Nintendo: 3DS will 'really take off' in 2013

The 3DS is poised to have a banner year in 2013 thanks to a compelling lineup of software, according to Nintendo director of product marketing Bill Trinen. Speaking with GameSpot today, the developer said Nintendo portables in the United States have historically taken a few years to see sales pick up, but when a solid pipeline of software is in place, the systems can really take off.

"We have noticed that in the US in particular, people tend to, at least when it comes to handheld gaming, they tend to shift generations a lot more slowly than they do particularly in Japan," Trinen said. "In Japan, once a new handheld system comes out it's like everybody just goes right to it."

"GameBoy Advance was the same way; DS was the same way; 3DS now. It does take a couple of years," he added. "But then once it does, it really builds steam and so with the lineup that we're seeing this year, to me it really feels like this is the year that 3DS is really going to take off."

As of December 31, Nintendo has sold nearly 30 million 3DS units and almost 85 million pieces of software worldwide. Those figures are well behind the original DS, which has sold over 150 million hardware units and 930 million games to date.

During a Nintendo Direct presentation today, Nintendo announced a slew of new 3DS titles, including a Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past sequel, a new Mario Party game, and an all-new Yoshi's Island title.

Nintendo also confirmed today that Bravely Default: Flying Fairy and a new Professor Layton game will launch on 3DS in 2014.