By Chris Pereira, 04/25/2011

Since the story first broke (props to Game Informer on that!), there's been no shortage of rumors that have popped up about the Wii's successor. Nintendo thankfully confirmed the news today and put an end to the speculation about whether a new console announcement was really coming at E3. Now that we know it definitely is coming and that everyone will be able to go hands-on with it, it's time to start speculating about just which rumors are accurate. There's been a lot of talk about a touchscreen-equipped controller, which seems like a lock because it just makes sense, but the particulars about what it will look like and the sort of hardware it will be equipped with are harder to parse through. Personally, I think it'd just be nice if we finally got a Nintendo system capable of playing DVDs.

Today's highlights:

• Wii's inability to surprise gamers spurred Nintendo along to create its new system.
• The PlayStation Network is still down with no sign of a return.
• A credit card scam could be the reason for Sony taking PSN offline.
• "Portal 2 will probably be Valve's last game with an isolated single-player experience."
• A look at the first gameplay video and screens of Phantasy Star Online 2.
• The Infamous 2 beta has been extended.
• Retronauts Live Episode 9 talks Final Fantasy, and details on the next episode.
• The "Farewell, Alice" episode of The Oddcast is live.
• 3DS Games We'll (Probably) Never See
• What Would You Do if You Had Six Days to Live?

And here's what else happened today:

James Cameron Thinks Games Will Help Bring 3D Into the Home

Director James Cameron knows his 3D effects, so when he talks about the subject, it's best to listen. Although they haven't done so yet, he sees videogames as a big driver of 3D televisions. "Videogames are going to help propel the autostereoscopic (glasses free) play because that's going to be the entry level for most people," Cameron said recently. "These single-viewing devices that are engaging the person to play these video games will drive a lot of investment in autostereoscopic displays for that very reason. That technology [i.e. that of the 3DS] will trickle up to the larger 3D displays that will be used for home viewing and gaming." He later added, "Videogames are going to be the drivers, but they haven't done so today because the cycle creation has lagged behind. The consumer electronics companies introduced these screens last year, so we're a year into this and it takes 18 months to two years to author a high quality video game. So you're going to see a stampede of video games and then that, in turn, is just going to catalyze more broad scale adoption in the home of these big 3D screens."

Source (via)

GameStop Confirms it's Not Continuing to Stock DS Lite

Following a report last week, GameStop has confirmed it's indeed no longer stocking the DS Lite. It will instead be focusing on the 3DS, as well as the more recent iterations of the DS, DSi and DSi XL. Nintendo hasn't officially confirmed that the Lite is being discontinued, instead telling media outlets, "Nintendo DS Lite is still available at most retail locations. Consumers will be able to find Nintendo DS Lite without much trouble." The system is still out there, but if you want a new one you had better get it quickly.

Source

3DS Sells 3.61 Million

As a part of Nintendo's financial report today that also brought along news of the Wii's successor, Nintendo announced that the 3DS has sold 3.61 million units to date. It was a tough fiscal Q4 for the company and that figure -- which includes 1.32 million in the Americas -- actually falls short of its goal of 4 million units, though it's still nothing to scoff at. Given the oft-complained about launch lineup, it's actually impressive that it's sold as well as it has and things are sure to pick up as more software becomes available.