Over the years, Nintendo have led the way with their innovative products, fantastic games and cutting edge technology. Early in their development Nintendo were onto a winner with the smash hit game, Super Mario Bros for the NES and later for the SNES. Keen gamers will remember the splash they made with the Nintendo 64 games console, one of the best selling consoles of all time despite the hot competition from Sony’s first Playstation. Nintendo’s partnerships with top quality games publishers such as Capcom, Bandai and Konami from the outset meant games development and retail was swift, innovative and good quality.

Since the success of the N64, the world has enjoyed the delights of the GameCube which brought faster loading speeds and better graphics and more recently the interactive fun of the Nintendo Wii. Despite being released in 2006, the Wii’s motion sensing abilities have only been challenged by rival console manufacturers Microsoft and Sony in 2010 with the release of the Playstation Move and the Kinect for the Xbox 360. Whilst the Nintendo Wii lags behind its competitors in terms of graphics quality, it has more than made up for this by cornering a niche market of thirty something non serious gamers who enjoy the interactivity and social side of games like Wii Sports and Wii Fit.

In the past Nintendo has also produced superb standards of hand held consoles, from the original Game and Watch through to the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance and more recently the dual screened touch sensitive DS console. The DS has stepped again into a niche market, with some of the best brain training and puzzle games aimed squarely at the more mature games enthusiast and has successfully outsold rival PSP consoles year on year. The latest incarnation of the console, the Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL features internet connectivity, a camera and an SD slot for increased storage. The Nintendo DSi is currently the most popular hand held games console in the world.

Due to be released in the UK this week, the Nintendo 3DS is the newest handheld console to hit the streets. Featuring groundbreaking ‘glasses free’ 3D graphics and dual rear mounted cameras for ‘augmented reality’ gaming, the Nintendo 3DS is expected to break new ground in gaming technology and open the doors to games developers for a world of new experiences.

But what will be next from the granddaddy of games consoles? There has been a great deal of speculation about the possible release of the Nintendo Wii 2 and latest rumours suggest the new console may be revealed at E3 in June 2011. Amongst the features gamers are speculating (or hoping) to be included in the Nintendo Wii 2 are HD graphics, a quad core processor, up rated motion control, a blu ray player and even an LED projector, removing the need for TV hardware. Others are hoping the Wii 2 will build on the new technology in the Nintendo 3DS, creating more augmented reality games on the big screen.

With all the successes the company has built over the years with the Nintendo DSi, Wii and now the Nintendo 3DS the world waits with baited breath to see what will be next. Nobody knows for sure what the new console will look like, but one thing is certain, that it will no doubt be another resounding success at doing what Nintendo does best – bringing gaming out of teenagers bedrooms and into the family lounge for everyone to enjoy.

Nintendogs + Cats

An update of the hugely successful DS hit Nintendogs, this new version retains similar gameplay and adds felines into the mix to create a virtual pet simulation that looks set to become a 3DS favourite. As well as incorporating the touchscreen and microphone interaction from the original game, Nintendogs + Cats will also use the 3DS’ front-facing camera for facial recognition. The game will be available in three different versions: French Bulldog & New Friends, Golden Retriever & New Friends and Toy Poodle & New Friends.

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D

A criticism often levelled at modern Nintendo consoles is that the library of games is too child-focused with nothing of interest for mature gamers. It’s something of a misconception, though; there are plenty of titles of interest to older console owners available for both the Wii and the DS if you know where to look. The 3DS looks to continue in that vein with the release of Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D which takes inspiration from the Mercenaries Mode first introduced in Resident Evil 3: Nemesis and expanded so expertly in both Resident Evil 4 and 5 . Players are tasked with defeating as many enemies as possible in a given time frame in a high score battle that rewards tactical play.

Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars

The previous Lego Star Wars games have been wonderful fun, combining a playful interpretation of the films’ characters and plotlines with a simple but engaging platform-based gameworld to create a charming series of games with a serious dose of the ‘just one more level’ factor. The third instalment looks to be just as enticing, this time taking its cues from The Clone Wars, an animated television series that expands on the universe mapped out in the original trilogy of Star Wars films and their three prequels.

Pilotwings Resort

Many Nintendo fans have been pining for a new game in the Pilotwings franchise for many years to no avail but the Nintendo 3DS is set to deliver the goods with Pilotwings Resort. The flight simulation game, which comes 15 years after the last instalment Pilotwings 64, looks to share many features with Wii smash hit Wii Sports Resort and will allow owners of both consoles to use their existing Mii characters in the game.

FIFA 3DS

The go-to franchise for football fans the world over is coming to the Nintendo 3DS in an all-new incarnation. Details are a little thin on the ground so far (the game’s title hasn’t even been finalised yet) but it’s been confirmed as a European launch title so details should start to trickle through sooner rather than later. Given the FIFA games’ usual brand of adrenaline pumping sporting action, though, you can be sure that this will be one to keep an eye on.

When playing tennis outside, much time will be spent simply chasing loose balls. Tennis on Wii: Sports for example sees the same movement repeated in fast succession, making painful injuries more possible.

I can vouch for this through my adoration of Wii games. Last year, I became rather addicted the medical simulation game Trauma Centre: New Blood. Zig-zagging sutures and delicately replacing a pace maker really takes its strain on your hands my fingers were painfully locking regularly! Before that I had a 48 hour love affair with manic party game WarioWare: Smooth Moves. Completing every level, breaking my own personal best and unlocking all the various “Toy Room” bonuses proved to be quite harsh on my limbs, leaving my with painful shoulder for a couple of days after the games completion.

The following tips should help you to prevent future damage to yourself the next time you plug in your Wii or Kinect:

• Take regular breaks: Whilst exercise is good for you it is important to allow your body to recover. A lengthy stint on Wii fencing might not seem strenuous until the next day when you’re aching!

• It might seem a little silly but you should have a good stretch before launching into the physical gaming action. You’ll feel healthier for it in the long run!

• Switching playing positions at regular intervals and you should attempt to maintain a good posture and this will put less strain on your body.

• If you just can’t limit your motion sensitive gaming addiction, perhaps you should consider investing in an Xbox 360 Kinect, which instead of relying on controller dependant motions, the setup measures movements from all parts of your body, easing the strain on singular limbs.

Nintendo’s new DSi has officially been announced, it boasts some new features such as SD card support, two cameras and slightly larger screens, whilst at the same time being 12% slimmer than it’s predercessor the DS Lite.

Here’s a list of the new Nintendo DSi features:

• Larger Screens (increased from 3 inches to 3.25 inches)
• Built in SD Memory Card Support
• Built in Web Browser Application (Most likely Opera)
• MP3 Support
• Front facing VGA camera
• External 3 Mega Pixel Camera

Whilst the hardware is 12% slimmer it is missing the GBA slot, however if you like your GBA games that much you can pick up a GBA really cheap now days.

Various images can be found here: http://n-europe.com/news.php?nid=12393