Nintendo 3DS: 2011 to 2012 and Beyond

It has been an up and down year for Nintendo last year. To add to that, stocks plummeted for the company that Mario had built. Here in our Nintendo 3DS blog, we take a look at some, if not all, the exciting stuff that happened in 2011 for the Nintendo 3DS.

The Nintendo 3DS Launch

The Japanese flocked over the stores for the new Nintendo handheld, the west did the same. For the first time we can experience 3D in our hands. But the market soon change and all of a sudden, the new handheld was deemed not exciting and not profitable.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

The new handheld saw upcoming Nintendo 3DS games being cancelled one after the other. But despite all of that, one franchise delivered a boost for the 3DS during the rough times - the Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. While this had happened, stocks of Nintendo plummeted causing the top people at the company to take action. Nintendo president Satoru Iwata slashed his salary by 50%. Although Nintendo is a big company, Iwata's salary is actually not that high in comparison of that of Sony and the others. Nevertheless he did that instead of laying of employees which was a usual thing for corporate offices to do when stocks are down.

The Price Drop and Resurgence of Interest

Ultimately, Nintendo announced of a price cut for the new Nintendo handheld. It was so sudden that people spoke of doom and gloom for the company. Some even said that Nintendo should now allow itself to be just a software company and abandon hardware completely - a move Nintendo historically refused in doing. The company takes pride of what it has to offer. To the fanboys, Nintendo is a culture and they can never imagine the company switching to developing titles for smartphones. And they reiterated - they never will.

But by bit, the Nintendo 3DS started to gain attention again. 

A double dose of Mario plus Monster Hunter

Perhaps, the biggest thing that can happen to the Nintendo 3DS is the release of two flagship Mario titles this  year - Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land. This actually has never happened before. But to ensure interest, Nintendo may have studied that this strategic move will prove to be more profitable in the long run. To add to the holiday repertoire, Monster Hunter 3G got released to monstrous sales. The series has been very very popular in Japan, and together with the other two Mario titles, the Nintendo 3DS dominated the charts in the holidays. This had happened despite the release of the Playstation Vita.

2012 and beyond

This year will be very exciting for the Nintendo 3DS as well. Kid Icarus will come flying once again, while Kingdom Hearts returns to Nintendo with Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. Solid Snake's adventure gets an upgrade with Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D while Valentine's Day in Japan will be filled with 3D love with the release of New Love Plus. Fire Emblem rises back with awakening while we all wait for Monster Hunter 4 and a new Legend of Zelda title.

Here at N-Handhelds, this Nintendo 3DS blog will do its best to deliver Nintendo 3DS news which you can never find elsewhere, be it in a new perspective up to translated titles from Famitsu. The year 2012 will be an exciting one not just for the Nintendo 3DS, but also for this blog as well.

Without further ado, I say HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you!