For those of you who are wondering about that “Nintendo Network” logo which appeared on a dummy box for Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, it’s certainly a reality and it has now become official. The Nintendo Network is the new name for the company’s online service on the 3DS and it will also be available on the Wii U after it arrives late this year.

The new service will be different from their existing Nintendo Wi-Fi connection services. According to company head honcho Satoru Iwata, the network will offer “competitions and communication among users, as well as the sales of digital content“. They are planning to offer retail games for sale via digital download and add-on content will be available as well.

Iwata revealed that the 3DS already has the infrastructure built into it. “This concept was built into the design of the Nintendo 3DS, and we already have the necessary infrastructure“, he said, “We will prepare the same infrastructure for the Wii U. However, we have not decided the concrete timing of when we will start it“.

As for the Wii U, the service will enable multiple personal user accounts per system, which will finally end their policy of tying software purchases to a single system.

It’s certainly a good thing that Nintendo is finally thinking seriously about the internet. What do you think?

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Think about the ramifications. We’re already used to playing retro hits (via the Virtual Console) and smaller games (as WiiWare), but the “full blown app store” for the Wii U may have a separate section with apps for the controller. This means you can carry that controller around the house and use it like how you would an iPad, Galaxy Tab, or Kindle Fire. It could have email, web browsing, Twitter, and basic media enjoyment. These apps are meant to go beyond “just” video games, though when you’re ready to game, it can do that too, of course.

Games on tablets and smartphones are biting into Nintendo’s profits, so why not bite back by offering smartphone and tablet-like apps right back to its marquee home gaming console? The Wii U is expected to launch later this year.

While the 3DS has yet to prove itself as a runaway success like the DS before it, there are certainly some great features to Nintendo’s newest handheld. The device has a no-glasses 3D screen and has a 3D augmentation technology for really putting you in ‘the game’.

Outside of its more recognized features there are also some less exciting options such as taking photos. While photography might not be the most exciting feature of the 3DS, a new update has added video footage to the mix.

While taking video on a 3DS might not really seem worthy of a post here, what makes it interesting is that the video footage is actually in 3D.  Of course you can only take 10 minutes of continuous 3D video footage. The update also allows recording in stop-motion mode. Imagine using your 3DS to make a 3D clay animation video.Right now its also not clear if and how you can export these videos to another source outside of your 3DS.

While certainly not a feature that ‘sells’ the 3DS, it is still a pretty neat update for those who already own Nintendo’s hardware or were already strongly considering the device. For a full list of what the new update brings, outside of video, check out the CNET update link we’ve included.

You would think that Nintendo, the company that effectively invented the D-pad nearly 30 years ago without making any monumental changes since then, would have perfected this technology. Unfortunately, we’re hearing that the buttons on the D-pad are prone to “warping.” Taking a look around the Internet, you’ll find many photos of the d-pad starting to have its paint peel or bubble up.

So, it’s the paint. It’s not like the d-pad is any less effective and, for the majority of games on the 3DS, you’re not really using the D-pad anyhow. The analog stick above it seems fine and you’ll likely be using that more anyhow… unfortunately, we’re also hearing about a “black screen of death” issue where the console crashes and demands a restart.

For Nintendo, this just adds salt to the wounds. Sales aren’t what they expected (hence the price drop), Wii sales are slumping, and more people are turning to smartphone gaming than dedicated handhelds like the 3DS.

There’s no denying that the Nintendo 3DS is one innovative piece of gaming hardware. Glasses-free 3D for the masses? That’s pretty cool. Unfortunately, at $250, it was just too expensive. Nintendo has now recognized that and they’re cutting the MSRP down to a more affordable $169.99. That’s better, but is it good enough?

The new price is set to take effect on August 12, but where does that leave the people who already bought the system? They’ll feel ripped off, right? Maybe not. Nintendo is offering 20 free downloadable games from the Nintendo eShop, so long as they log into the eShop once before midnight eastern time on August 11. That consists of 10 GBA and 10 NES Virtual Console titles. It’s up to you to decide whether those 20 games are worth $80 to you.

I’ve wanted a Nintendo 3DS  since I’ve always been a Nintendo fanboy, but I’m having a harder time justifying the purchase. That said, I spotted the 3DS on sale for $200 in the Best Buy flyer. So, if I pick that up today, I can still get those 20 “free” games for an effective price of $30. I’d want to know what games they were before taking the plunge, though, since the NES and GBA are filled with both gems and bombs.

If you really wanted to get a Nintendo-flavored hit of gaming on your Droid or iPhone, you could have already nabbed an SNES emulator and a few ROMs, but that’s hardly official. Well, that’s changing and I think some pigs may have just grown wings: Nintendo is finally developing for both Android and iOS.

This comes as quite the shocker, really, considering that Nintendo’s previous position had been an adamant avoidance of platforms that “competed” against its own DS line (and Game Boy before that). I guess the tides are changing. Maybe Shiggy, Iwata-san, and Reggie are finally seeing the smartphone-tinted light.

The official foray into Android and iOS for Nintendo is an app called Pokemon Say Tap?. As expected, it does the Pokemon thing, but it combines card game and rhythm game elements. I’m not so interested in seeing Pokemon on iOS and Android as I am in seeing Nintendo finally giving these platforms a shake. Should we expect to see Kirby, Mario, Samus, Link, Star Fox, and others soon?

Maybe not. Nintendo has officially iterated that while it has now jumped into iOS and Android, its overall strategy on developing games for smartphones, “hasn’t changed and won’t change.”

What if riding a stationary bike didnt involve you just watching TV or reading a magazine. What if it was some kind of  game with computer graphics and rosters, timers, and all kinds of other neat computerized stuff, then exercising should make be more fun, right?

Bigben Interactive, a company that specializes in peripheral devices, is set to take the market with what may end up being the first Nintendo Wii exercise accessory that “>isn’t a crappy toy. Now maybe getting fit will become your favorite hobby? The company’s Cyberbike Magnetic Edition, started shipping in North America this week. The Cyberbike Cycling Sports game will be packaged with the bike, and sold online via ToysRUs.com and Amazon.com “>for $199.99. As long as you don’t weigh over 286 pounds, you can pedal your way to fitness. The game and bike cost more than the Wii console, but does it cost enough to ensure the bike won’t fall apart after the first game? It connects via the GameCube port on the Wii and is compatible with all Wii games playable with a GameCube controller, like our favorite; Mario Kart. What’s especially cool how they built-in the d-pad and analog sticks so you can probably play other games while your riding if the bike games suck. We think Roadrash on bikes would be the real hot seller with Wii clubs and shotguns for your friends.