by region.

Sony has also implemented stricter security measures since the cyber attack, including creating a new company position called the Chief Information Security Officer, whose role it will be to to supplement existing information security personnel in ensuring the safety of customer data.

Furthermore, Sony have added automated software monitoring and configuration management to help defend against new attacks, enhanced the levels of data protection, encryption, and the ability to detect software intrusions within the network, unauthorized access and unusual activity patterns, as well as having implemented additional firewalls.

PS3 gamers will undergo a system update whereby they will have to re-register their Username and password before they are allowed access to the Playstation Network. There are also plans to move the existing network system to another secret location, which according to Sony, had been under construction for several months prior to the attack.

It was originally feared that customers' credit card information was also at risk, but Sony have since announced that this is impossible as customers credit card details are subject to encryption and were therefore not at risk.

Nevertheless, the same cannot be said for users' personal details, which were not subject to encryption at the time of the intrusion. However, Sony insists that lessons have been learned from the attack and the company has pledged that it will work even harder to ensure the safety of its online services.

Kazuo Hirai, Executive Deputy President of the Sony Corporation said: "Our global audience of PlayStation Network and Qriocity consumers was disrupted. We have learned lessons along the way about the valued relationship with our consumers, and to that end, we will be launching a customer appreciation programme for registered consumers as a way of expressing our gratitude for their loyalty during this network downtime, as we work even harder to restore and regain their trust in us and our services."

Nevertheless, the cyber attack, which placed almost 77 million customers' personal details at risk, could have done untold damage to Sony's reputation and may even impact the reputation of other similar online networks in the future.

The question that many gamers will now be asking is:  Is it enough to be wise after the event when it comes to personal security, or should Sony have taken more stringent measures to prevent such a security breach in the first place?

 Let us know your thoughts on this subject by leaving a comment in the Mini Gamers comment box. We'd love to hear from you.

Nintendo 3DS: Has Nintendo Broken Its Promise To Gamers?

It has only been a few days since the  European release date for Nintendo's 3DS console was announced, but already the rumour mill has been circulating, and it seems that some gamers may not be getting exactly what they expect when the console launches in March this year.

Mini Gamers takes a look at the promises that have been made by Nintendo over the past year, and compares them to what the console is set to offer us in reality...

Promise One: A Price Range Under £200?

Back in August last year, Nintendo's Marketing Manager, James Honeywell gave an interview to gaming website Electric Pig, where it was hinted that the new console might cost under £200 to buy.

Although no actual price was mentioned at the time, Honeywell did say that:"The DSi is around £129.99, the DSi XL is around £159.99, so obviously it [the Nintendo 3DS] is going to fit somewhere around that kind of architecture..." [sourced from: http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2010/07/29/video-nintendo-3ds-questions-answered-by-ninty-top-brass/]

Furthermore, a 3DS console for under £200 did indeed seem possible when the Japanese pricing figures for a 3DS were revealed to be around 25,000 Yen, which equates to approximately £192.

However, at the recent 3DS preview conference in Amsterdam, Nintendo claimed that the actual price of the console would be set by retailers and that European gamers would have to refer to in-store prices.

This actually translates to a price range that is anywhere between £217.85 (in places like Asda and Zavvi) and £229.99 (Game).

These prices then skyrocket towards the £250 mark when the console is bundled with one of the 3DS launch games, which are themselves priced around £39.99. This makes the 3DS one of the most expensive handheld consoles ever produced.

Promise Two: Complete Backwards Compatibility With Older

DS and DSi Consoles?

Although the Nintendo 3DS WILL definitely be backwards compatible with your old DS and DSi games, the new console will also feature a Region Lock, which means that 3DS gaming software purchased from one country will not be compatible with 3DS consoles purchased in another.

Nintendo recently defended their decision to make the 3DS region-locked.  Nintendo UK boss David Yarnton gave an interview to Eurogamer  in which he claimed that the region-lock was due to many different factors including the Downloadable Content support that will be offered with the new console, and the difference in international age rating systems.

Yarnton said: "If we look at it at on a regional basis, we have to be very conscious of - the customer may not really care about this - but different territories have different ratings. We're very conscious of making sure we toe the line as far as government goes. In Europe we've got PEGI. In Australia there's a different rating. America's got a different rating. Japan's a different rating." [sourced from;  http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-19-nintendo-3ds-david-yarnton-interview]

The region lock is nothing new and has also been used in Nintendo's DSi console. However, the truth remains that gamers who prefer to purchase and play games from other countries such as America (where they are usually cheaper) will no longer be able to do this on the new 3DS console.



Promise Three: The 3DS Will Feature Its own eShop and Internet Browser?



Nintendo has promised that the 3DS console, (which is said to have its own Internet Browser,) will also have an eShop for downloadable content. The eShop will support some of the old DSiWare, as well as offer demos, videos and user ratings and a handheld version of the Wii's Virtual Console, which will be dedicated to Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles.

According to Nintendo, purchases will no longer be made with virtual currency. Nintendo Points which have previously been purchased on other systems like the DSi and Wii will not be usable on the 3DS eStore, which will use a 'real cash' system instead.

Nevertheless, there seems to be doubt amongst the gaming community as to whether the aforementioned eShop will actually be available for use when the console launches in March.

Nintendo of America's marketing manager, Bill Trinen recently suggested to Joystiq.com that the eShop was very much a secondary concern to the retail launch of the new console, with full 3DS games not yet planned for download availability. He said: "I think, right now for us, the digital shop content is focusing on growing the digital ... distinguishing from the retail content in terms of what it offers."

Trinen also went on to suggest that the eShop may not in fact  be released simultaneously with the 3DS itself, but maybe offered later in a firmware update. "In terms of specific announcements or when it's going to actually be available, we'll go into more detail on that as we get closer to the launch date."
[Sourced: http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/19/3ds-eshop-detailed-virtual-console-dsiware-demos-and-the-abs/]

Nintendo seemed to suggest during the European Preview Conference that the 3DS would come with a fully-working eShop, which they implied was one of the revolutionary new features that would set the 3DS apart from the other Duel Screen consoles.

Nevertheless, at this moment in time, it seems as though gamers may have to wait many months before they can begin to purchase fresh downloadable content for their new device, which is more than a tad disappointing.

It has to be said that the Nintendo 3DS does feature an impressive array of specifications  including its twin motion-tracking cameras, 3D depth slider and a good selection of 3DS game titles in development.

Nevertheless, even with its March deadline getting closer, Nintendo seems unable to fully commit to an answer about the actual content that gamers can expect to see on launch day. Here at Mini Gamers we remain optimistic about the 3DS and we look forward to bringing you news on specific 3DS launch games within the next few weeks.

However, we are also interested in hearing what YOU, the handheld gamers out there have to say about the new console. How much would YOU be will willing to pay for a 3DS?

Has the overall cost or region lock put YOU off of owning a 3DS?

Please leave us a comment and let us know.

3DS UK Release Date Now Official!!!

"This isn't the launch of a new gaming device - This is the launch of a new Entertaiment era..." [Sotoru Shibata]

The UK release date for Nintendo's 3DS console has been officially set for the 25th March 2011.

 Speaking at the 3DS preview event in Amsterdam this afternoon, Nintendo's Managing Director of Marketing and PR, Laurent Fischer, spoke about the 3DS console which will be released in two colours - Aqua Blue or Cosmos Black (nothing was shown or mentioned about the Red 3DS console originally shown at E3 2010).

Fischer went on to describe the 3DS' new wireless communication features SpotPass and StreetPass.

SpotPass will allow users to download fresh content for their console such as news from Eurosport, TV items from SKY 3D and even short films like Aardman Productions' Shaun the Sheep, which will all be presented in stunning autostereoscopic 3D without the need for 3D glasses.

Meanwhile, Streetpass will download game data, statistics and content from other 3DS users even if the console is in Sleep Mode. This feature has already been Incorporated into games like Super Street Fighter IV.

Capcom's producer of the Street Fighter series, Yoshinori Ono discussed how StreetPass will allow users to engage in battles with other 3DS users everywhere. He said: "Street Fighter battles have always been head-to-head but now battles can take place anytime, anywhere, with anyone, immediately..." 

Ono said that Super Street Fighter IV will have a line-up of 35 fighters (including classic characters,) and it will also feature a Channel Live mode, which will allow 3DS users to watch battles between other 3DS users.

Other developers that were featured at the Amsterdam event included Ubisoft, who said that they would have up to eight launch titles for the 3DS including Assassin’s Creed: Lost Legacy, Rayman 3D, Ghost Recon: Shadow Cell, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, Battle of Giants and Driver Renagade.

Konami announced that they have developed Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 for the 3DS. PES' Producer Naoya Hatsumi spoke about how the 3D capabilities of the 3DS has allowed them to improve realism and express depth. Hatsumi said that a new camera angle called Player's View means that the camera is centred just behind the player and helps to immerse gamers in all the footballing action.

Team Ninja announced that they would be releasing a version of their popular Dead or Alive series for the 3DS. The Head of Productions, Yosuke Hayoshi said that:  "Dead or Alive: Dimensions [3DS] will be a kind of 'Best Of ' collection of highlights from the previous four Dead or Alive games" but he went on to say that it would feature some new content as well. He said that the new game would be: "A whole new dimension in 3D fighting games..."

Nintendo Europe's CEO and President, Satoru Shibata, spoke about the long-awaited PilotWings Resort and Nintendogs + Cats as well as the range of Pre-loaded Software that would be included in the console.

 The software will feature a Daily Activity Log which turns the 3DS into a useful pedometer, whilst the new 3D Motion Camera and Mii Studio will allow players to take a 3D photos of themselves and convert it into a recognisable Mii avatar for use in some games.

A new StreetPass game called Face Raiders will also be included in the console free of charge. The game will post pictures of players' Miis into a shooting gallery! The 3DS will also feature Augmented Reality software, which has recently been used in the PSP game, EyePet.

Furthermore, the 3DS will come with its own Internet Browser and E-shop which will allow players to access and download new Nintendo software more easily.

Shibata also gave details of the kinds of existing DS games that we could expect to see being developed for the 3DS over the coming months, including Animal Crossing, The Sims 3, Steel Diver, Paper Mario and many more...

Shibata claimed that there would be a "Launch window between 25th March and 30th of June 2011 where more than 25 games would become available to 3DS users..."

The preview event helped to answer several burning questions that fans had about the new 3DS and its capabilities. However, the end of March still seems a long way off. Nevertheless, the various games and features that have been developed so far have definitely piqued Mini Gamers interest.

Keep checking back with the Mini Gamers blogsite over the next few months for all the latest news concerning this revolutionary new console.