News Blips: 3DS Japanese launch lineup, Nintendo 3DS warnings, Visual Effects Society nominees, and more

On this very special installment of News Blips, we learn about eye fires, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata's lawyer-dodging, and muscular transvestites.

News Blips:

Nintendo announces Japanese launch lineup for the 3DS. Over the weekend, Nintendo World 2011 provided a chance for Japan to get intimate with the new 3D handheld and its announced lineup of launch titles:

I don't want to speak for everybody, but c'mon, Nintendo, where are Zelda: Ocarina of Time and Kid Icarus? Perhaps -- and this is pure speculation -- Nintendo is afraid they won't be able to meet the demand for the 3DS at launch, so they're saving their big guns for when there is enough hardware. Hey, but Street Fighter will be in 3D. Maybe now that Cammy has depth perception, she'll be able to find that wedgie that has been bothering her for the last ten years.

The 3DS will sport a slew of warnings about the use of 3D among young children, but Nintendo President and CEO Satoru Iwata insists they are a legal measure to thwart litigation. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Iwata said that this doesn't mean that the systems are dangerous to the eyes but that litigation could be dangerous to Nintendo's wallet. They want to avoid being sued, and the best way to do that is provide as much information as possible up front. Although if this means that I have to sit through 25 minutes of splash screens warning about little kids' eyes, I say screw it -- let their eyes catch on fire. [Andriasang]

The Visual Effects Society has announced their nominees for film, TV, and video games. With awards like Outstanding Visual Effects in a Real-Time Video Game and Outstanding Animated Character in a Video Game, the VES awards are among the most forward-thinking of the Hollywood unions. Video games even reached beyond the strict video-game categories, with Halo: Reach, World of Warcraft, and Dante's Inferno all getting nominations for their television advertisements. Check out the full list on Ain't It Cool News.

Wesley Snipes is working on a game while serving a prison sentence for tax evasion. Yes, the most ripped of the transvestites in To Wong Foo Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar is developing a game from prison. The game is Julius Styles: The International and is being developed for iOS devices with ports for Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, and Android planned for later release. "Julius Styles will offer something for both the mind-game strategist and the kick-ass special ops warrior lover," Snipes persumably whispered from behind his cell's bars. The imprisoned actor will also portray Julius Styles in a film that is scheduled to begin shooting in 2013 -- earlier if he behaves himself. Nowif you don't mind, I'm going to make everyone watch To Wong Foo for Bitmob movie night. [IGN]

Got any hot news tips? Send 'em over to [email protected].

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Daniel Feit

January 10, 2011

It's a mighty underwhelming launch line-up, let me tell you. I can only assume Iwata's comments are true and they have a plan to "pace themselves" with good game releases. Still, I'm probably buying one next month if for no other reason than to replace my ailing DS Lite.

Rakim Reid

January 11, 2011

@ Daniel I agree with you. The launch lineup isn't very impressive. I do like the idea of Nintendo trying to pace their game releases, however; the Gamecube and Wii had too many gulfs with no major game releases. I also plan to buy one, just waiting on a price and release date.