Never a company to follow trends, Nintendo has developed a reputation as a trend-setter. The Japanese multi-national corporation continued that pattern this past Spring with the release of the Nintendo 3DS, the successor to the popular Nintendo DS.

Going a step further than its predecessor, the 3DS features a three-dimensional stereoscopic effect by utilizing the autostereoscopy process. The result is the world’s first handheld video game that features glasses-free 3-D. The experience, to no one’s surprise, is totally unique and once again proves that Nintendo, never content to be just “one of the pack,” has done it once more.

First impressions do matter, and the 3DS may not pass the “first look” test with many gamers. After the smooth curves of the DS, the 3DS, in comparison, looks almost “plain,” but once it’s in hand, users will immediately see that the improved functionality overshadows any doubts about the style. Another marked difference from the DS is the 3DS’ ultra glossy finish. It may take hardcore gamers awhile to adapt to the smoother “grip,” of the 3DS, but it’s a minor complaint.

The 3DS display features a top screen that measures 3 1/2 inches diagonally, while the bottom screen measures in at just over 3 inches. The 3DS screen resolution is much higher than the DS Lite screen, giving the user a wider playing area as well as incredible 3-D graphics.

The exterior features dual VGA cameras; one for taking 3-D pictures and one for scanning AR (Augmented Reality) cards. Left and right clickers are situated near the rear hinge, along with game cartridge slots, a charging port, an infrared beam port and a retractable stylus. The left side features a sliding volume control, SD card slot, a wireless toggle switch and on the bottom is an audio jack.

The 3DS comes with loads of software, including a unique Activity Log which tracks game play and has the additional feature of counting each step taken, which allows the user to accumulate Play Coins, which can be
redeemed for special games and applications. Also included is a fully functional Internet browser that is “game-friendly,” allowing gamers to pause a game without having to restart.

The Face Raiders built-in game is sure to give gamers a fun, new experience with its ability to take your own pictures which can then be inserted into an actual game.

The Nintendo 3DS initial color launch offers Blue and Cosmo Black, with Flame Red available in September.

Nintendo is one of the gaming industry’s leading innovators. The company is always working to provide new gaming experiences for players. They have clearly proved their competency with systems like the Wii and the Nintendo DS.

During E3 2011, Nintendo revealed the first glimpse of its new system, Wii U. However, they did not show any live demonstrations of the new system or a picture of the console itself. They only showed a picture of the Wii U’s controller.

The controller’s design looks similar to popular tablets like the iPad, but it also resembles the Nintendo DS. The screen on the controller can be used in conjunction with the TV screen for many games. The controller can also be used to initiate video calls, take pictures and surf the web. All of these features prove that Nintendo’s products are more than for gaming. Video games are making a steady trend towards social media.

Nintendo Global President Satoru Iwata said that the new system can be loved by all types of gamers. Both hard-core gamers who love graphics and gameplay and casual gamers who love addictability and fun can enjoy the games that will be available for the Wii U. However, Iwata later mentioned that Nintendo has yet to make a game that both types of gamers will find interesting. He hopes that the Wii U will be the platform that is deep enough to provide that type of gaming experience.

The design and features of the new controller shows that Nintendo is making a positive move towards the social aspect of gaming. Perhaps the controller will allow users to download applications that can be used as a stand-alone feature. Video calls and web surfing are two known features that users will be able to do with the Wii U’s controller.

The Wii U’s announcement was probably the most exciting news at the 2011 E3 conference. There was no mention of prices, but the release date is set for 2012. The little details in this announcement will give gamers something to talk about until Nintendo releases more news.

The Kinect is a separate sensor piece that needs to be purchased separately from the Xbox 360. It features such technology as a depth sensor and RGB camera. This technology provides 3d motion capture, facial recognition, and voice recognition capabilities. The camera is able to pivot to follow the user and keep them in frame when they are moving. Another great plus to having the Kinect with the Xbox 360 is the ability to have a headset free chat over Xbox live since the sensor has the capability to conduct ambient noise suppression. No more fighting with the headset while in the middle of an intense multiplayer match on the Xbox live!

The Xbox Kinect is a great addition to the Xbox 360 family. It allows all types of gamers to have fun. Hardcore gamers to casual ones, the ability to play a video game controller free will be and can be fun and appealing.

In the best tradition of the beholder’s eye, here are my picks for the top 5 games for the Xbox:

1. Red Dead Redemption. Saddle up, pilgrim, it’s time to bring some justice back to the Old West. This free roaming third person shooter puts you in Clint Eastwood’s shoes as John Marston, outlaw turned hero in the American Old West that should have been, and perhaps only ever existed for Hollywood.

2. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2. A shooter with heavy RPG elements is still a shooter, but Lucas Arts did it right with all the trappings and rich back story of the Star Wars universe. Lightsabers, the Force, droids, and an unmatched hive of scum and villainy put you in the action in a world where Greedo never would have got the chance to shoot first.

3. Lego Harry Potter: Okay, so waving a wand and blasting little Lego people into their component bricks isn’t exactly a shooter. But this latest entry in the Lego series of licensed games brings its own twist to the addictive puzzle and platform formula that made Legos Batman, Indiana Jones, and Star Wars so captivating. And its funny; famous scenes from the movies done up in silent movie Legos? Priceless.

4. Halo: Reach. Halo is unquestionably the game that established the bar for every other Xbox shooter to target, and the new entry in the series is no exception. It makes the most of that Xbox Live connection to put you and your buddies into the hot zone with a whole new set of rules, toys, and customizations that are guaranteed to keep your guns blazing.

5. Bioshock. This is one to watch, with the combination of intriguing gameplay and immersive storyline. The sheer variety of tasks puts you in a world where I just want to keep exploring the possibilities of one more upgrade, and the challenge of hacking another odd computer. Just because I can.

No coincidence that shooters form the core of my top Xbox games. The fast pace and frenetic action fuel my adrenaline like unfiltered caffeine!

For people that are looking for a dependable way to watch movies on mobile devices, Netflix is truly the answer. For college students especially, this will be a choice one never regrets! It is simply the best decision my sorority ever made and we enjoy watching movies on this site so much.

Initial impressions are highly positive. Corporate is already expecting a year-long sell out, similar to what was seen with the Nintendo Wii, for the 3DS. Although pricing has not yet been announced, initial sources estimate it to be available worldwide by March 31st.

Gamers will be awash in motion controls this holiday season. Microsoft’s Kinect will also be competing against Sony’s latest peripheral.

The move will launch with ten or more titles from companies such as Konami, Sony, and Capcom. The console will support up to four players at once, making it an ideal system for party gaming. Players can expect to see it on the market in America on September 19th.

It remains to be seen what interest level gamers will have in the Move, but expect a major rollout feature a multi-media advertising blitz shortly.

The system will offer facial and voice recognition. One example provided was the capacity to control the motion of a light saber on screen by utilizing hand movements. The control system will also facilitate such actions as synchronization of dance moves versus an on screen command prompt as shown in MTV Game’s Dance Central.

As sound and graphics have attained near life like experiences a greater number of video game makers are now looking for new ways to immerse the gamer. By getting them more physically involved in games, the game makers are hoping to give gamers another reason to continue playing.