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The 3DS is ready. Are you?

​Come Sunday, March 27, Quentin Tarantino and Mariah Carey are going to have to share their birthday cake with the newest, coolest kid on the block-- the Nintendo 3DS.

 

Will it sell a billion copies in its first week? We don't know. Are the games going to be any good? We can't yet say. Will it actually cause Bleeding Eye Syndrome (BES)? We're certainly hopeful.

 

While there are plenty of unknowns circling the 3DS, there's plenty more we actually do know about the console, its features, the launch lineup, and more.

 

Whether you're still trying to decide if you want to take the 3D plunge or just in need of some reminders as to why you should be pumped for this weekend, we've got you covered. For your final refresher on what the 3DS has in store, check out the buyer's guide following the jump.

 

In case you missed it earlier this week, Garrett Martin has supplied his final thoughts on the 3DS handheld system right over here. For the short version, Martin says the 3DS "lives up to the hype" and "adds a dimension of depth without inflicting pain." Depending on your bizarre tastes, both points sound like positives to us. Now on to the specifics...

 

Out of the box

For $249.99, the 3DS offers what you would expect for a new piece of hardware, which is to say the basics. Along with the system, you'll also get an adjustable stylus, a (rather sexy) charging cradle, six AR cards for altered reality games, an AC adapter and a 2GB SD memory card for storing downloadable content like DSiWare titles and upcoming Classics. If you plan on downloading even a few games, we'd recommend you go ahead and upgrade that memory card early, as 2GB doesn't go as far as it used to.

 

The features

So the system looks great, but what can it do besides play 3D games? For starters, the 3DS has a built-in motion sensor and gyro sensor, meaning motion controls are likely to find their way into many upcoming titles. The system also has three cameras, including one on the screen side for taking photos of yourself, and two on the back for taking 3D photos, 3D video (eventually) and playing altered reality games. There's also a slider for controling the 3DS effects, for those of you who fear the effects of BES.

 

​The software

For those upgrading from a DS or DSi, you'll be happy to know that the console is backwards compatible, so you can still play all of your old games on the new system.

 

Other software includes a Mii Maker, the ability to transfer your data from an older system, several altered reality (AR) games, StreetPass (which swaps Mii and play data with other users), the Face Raiders game, an activity log that keeps up with info like play time, an internet browser, the Nintendo 3DS Sound application (which lets you listen to MP3s off the SD card), and an eShop that will eventually let you purchase software specifically designed for the 3DS as well as classic titles from the original Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Gear and TurboGrafx-16. Look for the virtual shops to open in late May.

 

There's also the SpotPass freature. Last month, Nintendo and AT&T announced a partnership that would allow 3DS users to effortlessly connect to more than 10,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hot spots around the country for easy access to online features.

 

One such online application, and possibly one of the 3DS' strongest selling points, is the announced Netflix support. No date has been announced for the service, but it is known viewers will be able to pause their content on either the Wii or 3DS and pick right back up where they left off on the other system.

 

The games

Finally, while the 3DS already includes quite a few features to keep you busy for hours on end, a new system is only as strong as its games lineup. The 3DS will launch with 18 titles ranging from racing games to sports, fighting, action, adventure and more. Here's a rundown of what you can pick up with that new system day one:

 

Pilotwings Resort

Nintendogs + Cats

Steel Driver

Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition

The Sims 3

Madden NFL Football

Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D

Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars

Ridge Racer 3D

Super Monkey Ball 3D

Bust-A-Move Universe

Samurai Warriors: Chronicles

Asphault 3D

Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D

Rayman 3D

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars

 

Soooooooo...What do you readers think? Is this going to be the best handheld console launch ever? Are you rushing out to get one? Waiting to see what titles are in the works? Anticipating an eventual price drop before making the buy? We need the deets and we need them now.