Unfortunately, these miniatures are non-functioning. So while you may have wanted your pet ant or beetle to have some good old fashioned fun playing some PaRappa the Rapper, that won’t be happening anytime soon.

However, it’s still cool how detailed these miniatures are. The Japanese are probably going nutty for these right about now.

For more pics, check out Sebastian’s full Flickr set that he calls Mini World or his Tumblr.

[Insanely Gaming via Thaeger]

You just popped it into your console with the game, and you had god-like powers, whether it be extra lives, level skips or whatever. Well, the Game Genie is back from Hyperkin.

The first model is compatible with the Nintendo 3DS, DSi, DSi XL, DS Lite and DS, unlocking over 60,000 hidden cheats and tricks across over 300 titles. The device can also be updated via Wi-Fi with new codes, and lets you backup and swap save games with friends. You can find it on Amazon for about $20(USD). More Game Genie products will be on display at CES 2012.

[via PRlog]

The new handheld looks sort of like a DSi, but features a widescreen 3.5″ 3D display at the top which requires no glasses to see the its 3D effect. In addition to the classic touchscreen interface, control is provided through an analog “slide” control, which is located above the D-Pad, and the 3DS also includes a motion sensor and gyroscopic controls. There’s also a special “3D depth” slider, which lets you adjust the 3D effect to your personal taste (and eyeballs).

The system will also be backwards-compatible with games from the DSi. They also revealed that the 3DS would feature a significantly improved graphics chipset, capable of cranking out graphics that look almost as good or better than a Wii from what we can tell. Check out the example screen from the launch title Kid Icarus Uprising for an example of what to expect:

Nintendo also surprised us today, showing off a dual-lens camera on the back of the 3DS, allowing you to shoot your own 3D images, although it’s not clear if it supports video, or just still images.

Nintendo also revealed the 3DS will support playback of Hollywood blockbusters in 3D on the handheld’s glasses-free display. In addition, the 3DS will be able to communicate wirelessly, even when asleep, allowing game downloads, and even persistent universes which continue to update when you’re not playing.

Word from launch developers is that the 3D effect on the 3DS is nothing short of spectacular, with objects literally flying off the screen without need for any glasses.

Nintendo’s initial first-party titles for the 3DS include Kid Icarus Uprising, Mario Kart, nintendogs + cats, PilotWings Resort, Animal Crossing, StarFox 64, Steel Diver and Paper Mario.

There’s no word yet on pricing or a release date for the 3DS, but as soon as we know, we’ll be sure to let you know.

UPDATE: here are the first official glamour shots of the Nintendo 3DS, in shiny red and blue variants:

[Photo Credit: Engadget]

Still, it kind of looks awesome. Just imagine, sitting in your office and peering out to the other screen of this gigantic DS pad.

The photos are part of a series focusing on video game consoles. They include some 3D work by Antoine Mairot. While they look cool, some of these look a bit awkward. The DS and the classic NES don’t make very practical or good-looking buildings. The PS3 office building on the other hand…

[via Fubiz]

Nintendo trademarked 3DS, 3DSPlay and 3DSWare. 3DSWare makes me think of DSiWare, the gaming distribution network that’s used by Nintendo for the DSi.

It’s definitely a clever name, since it combines 3D with DS. It’s also very simple all but seals the deal that 3DS will be the name of the new portable console. What do you guys think? Will it be 3DS or something more complicated? Personally, I think that it’s a great name.

[via Kotaku]

While there are no images of the 3DS yet, what I have here is a video – no, not of the Nintendo 3DS. Instead, we have this humorous video of a potential design for the 3DS, courtesy of Japan’s Nicovideo.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Wow. That’s some 3D. And no glasses, either! Plus, it actually looks like it’s better constructed than my old DSi with the broken plastic hinges.

[via Tiny Cartridge]

Brown exterior, black interior, and cunning little pockets for extras. This is definitely a case fit for a gentleman… and you can top it off with a card case that holds several games and accessories, and these DS covers too, for the full Layton-look.

But, uh, one of these things is not quite like the others. A hot pink Layton case? I guess weirder things have happened.

[NCSX via Tiny Cartridge]

Oh well. At least we’ll be treated to more of the game’s beautiful art… and it’s not like there’s anything wrong with the title Hotel Dusk!

The sequel is due in Japan in January, and of course, there’s no word yet on localization, but the first game was well-received and developer Cing has a following here. Nintendo published the first game themselves, so I’d be willing to bet someone will take a chance on bringing the further mysterious adventures of Kyle Hyde to parts outside Japan.

[via NeoGAF]

At first glance, this seems to be from the uncomfortable-controls school of gaming accessories, but it looks like all the trim and flounce is limited to the top of the case, which means that for most games, only people unfortunate enough to be standing in front of you are at risk from gem-induced blindness. Playing a few DS games might get uncomfortable, though; anytime you’ve got to turn that bad boy sideways, your fingers are going to hate you.

But hey! The overall effect looks good; everything is carefully placed and affixed, and at first glance, this looks like a retail case–but it was all hand-decorated.

Seriously, this has to be the least-scary monster I’ve ever seen, even with those fangs. He’s got those big, friendly eyes and a sort of goofiness in the overall design. Perhaps the best part? The Etsy seller responsible for these cute creations is named wiggletiggy. Could that be any more adorable? Unsurprisingly, wiggletiggy’s shop is filled with all sorts of fantastic creatures, only some of which are protecting gadgets. The rest are just hanging out and being cool, waiting for someone to take them home.

This case is foam-lined–and if you’ve ever dropped a DS, you know how valuable that is. An extra layer of protection and an adorable design. How can you go wrong?

Xploder claims that it’s the first to market a cheat system for the Nintendo DSi. From the product’s description Xploder Cheats isn’t like Game Shark where you enter codes to unlock items, characters, places or abilities. It lets users download saves with the cheats already unlocked, so you can fire up Pokemon and “start the game with a full bag of money and lots of items”.

Users download saves at Xploder’s website and then transfer them to their DS using the bundled software and cable. The Xploder website also allows users to upload and share their own saves to other people. Drooling yet? You can get the Xploder Cheats for DSi at Xploder’s online shop for £15 (about $25 (USD)). Xploder Cheats also works with the DS and the DS Lite.

[via Maxconsole]

I doubt it was that simple. At least, I’m sure I couldn’t pull it off. But if you’re hoping for more handy tips at the source, give it up; this nifty little DIY DS cover is the only thing to be found on a new deviantART account, and there’s a lack of detail about the process. As in, there’s none. Feel free to imagine aliens swooped in and drew up the whole project. That’s what I’m going with.

On a serious note, vector art could lead to all sorts of interesting DS designs. Would love to see if anyone had tried something similar!

Well, that’ll sure get your attention when  you’re just flipping past game covers at the store.

Renegade Kid was very free with video and screen shots from the first title, but they have been largely quiet on the sequel thus far. A release date in February was just announced, however, so I’m sure more information will pop up later this year. For now, that cover is enough. If you need me, I’ll be huddling under the covers with all the lights on.

[via GayGamer]

The skins are easy to clean, plus the ones for the Wii and PS3 are coated with “water-proof high glossy laminate film.” PS3 skins are worth $19 (USD), Wii skins are worth $14, and DS & PSP skins sell for $8.50; you can request a custom skin for an additional $10. Browse NoveltyGallery’s shop to see the other designs.

[via geeksugar]

While the originating site is in Japanese and is thus beyond my comprehension, the story here is clear. Above the controls, there’s a touchscreen, which is being used to control a very large version of Rhythm Tengoku Gold. You can play PSP games, too, and hey! It doesn’t even matter that there’s only one joystick per person, am I right?

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

[NicoVideo via TinyCartridge]

Electroplankton, one of the first games available for the Nintendo DS, has remained a standout even among the crowd of musical games that have been released for the DS. Though it has never been widely available, legions of people continue to point to the fishy music title as one of the handheld’s best experiences.

As yet, there are no announcements concerning the release of the Electroplankton apps outside of Japan, but it seems likely that they’ll be forthcoming. It’s not like they’ll be particularly difficult to translate!

[via Siliconera]

Jigsaw puzzles on a console or handheld doesn’t sound that exciting until you factor in the touchscreen capabilities of the DS, and even then, it all depends on sorting the pieces. A game like this has the potential to be really fun, though, and without all the potential mess of a real puzzle.

Looks like you’ll be tilting the screen this way and that pretty often, but that would be par for the course with any jigsaw puzzle game, I think.

[thenintendo via GoNintendo]

This octopus-like knot-o’-gadgets consists of a Nintendo DS Lite running Electroplankon, a new Nintendo DSi with Korg DS-10, both an iPhone and an iPod Touch, and a Kaossilator, all connected through Belkin Rockstar multi-headphone splitter–and they’ve all been put to good use.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You may just be witnessing the next generation music game. Guitar Hero is finished; now it’s gonna be all about Playing Crap Lying Around In My Living Room Hero, and this guy is already a winner.

[GearCrave via 2dayblog]

Oshaberi Oumu for the Nintendo DS continues that tradition by putting the fate of a digital bird in your hands. It’s your job to care for and nurture your avian plaything – feeding it, giving it toys to play with, caressing it and so forth.  Developed by Tokyo’s Star Fish games, there are definitely no starfish in the game, just our fine-feathered friends. And as far as I can tell from these game screenshots, there is no evidence of a hungry cat mode either. Damn.

Here’s a little video clip of the game to give you a better idea of what you can expect should you pick up a copy:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Ah, there’s nothing quite like a video game that makes you change the filthy newspapers at the bottom of a bird cage – all while listening to elevator music. Sign me up! Of course, knowing how short my attention span is when it comes to virtual pets, I’d probably end up with something more like this within the first couple of days:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Now that’s what I call a dead parrot.

The good news is that you don’t have to make your way to Japan if you want to get your hands on this strange little game. The guys over at Play-Asia are taking worldwide orders for the game now for $48.90 (USD) – newspaper and bird seed not included.

Square Enix site members are invited to apply for a chance to check out Blood of Bahamut in mid-May at the Square Enix headquarters in Tokyo, which means there will be loads of impressions available on the Internet the day after.

If you’re concerned about Square Enix doing something new, take heart; it’s not that different. This game will be full of espers you know (and maybe love). This is just taking some of the familiar imagery in a new collection. As for newness… well, considering Square Enix’s last new project was the fantastic The World Ends With You–also a DS title–frankly, I wish they’d stick to new projects for a while!

[Square Enix member site via Siliconera]