Video: 3DS Gameplay: StreetPass Puzzle

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Video: Nintendo 3DS Creates Mii Using Photograph

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Nintendo 3DS Price Guide

The Nintendo 3DS is now out in Japan. It'll be out in Europe a month from now, on March 25, and two days later in North America, on March 27. Although the selection of games available at launch differ from region to region, it's the same piece of hardware no matter what country you're in.

There was some initially some displeasure following Nintendo's announcement that the 3DS would cost $249.99 in the United States, making it $50-$70 more expensive than the Wii. And indeed it seemed quite expensive compared with the DS, which launched at $149.99. But comparing the U.S. pricing of the new handheld with how it's priced in Japan and the United Kingdom, it suddenly looks like a much better deal. The system alone is more than $55 cheaper than it is in Japan. The savings are even greater over what those in the United Kingdom will be paying for it, depending upon which retailer you go to. With Nintendo leaving the U.K. price up to retailers to decide, there's been some battling over which can offer it for cheapest. Even with this going on, the U.S. still gets it the cheapest, and you don't have to worry about which store is offering the best deal.

Games are also significantly cheaper in the U.S. Presently, all 3DS games in the U.S. cost no more than $39.99. Europe's cheapest games, meanwhile, are $48.33, or as much as $64.45. Japan's games range in price from $58.79 to $74.59. Nintendo could jack up the price for its big-name releases (Mario, Zelda, etc.) by $5 or $10 in the U.S. and still they'd be cheaper than they would be in the U.K. and Japan.

The 3DS might be coming to the U.S. later than it is in U.K. or Japan, but the other two are paying for it -- literally. Read of for the full breakdown on hardware and software prices in the three regions.

Japan (February 26, 2011)

System:25,000 yen ($306.18)

Games:4,800 yen - 6,090 yen ($58.79 - $74.59)

Suggested retail prices follow

• Nintendogs + Cats - 4,800 yen ($58.79)
• Winning Eleven Soccer 3D - 5,800 yen ($71.00)
• Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition - 4,800 yen ($58.79)
• Samurai Warriors: Chronicles - 6,090 yen ($74.59)
• Puzzle Bobble 3D - 4,980 yen ($61.00)
• Ridge Racer 3D - 6,090 yen ($74.59)
• Battle of the Giants: Dinosaurs 3D - 5,040 yen ($61.73)
• Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle - 5,980 yen ($73.24)

United States (March 27, 2011)

System:$249.99

Games:$29.99 - $39.99

Following game prices from GameStop

• Pilotwings Resort - $39.99
• Steel Diver - $39.99
• Nintendogs + Cats - $39.99
• Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition - $39.99
• The Sims 3 - $39.99
• Madden NFL Football - $39.99
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D - $39.99
• LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars - $39.99
• Ridge Racer 3D - $39.99
• Super Monkey Ball 3D - $39.99
• Bust-a-Move Universe - $29.99
• Samurai Warriors: Chronicles - $39.99
• Asphalt 3D - $39.99
• Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D - $39.99
• Rayman 3D - $39.99
• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Shadow Wars - $39.99

United Kingdom (March 25, 2011)

System:194.99 GBP - 249.99 GBP ($314.24 - $402.87)

Games:29.99 GBP - 39.99 GBP ($48.33 - $64.45)

Following game prices from GAME

• Pilotwings Resort - 34.99 GBP ($56.39)
• Nintendogs + Cats - 34.99 GBP ($56.39)
• Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition - 34.99 GBP ($56.39)
• The Sims 3 - 34.99 GBP ($56.39)
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D - 34.99 GBP ($56.39)
• LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars - 29.99 GBP ($48.33)
• Ridge Racer 3D - 34.99 GBP ($56.39)
• Super Monkey Ball 3D - 34.99 GBP ($56.39)
• Samurai Warriors: Chronicles - 32.99 GBP ($53.17)
• Asphalt 3D - 34.99 GBP ($56.39)
• Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars - 34.99 GBP ($56.39)
• Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D - 34.99 GBP ($56.39)
• Rayman 3D - 34.99 GBP ($56.39)

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Active Time Babble XXXII: BioWare's Mike Laidlaw, Dragon Quest VI&Valkyria Chronicles 3

Okay, I give up. For months now, I've been receiving requests to record Active Time Babble on a more regular basis. It's what we Americans do: take a good thing and gorge on it until we hate it, then talk about how it was never that great to begin with.

Well get ready, because this is the first of what may be three straight weeks of Active Time Babble. Are we good now? Yes? Okay then.

I had planned on kicking things off with a Dragon Quest VI chat, but the recent glut of RPGs has kept anyone else from really playing it, so I'm going it alone once again. I take questions regarding both DQVI and Valkyria Chronicles 3 in the first couple segments, and share my misgivings for both. It's strange, I enjoyed both games, but it was negavity that bubbled to the surface this time around. I believe both of these games require further examination.

In the second segment, BioWare lead designer Mike Laidlaw joins me as we continue our examination of the upcoming Dragon Age II (which I actually happen to be playing at the moment). Unfortunately, a fairly shoddy Internet connection in some technical problems, so the sound occasionally hiccups. It's not enough to detract from the conversation, but you should be aware that it's there.

Next week we'll be tackling GDC, and I plan to get in as many guests as possible in between tackling a steadily more insane schedule. Expect plenty of chatter on both the eastern and western side of things as the entire game industry descends upon San Francisco.

Until then, here's the breakdown:

Episode Breakdown(download it now!)

• 0:00 | Theme&Introduction
• 00:35 |Valkyria Chronicles Analysis
• 16:15 | Musical Interlude: Main Theme (Valkyria Chronicles)
• 16:45 | Dragon Quest VI Analysis
• 32:00 | Musical Interlude: Town Theme (Dragon Quest VI)
• 32:30 Interview: BioWare's Mike Laidlaw
• 01:11:30 | Musical Interlude: The Lazarus Project (Mass Effect 2)
• 01:12:00 | Outtro&Next Episode

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This Week in 1UP Community 2/23/11

I've always been happy with the amount of community engagement of this site -- so many of you write quality blogs, insightful message board posts, and create hilarious videos. So, there's nothing stopping me from finally sharing some the staff's personal favorites once a week. Of course, this does not mean we've seen every single contribution made, therefore you shouldn't feel discouraged if you're not mentioned. If you feel like you deserve to be recognized for your talents and we haven't acknowledged them yet, just send me a message!

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First 3DS Game Review Scores from Japan

This week's issue of Japanese game magazineFamitsucontains the first reviews for the Nintendo 3DS's lineup of launch games. The text for these reviews isn't available yet, but the scores have leaked out on the net.

The scores are about what you'd figure, withNintendogs + Catseasily being the highest-scorer and old franchises likeDynasty Warriors,Ridge RacerandProfessor Laytonall doing well. Among the duds, meanwhile, is the 3DS version of classic tile puzzlerShanghai-- the only 3DS launch game to get rated 5/10 by aFamitsureviewer.

Click on for the full list of scores, and come back later for fuller summaries of what the reviewers had to say.

-Winning Eleven 3D Soccer: 8/8/8/8, 32 points

-Dynasty Warriors Chronicle: 9/9/8/8, 34 points

-Shanghai 3D Cube: 7/7/7/5, 26 points

-Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition: 9/8/8/9, 34 points

-Super Monkey Ball 3D: 9/8/8/7, 32 points

-Puzzle Bobble 3D: 6/6/6/6, 24 points

-Ridge Racer 3D: 8/8/7/9, 32 points

-Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracles: 8/8/8/8, 32 points

-Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs: 6/6/6/6, 24 points

-Nintendogs + Cats: 10/9/9/10, 38 points

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Why A Link to the Past is Still the Best Zelda Game

1UP Celebrates The Legend of Zelda's 25th Anniversary

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