Portable Gaming

Sony's newest handheld gaming system goes on sale February 22, but if you want to be one of the first to try out the device, you can head to one of more than 3,300 GameStop locations for a playable demo unit of this new technology. Decide you have to have one? GameStop also announced that they will give you $25 toward the purchase of the new PS Vita when you trade in your existing Nintendo DS, 3DS or Sony PSP system.

The PlayStation Vita features a five-inch OLED multi-touch screen, front and rear touch pads, dual analog sticks, dual cameras and six-axis motion sensing system. A variety of games will be available to demo, including:

• UNCHARTED: Golden Abyss
• Little Deviants
• Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational
• EA SPORTS FIFA Soccer
• ModNation Racers: Road Trip
• Virtua Tennis 4: World Tour Edition
• Escape Plan
• wipEout 2048

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Nintendo has a new Pearl Pink edition of the Nintendo 3DS hitting stores on February 10, 2012 – just in time for Valentine's Day. Previously available only as part of a limited-edition bundle, the Pearl Pink 3DS will sell for $169.99.

The Nintendo 3DS offers free Wi-Fi access at thousands of locations, fun augmented-reality features and…as if you didn't already know… the ability to enjoy games and videos in 3D without the need for special glasses. It is also comes with built-in social features and a great lineup of games are available (sold separately). Read more

The latest system update for the Nintendo 3DS – available today – gives the device a ton of new features including the ability to record 3D videos (in continuous or stop-motion), updated Nintendo eShop features, new StreetPass Mii Plaza features, and enhanced online gaming.

New features:

Record 3D video: Record up to 10 minutes of glasses-free 3D video in continuous or stop-motion style and share them with your friends.

Nintendo eShop – It's now easier to buy and download your purchases. You can use your credit card to purchase content by adding only the needed funds. Also, you can choose "Download Now" or "Download Later" to cue up the games and videos you want to download in Sleep Mode.

StreetPass Mii Plaza - New puzzles and a new dungeon in Find Mii are available with the update. You can also now share your home state with your Mii. When you reach certain milestones, be on the lookout for something special. Surprise guests can randomly show up in your plaza too.Read more

Nintendo announced on Monday two new limited edition 3DS bundles for the holiday season. Available on Thanksgiving day (November 24), you can get your hands on a bundle that includes the just-launched Super Mario 3D Land game and a Flame Red Nintendo 3DS system or a bundle that comes with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D game and a special 25th anniversary limited-edition Cosmo Black Nintendo 3DS system marked with the Hyrule emblem and gold-colored embellishments. Each bundle will be available for $199.99.

Not sure which one to get? You can test-drive the Nintendo 3DS and these two games at one of two dozen malls nationwide between November 21 and December 18, 2011. Nintendo will also have additional video games for the holidays on display. Check out a complete list of malls participating in the program here.Read more

Nintendo announced this week two new DSi XL bundles for the holiday shopping season. Beginning November 6, 2011, the Metallic Rose and Midnight Blue versions of the Nintendo DSi XL hand-held system will be available in bundles, each packaged with a free copy of the Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem! game.

In Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!, players must help Mario rescue Pauline by guiding Mini Marios through more than 200 puzzle levels filled with traps set by Donkey Kong. Players use the stylus on the touch screen to guide the Mini Marios, place items and solve different puzzles. Players with a broadband Internet connection can even construct their own levels or download additional levels using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, as well as find new challenges to play in the thousands of user-created levels already available.

In addition to the included Mario game, built-in cameras and large screen, Nintendo DSi XL also provides access to downloadable games via the Nintendo DSiWare service. Users with broadband Internet access can redeem Nintendo DSi Points to download digital games. Nintendo DSi Points can be purchased in the Nintendo DSi Shop, or a Nintendo DSi Points Card can be purchased at retail locations.

The new Metallic Rose and Midnight Blue DSi XL bundles are priced at $169.99. Get more information at www.nintendo.com/ds.

The Nintendo 3DS is getting a major update this November, one that will give it the ability to record 3D videos. 3DS owners will be able to create their own original 3D productions and show them to others in 3D, all without using 3D glasses. The system update will also provide new experiences for people who have conquered all the StreetPass challenges in StreetPass Mii Plaza.

Also coming soon are two new Mario games for the 3DS- Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7. The first game hitting store shelves is Super Mario 3D Land on November 13. In this first true 3D Mario platforming adventure, players can scout levels and find secrets before they play using the built-in gyro sensor feature of the Nintendo 3DS system. The game will feature propeller blocks and will have StreetPass functionality. Mario Kart 7 will arrive December 4 and will include a new optional first-person driving mode that is controlled using the gyro sensor. The game also introduces new playable characters like Lakitu and Metal Mario, and a tricks system like the one in Mario Kart Wii. More details about both games will be announced in the near future.

Want to know what's in the works for 2012? A 3D Mario tennis game for the 3DS system - Mario Tennis (name not final) - will launch in 2012, along with a new 3D installment in the Animal Crossing franchise and new games in the Luigi's Mansion and Paper Mario franchises.

Nintendo is adding a new color to its DSi XL lineup. On September 18th, you'll be able to purchase the device in Metallic Rose, a color Nintendo describes as "an eye-catching shade of pink with a luminous modern sheen."

Nintendo DSi XL features two 4.2-inch screens that are 93 percent larger than the ones found on the Nintendo DS Lite system. It has two built-in cameras, Facebook photo integration and pre-loaded software including Flipnote Studio, Brain Age Express: Math, Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters and Photo Clock. You can also download additional content via the Nintendo DSi Shop (broadband Internet access required).

Other color options for the Nintendo DSi XL (which are still available) include Bronze, Midnight Blue and Burgundy. Nintendo DSi XL is available for $169.99.

Get more information about Nintendo DSi XL at www.nintendo.com/ds/systems/dsixl.

Sony is releasing a new PSP entertainment pack on August 30th for all you football and racing fans. The new bundle consists of a black PSP-3000, 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo, and both Madden NFL 12 and Need for Speed SHIFT on UMD. You'll be able to pick it up for just $159.99.

Madden NFL 12 includes all 32 NFL teams, stadiums, and your favorite players. The top features of the game include Superstar and Franchise modes and the opportunity to create your own plays in game. Released the same date as this special bundle, the game on it's own is priced at $39.99.

Need for Speed SHIFT simulates the feeling of driving high-end performance cars and combines a fast-paced racing experience, competitive racing AI, and dynamic crashes across a wide range of technically challenging race tracks. Need for Speed SHIFT currently sells for $32.99 at Amazon.com.

An excellent deal for football and racing fans, the PSP Madden NFL 12 and Need for Speed SHIFT bundle will be available on August 30, 2011 for $159.99. Get more info at http://us.playstation.com

Beginning September 9th, you'll be able to pick up a new Flame Red version of the Nintendo 3DS system. The new color will be priced at $169.99, the price that goes into effect August 12 for the current 3DS systems available now in Cosmo Black and Aqua Blue.

Nintendo will also be releasing two new Mario games in time for the holiday season - Super Mario 3D Land will launch in November, while Mario Kart 7 becomes available in December. Both games are completely new and are designed specifically for the Nintendo 3DS system.

"Nintendo 3DS is poised to be on fire for the holidays, with its new suggested retail price, great games and our new Flame Red color," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "With major upcoming releases in the Star Fox, Pokémon and Mario series, in addition to downloadable offerings from Nintendo eShop, Nintendo Video and Netflix, the system offers new and fun experiences to owners on a daily basis."

For more information, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

Nintendo has dropped the price of the Nintendo 3DS system to $169.99 – down from $249.99 when the system launched in March. The new price will go into effect on August 12, 2011.

"For anyone who was on the fence about buying a Nintendo 3DS, this is a huge motivation to buy now," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "We are giving shoppers every incentive to pick up a Nintendo 3DS, from an amazing new price to a rapid-fire succession of great games."

With such a dramatic price reduction, Nintendo wanted to be sure to take care of current 3DS owners. As a way of saying thanks for buying early, Nintendo is giving current owners of the 3DS 20 free downloadable games from the Nintendo eShop.

The free games will be available to anyone who owns a Nintendo 3DS system and uses a wireless broadband Internet signal to connect to the Nintendo eShop at least once before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Aug. 11. These users will automatically be registered in the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program. Read more