Nintendo have today officially announced the successor to the Nintendo DS…and it’s called the Nintendo 3DS. While this is temporary name, the press release confirms that the system will provide ‘3D effects without the need for special glasses’, and that it is schedule for release ‘during the fiscal year ending March 2011′. The system will also be fully backwards compatible with the DSs vast library of titles.

3D is all the rage at the moment, with cinema box-office tills ringing with the massive success of films such as Avatar and Alice in Wonderland 3D; Sony are also pursuing a soon-to-be released 3D solution for the PS3 as well as pushing 3D televisions. In this climate, Nintendo’s announcement makes complete sense – the gaming giant has gone on the record as stating that the follow up to the DS needs to offer more than just improved visuals, and 3D functionality in a hand-held is certainly offering some new.

We’re eagerly awaiting E3 2010 (June 15th 2010), where we are promised more details will be revealed (tilt sensors anyone?).

No images of the system have been released, but here’s a quick recap of the evolution of Nintendo dual-screen money-printing-machine!

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