Nintendo is one of the few, refreshing companies 
that constantly surprises you.
As Apple was mounting its assault on the portable gaming space, the Kyoto-based company threw gamers a curve, announcing plans for a new handheld system that would allow users to see images in stereoscopic 3D without the need for special glasses. It was a risky move, but it seems to be one that will pay off.
With increasing competition from Apple, and a customer 
base that’s more price-conscious than ever, Nintendo has a lot riding on the 3DS.
The new handheld device, which launches Sunday, represents a leap of faith on the publisher’s part. With cheap and free games available on so many other platforms, will eye-popping effects and the lure of the strongest collection of franchises in the video game industry be enough to keep consumers interested?
Forget Xbox vs. PlayStation. In the videogame
industry, the biggest brewing battle these days is the one between traditional developers and the new breed — those who specialize in Facebook and iPhone titles.
While social networking games and mobile gaming apps are still dwarfed financially by franchises like “Halo” and “Call of Duty,” they’re stealing eyeballs — and talent — from the console world. And, according to some high-ranking execs, they’re putting the future of the industry at risk.
Over the past year or so, Nintendo has taken a fairly 
predictable approach in its reaction to the rise of app-based gaming. The bite-sized titles, company officials would say nonchalantly whenever asked, could be a fun diversion, but didn’t compare to the deeper experience of the more feature-rich games on its mobile devices.
These days, the company sounds a lot more concerned.
Nintendo is expanding the multimedia 
functions of the 3DS — and bringing a familiar face to the platform.
The company announced that it is working on a new Super Mario game for its latest handheld system, with the development team behind the successful Super Mario Galaxy titles leading the charge. Also, U.S. owners will be able to stream Netflix films to the device starting this summer.
Hollywood is coming to 
Nintendo.
The game giant announced Wednesday that U.S. owners of its upcoming 3DS console will be able to stream movies to the device via Netflix starting this summer. And users will also be able to watch 3D trailers for upcoming Hollywood features.
Panasonic finally saw the Jungle
for the trees.
The consumer electronics company has abandoned its plans to create a handheld gaming device – which was codenamed ‘Jungle’ – that would have focused on massively-multiplayer online games for the portable audience.
Panasonic is headed back 
to the city.
The consumer electronics giant has stopped development on its handheld gaming system that was code-named Jungle “due to changes in the market and in [the company’s] strategic direction”.
Nintendo’s latest handheld 
is a hit in its home country.
A big hit.
The Nintendo 3DS went on sale Saturday in Japan and has already virtually sold out throughout most the country, with more than 371,000 units reportedly purchased in the first two days. That puts the system on a faster sales track than the indomitable Nintendo DS, according to some calculations.
With its next generation portable system 
looming, Sony is giving the PSP one last moment in the spotlight. Effective this Sunday, the company will cut the retail price of its portable gaming system by $40, from $170 to $130.
The move not only lets Sony access a new audience with the PSP, it lets the company get out in front of the launch of the Nintendo 3DS, which will hit shelves on March 27.
Chris Morris: Journalist 