Video Games, Portable Console | featured news

For Apple and Zynga, this E3 was a magical event. Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo all retreated within the crumbling walls of aging franchises and spin-off sequels. Under attack from mobile and social games, the Big Three console vendors are stumbling through the year 2012. Nintendo had a notably disappointing Wii U showcase and Sony’s Vita lacks the powerful slate of new titles it needs. We may be drifting towards a scenario where Nintendo shrinks to a rump company focusing only on portable gaming – and knocks out Sony’s PS Vita in the process.

Nintendo has sold 4.5 million 3DS units, its latest hand-held device, in the U.S., setting what the company said was potential momentum for its next big product, the Wii U console.

It’s astounding to think that just a few years ago, the Nintendo DS and the PSP were the lone mobile devices that gamers had to choose from. It must have been nice for Sony and Nintendo, to only have each other to compete with.

The 3DS has continued to gain momentum, crossing four million units sold in the U.S. thanks to strong sales of Mario Kart 7 and Super Mario 3D Land.

In the wake of another investor backlash, the company president remains adamant in his stance against mobile gaming.

Sony has released official specification sheet, which states that Vita has 512MB RAM.

Although Sony has yet to pin down a release date for the Sony PlayStation Vita, an alleged ad from Blockbuster UK seems to indicate an October worldwide launch.

Nintendo is taking the idea of the "second screen" to a new level. The company on Tuesday showed off a prototype gaming system called Wii U, which consists of a smartphone-like remote control that works with its existing Wii gaming system to let gamers play on two screens at the same time.

Sony said on Monday its new handheld game device would be called PlayStation Vita. The company added that it would partner with AT&T as exclusive carrier for the 3G version of the device in the United States.

Nintendo has done its best to launch a new era in video games with the launch of its 3DS portable gaming system, which goes on sale for $249 on Sunday. The appeal of this device, which can display games in stereoscopic 3D without glasses, is growing on me. But I’m not sure it’s the greatest thing since the iPhone.