Nintendo is prepping a new 3DS Super Mario title for its next fiscal year, which begins in April. Interestingly, the title will mark a return to the franchise roots a la New Super Mario Bros., with traditional side-scrolling gameplay set on a 2D plane.

The tidbit was revealed in a recap of its third-quarter financial results briefing. Notably, the effort joins several other key titles destined for 3DS later this year, including Paper Mario, Luigi’s Mansion 2, Heroes of Ruin, Bravely Default, and Mario Tennis.

No further details were spared, though we’d wager a bet that it will make an appearance at E3 later this year. Nintendo hopes its broad software lineup will position 3DS as the dominant mainstream platform.

Here is the latest weekly update for you folks either on Nintendo 3Ds or Nintendo Wii. Click on the link to be forwarded to each titles profile page on Nintendo.com.

Nintendo eShop 
Blaster Master: Enemy Below - Using the strong weapons and high jumping power of his legendary battle vehicle, Jason must explore a subterranean region where a sinister life form resides. (For Nintendo 3DS™)

Nintendo eShop / Nintendo DSiWare™
Elite Forces: Unit 77 - Drive armored trucks and tanks, defuse mines, locate explosives and rescue hostages. Gather your forces into a crack squad or control a single game character based on the strategic requirements. (For Nintendo 3DS /Nintendo DSi™)

Check out more after the break.

more »

According to a Wired report, Mario and Zelda creator Shigeru Miyamoto is stepping down from his current position at Nintendo. He plans on staying at the company, albeit in more of an advisory role. Miyamoto wants to focus on smaller projects, rather than big-budget productions that require multiple years of development time.

“What I really want to do is be in the forefront of game development once again myself,” explained Miyamoto. more »

Joining Best Buy, retailer Target wants to push lots of Nintendo 3DS hardware this holiday season, offering up a $50 gift card with the purchase of any standalone 3DS unit. The deal goes into effect tomorrow through the 10th across all US stores, according to an ad flyer posted on its site. more »

Nintendo 3DS momentum is strong, with sales on the verge of eclipsing the 3 million unit mark according to Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata. At the current rate, the milestone will be hit two weeks faster than its predecessor, the DS.

Additionally, Nikkei reports (translated by Andriasang) that Mario Kart 7 has sold an upwards of 420,000 units in Japan — nearly double that of the DS iteration. It would seem that bustling 3DS sales, combined with key software launches have pushed Nintendo back onto the road to profitability, despite posting a financial loss earlier this year. Iwata expects the firm to make a recovery financially in the next fiscal term.

Alright here’s one that strikes the funny bone. In the wake of last week’s announcement that the fiscal year ending in March 2012 will see the company post it’s first annual loss since 1981 Mr. Iwata has gone on to clarify, among other things, some of the company’s strategies in dealing with the 3DS this holiday season during a Q&A session.

Here is the interesting tidbit:
more »

Yet another system color will soon join the growing 3DS family in Japan – Ice White. Joined by Aqua Blue, Cosmo Black and Flare Red and Misty Pink, the two-toned design sports a black top complemented by a shade of white. The result is one sleek portable, very Apple-like.

Nintendo announced today that it’s due for a November 3 debut in the region, carrying a 15,000 yen ($192) price point. Officially, no plans are on the roadmap for a stateside release — yet.

Capcom’s pinned a February 7 release date on Resident Evil Revelations. Straying away from the action-centric formula depicted in RE5, Revelations is a more traditional take on the franchise, promising to deliver an “exceptional survival horror experience” in portable form.

Those who pre-order a copy at GameStop will receive a Resident Evil Revelations 3DS case with an image that changes appearance in the sunlight.

Plot-wise, the title bridges the gap between events that occured in Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5. Fan favorites like Jill Valentine and Chris Redfield make a return, joined by BSAA members Parker Luciani and Jessica Sherawat on their search to uncover the truth behind the Veltro terrorist organization and T-Abyss virus outbreak.

Haven’t forgotten about Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney, have you? The Level 5-developed mashup was announced last year as a 3DS format exclusive, and we’ve been longing for another look at it since.

This TGS trailer gives us look at actual gameplay. It’s certainly a step up visually from past Ace Attorney entries, spiffy 3D models and all. The clincher? A US release still isn’t set in stone — but considering the cult hit status both brands have over here, we’re feeling hopeful.

SCEJ president Hiroshi Kawano has went on record to say that the company does not consider 3DS a competitor to Vita internally.

Kawano told Reuters Japan (via Andriasang) that the Vita’s look and price point significantly differentiate it from that of Nintendo’s offering. While he agrees there will be some overlap, he does not expect those buying both portables to compare the two.

Moreover, Kawano isn’t feeling threatened by smartphones either. His rationale is that gaming on smartphones is a “bonus,” not fully appreciated as a core value like it is on Vita.

SCEJ plans to ship 500,000 Vita units in Japan initially — and Kawano is expecting the shipment to sell out quickly, thanks in a part to a NTT Docomo prepaid plan offer for the first 500K 3G units.

Vita launches December 17 in the region. A North American and Europe release is slated for early next year.