What's Next For 3DS?

This weekend marked the launch of the Nintendo 3DS in America, and despite the innovative new hardware features, the first round of games wasn’t exactly mind-blowing. So what can we expect from the next wave of titles? We break down all of the upcoming 3DS games that have been announced for this summer. Keep in mind that all of the release dates below are tentative, and based on how little information is out there for some titles, a few will probably change. 

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 3D
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Release Date: April 10
Sam Fisher finds another platform to infiltrate as he is sent to the Korean Peninsula to prevent WWIII in this upcoming 3DS title. Apparently no task is too big for the scruffy master of stealth. Sneak, spy, shoot some guns, and pick locks…IN 3D. Check out Fisher on the move in this media gallery.

Dual Pen Sports
Developer: Namco Bandai
Release Date: May 3
Are you tired of sports games that only use one stylus? Then this is the game for you. Dual Pen Sports allows players to compete in seven sports minigames, including archery, home run derby, boxing, and soccer. The cartoony graphics are a step up from Wii Sports, but the main gimmick (besides the stereoscopic 3D) is that the control scheme for each minigame uses two styluses, leading to deeper gameplay than most casual games can offer. Wait a minute -- if you're playing the game with two styluses, how are you supposed to hold the 3DS? We don't have enough hands, Namco!

Thor: God of Thunder
Developer: WayForward
Release Date: May 3
We still don't know a whole lot about the 3DS version of Thor: God of Thunder -- We haven't even seen the box art for it yet. Aside from being based on the upcoming movie, we do know that the console version is going to be a third-person God of War-style action adventure game that involves hitting a lot of monsters in the head with a giant hammer. So the 3DS version is probably going to be like that, only in 3D.

Balloon Pop 2
Developer: UFO Interactive Games
Release Date: May 10
From the makers of Balloon Pop and OMG 26: Our Mini Games comes the sequel to end all sequels: Balloon Pop 2. Like its predecessor, Balloon Pop 2 is a puzzle game vaguely reminiscent of Bust-A-Move, without those little dinosaurs from Bubble Bobble. If you like puzzle games, it might be worth checking out, but we're guessing it's not going to be taking full advantage of the 3DS.

LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game
Developer: Traveller’s Tales
Release Date: May 10
LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game will tell the story of all four Pirates films, including the upcoming On Stranger Tides. The 3DS version will use the same assets of its console brethren for some impressive visuals and lighting effects on the powerful handheld. Controls on the other hand will be tailored for the system for smoother character navigation and camera control. LEGO Pirates will offer 20 story levels across key film locations, where players will come across more than 70 familiar and new characters including Will Turner, Gibbs, and of course, punch-drunk Jack Sparrow – all in minifig form. As per usual, LEGO Pirates will allow a player to join the fray at any time for two-player drop-in/drop-out co-op. For even more friendly interaction, a rock-paper-scissor style dueling minigame will be available via StreetPass, that will unlock characters for the minigame and main campaign.

SpongeBob SquigglePants
Developer: WayForward
Release Date: May 10
The original SpongeBob SquigglePants is a Wii game that utilizes THQ's uDraw peripheral. The game features a collection of WarioWare-style micro-games, as well as the ability to draw and color your own artwork. It makes sense to bring it to the 3DS considering the handheld has a built-in stylus, but we're still not sure how it will implement 3D. However, it says 3D on the box, so we're sure whatever WayForward does it will be magnificent.

Dead Or Alive Dimensions
Developer: Team Ninja
Release Date: May 31
Perverts rejoice: Dead Or Alive Dimensions brings Team Ninja's busty female fighters (there might be a couple of guys buried in there too, though no one has ever noticed) into the third dimension, and we'd be shocked if the developer didn't fully exploit the stereoscopic 3D effect for its iconic boob physics. However, this installment of the fighting series has plenty of other features to keep fans entertained, including all of the story lines from the previous games, 25 DOA fighters (the biggest roster of any DOA game to date), and online multiplayer.

Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion
Developer: Papaya Studio
Release Date: May
Cartoon Network cast members team up in this brawler cross-over that takes a few pointers from the popular Smash Bros. series. Join the animated fray by choosing one of 18 CN stars to battle across 32 levels. Punch Time Explosion offers battle and story modes, and online multiplayer. And should you be so virtuous, you can share your game with other 3DS owners thanks to Download Play support.

Dream Trigger 3D
Developer: Art Co. Ltd.
Release Date: May
In Dream Trigger 3D, you’ll be the “fixer of dreams” tasked to keep the epilepsy-inducing game world from being consumed by opposing forces. The colorful bullet hell shooter offers more than 50 levels and 100 challenges to complete across wildly varying environments. Visuals are set to a multi-track musical score that mixes classical compositions and adds sound layers as you blast the opposition. There will be story, free play, and time attack modes, plus local two-player versus mode to shoot the s*** with a friend.

Pac-Man & Galaga Dimensions
Developer: Namco Bandai
Release Date: June 7
Pac-Man. Galaga. 3D. Need we say more? Alright, fine. Galaga 3D Impact is a shooting game where you pilot a ship from a cockpit viewpoint and control your aim with the system’s gyroscope. Pac-Man Tilt will also make use of the motion function as players can tilt the DS to alter game levels.

Pinball Hall of Fame Williams Collection
Developer: FarSight Studio
Release Date: June 14
The critically acclaimed pinball franchise makes its way to 3DS. The 3D effect reportedly aids in ball navigation as the added depth makes it seem like you’re looking down an actual table. Groooooovy.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked
Developer: Atlus
Release Date: June 28
Here’s a game that is sure to make Phil Kollar’s head explode. The excellent Devil Survivor that first released in 2009 on DS is getting a 3D spin-off. The next entry in Atlus’ long-running Shin Megami series will feature full voice acting, remastered visuals, and new demons to fight and recruit. Overclocked also adds an eighth day to the original’s week-long plot for you to sign even more hours of your life away. Feast your eyes on the latest trailer.

Captain America: Super Soldier
Developer: Next Level Games
Release Date: July 19
The second movie-based game we know absolutely nothing about, the 3DS version of Captain America: Super Soldier is set to launch alongside the console versions. Like Thor: God Of Thunder, Captain America is a third-person action adventure game. Basically, substitute Thor's hammer for Captain America's shield, and you get the idea. Also, 3D!!!

James Noir's Hollywood Crimes
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Release Date: June 7
What do you get when you mix James Bond, L.A. Noire, and Hollywoodland? Not James Noir's Hollywood Crimes, that's for sure. Instead, this puzzle game from Ubisoft plays out more like a Professor Layton title, tasking you with uncovering a killer on the set of a '60s game show. Did we mention that you are one of the contestants? Muahahaha! Joking aside, James Noir promises over 140 puzzles, which should keep wannabe sleuths entertained for quite some time. Check out this article for more screens.

Deca Sports Extreme
Developer: Hudson Soft
Release Date: June 14
As if competing in ten sports wasn't already extreme enough, Hudson Soft is upping the ante with the most insane sporting events on the planet. Here they are, in order of legitimacy: Basketball, soccer, tennis, ice hockey, sumo wrestling, bowling, snowmobile racing, sport blowgun, snowball fight(?!), and trampoline. If none of those sound that extreme to you, it's worth noting that the Japanese version is apparently just called Deca Sports: 3D Sports. Up to four players can partake in the extreme fun via local wireless play.

Transformers: Dark Of The Moon
Developer: Behaviour Interactive
Release Date: June 14
Prepare yourself for a strange sense of déjà vu. Dark Of The Moon is yet another movie-based tie in game, and although we don't have any news on the 3DS version, the console version is going to be a third-person shooter similar to Transformers: War For Cybertron. The biggest difference is that the 3DS version will feature...Oh, you know the drill.

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D
Developer: Capcom
Release Date: Summer
Fight the good fight against the undead in the latest installment of Capcom’s beloved horror franchise on 3DS. You’ll get a chance to play as Chris, Claire, Hunk, and Krauser (more to be announced) in more than 30 remixed challenges from RE4 and RE5. Mercenaries also offers Wi-Fi or local co-op so you can team up with friends against hordes of infected and blood-thirsty bosses. Check out our hands-on impressions.

Pet Zombies In 3D
Developer: 1st Playable Productions
Release Date: September
Although it doesn't technically release this summer, this might be our most anticipated 3DS game yet. Pet Zombies In 3D tasks you with taking care of your very own pet zombie. You’ll feed your zombie brains, play games with it, and manage its “bodily maintenance,” whatever that means. You’ll also be able to customize your zombies, by applying different “facial bone deformations, variable decay, clothing, and unlockable items.” It’s sort of like the movie Fido, only cuter.

Are you excited for the next round of 3DS games, or are you still not sold on Nintendo's newest handheld? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Additional reporting by Annette Gonzalez.