Nintendo 3DS Launch Games List Offers Variety, Lacks Zelda And Kid Icarus» MTV Multiplayer

Today unleashed many theretofore unknown details on the launch of the Nintendo 3DS, including the price ($249) the release date (March 27, 2011) and the list of launch games. Well,"launch window"games. We're not clear on the games that'll be available right at the system's launch, but Nintendo did release a list of games that'll release sometime between March 27 and the start of E3 in early June. Apparently that list will include at least 30 games, but right now, Nintendo is only confirming the following:

Pilotwings Resort
Nintendogs + Cats
Steel Driver
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked
Super Street Fighter 4 3D Edition
Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D
Madden NFL Football
The Sims 3
Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D
Lego Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars
Ridge Racer 3D
Dual Pen Sports
Super Monkey Ball 3D
Thor: God of Thunder
Crush 3D
Bust-a-Move Universe
Samurai Warriors: Chronicles
Dead or Alive Dimensions
Asphalt 3D
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Shadow Wars
Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D
Rayman 3D
Rabbids Travel in Time

So that's 24 titles, with at least 7 still to be named. What's missing from that list are two of the most anticipated 3DS games, though."Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D"and"Kid Icarus: Uprising"are both listed by Nintendo as titles that are"in the works,"along with"Star Fox 64 3D,"and new Mario Kart, Animal Crossing and Paper Mario games.

Sure, you could argue that"Kid Icarus"and"Legend of Zelda"are among those missing 7, but why then would Nintendo list them out separately from the launch window games? Sounds a lot like both will be missing the window, relegated to summer and beyond.

It's a shame, because, at present, Nintendo doesn't seem to have a killer first-party game for the first couple months of its new handheld's lifecycle. It's a rarity for Nintendo, which is always front in center, software-wise, when they launch new hardware. It's not to say that"Pilotwings,""Nintendogs + Cats"and"Steel Driver"are bad games, but they're certainly not the games Nintendo fans are likely clamoring for.

We'll be speaking with Nintendo tomorrow morning about some of our remaining questions, but if you have anything you're dying to know, let us know in the comments or onTwitterand we'll be sure to answer some of them.

Source