14 DAY TRIAL // The Nintendo 3DS might have had a sluggish launch but now the device is selling very well in Japan and seems to be also picking up steam on Western markets and the company that launched it seems to be ready to invest the resources to keep up this momentum in the coming months.
As part of the Nintendo Direct presentation the president of Nintendo, Satoru Iwata, has focused on the 3DS handheld, outlining the most important launches for the first few months of 2012 and highlighting the fact that the eShop will become an important avenue of content delivery.
For starters gamers in Japan will be able to log into in order to get four new demos: Resident Evil: Revelations. Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D. Theatrhythm Final Fantasy and Rhythm Thief & The Emperor's Treasure.
It’s not clear when the same content or something similar will be launched in North America and in Europe.
The eShop was supposed to appear at the same time as the 3DS but was delayed and users then complained that it lacked enough content to become an interesting destination for players.
Nintendo has managed to launch some high profile games for the 3DS in the last few months, from Super Mario 3D Land to Mario Kart 7, and the company is eager to use the goodwill that it has accrued to make all elements of the new handheld a success.
Iwata also talked about two big launches coming in early 2012, Kid Icarus: Uprising and Fire Emblem.
The first of the two games is now in multiplayer testing at Nintendo and will use the connectivity features of the 3DS to allow gamers to connect with one another and battle for bragging rights and unique rewards.
Nintendo consoles have usually been limited when it came to multiplayer options but the company pledged to change this with the 3DS and the upcoming Wii U home console.