Developers have said that a 2D game made for 3DS could use the extra processing power not used rendering 3D to churn out nicer graphics and better physics.

3D games essentially have to rendered twice - once for each eye - which puts extra strain on the processor. If someone chose to bin the 3D effect, that game could potentially look better.

"Developers working on the system say that if they were developing a 3DS game that didn't use 3D, they could theoretically use the extra processing power for additional texture passes and more complex object and environment geometry, or even up a framerate from 30 frames per second to 60," reports IGN.

But could Mario Kart, which runs at 60 frames per second, run at a mighty 120fps in 2D? No, as IGN explains: "There's no benefit to raising a frame rate from 60 to 120 since the LCD displays of the 3DS (as well as the DSi, DS Lite, DS classic, Game Boy Advance...even the PSP) are limited to 60Hz."

Would you really want developers to start making 2D games on the 3DS? We think Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D look amazing enough.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=254505?cid=OTC-RSS&attr=CVG-General-RSS

Nintendo's DS console claimed over 86 per cent of the handheld hardware market in the US during the month of May.

The data comes from Nintendo, which sold over 383,000 units during the month, according to numbers from the NPD Group.

Hardware units sales for all three home consoles were flat for the month, but revenues were down 20 per cent due to lower prices. However, Wii sales still beat Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, with over 334,000 units sold.

"These May results show that consumers are really responding to the value proposition of our new Wii configuration that now includes Wii Sports Resort and a Wii MotionPlus accessory," commented Cammie Dunaway, NOA executive vice president of Sales & Marketing.

"May also saw the launch of two great games: Super Mario Galaxy 2 for Wii and Picross 3D for Nintendo DS. They preface the steady drumbeat of big games for the second half of 2010 we announced at the E3 Expo that will keep fans engaged and having fun.."

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/npd-ds-takes-86-percent-of-handheld-market

Shigeru Miyamoto has confessed that Nintendo's ageing line-up of mascots and franchises could use some fresh blood - and hinted that we might see new characters from the company next year.

"We need new game characters soon, maybe we can move forward on that next year," the designer and R&D chief told a stockholders' meeting in Japan this week, as reported by the Sankei Shinbun newspaper and 1UP.

Miyamoto had been asked what Nintendo's "next game" might be. His comment comes two weeks after Nintendo unveiled new Zelda, Mario, Kirby and Donkey Kong games at E3, even exhuming 8-bit hero Kid Icarus as a standard-bearer for 3DS.

GoldenEye and Golden Sun were among the other elderly (if much-loved) series whose return to Nintendo platforms was announced in LA two weeks ago, while Nintendo will be launching Pokemon Black and White for DS in Japan this year.

The last new character designs from Miyamoto's own pen - if you don't count virtual puppies or customisable Miis - were probably Captain Olimar and the Pikmin in 2001.

http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/mi...ters-next-year