Nintendo's 3D handheld - less piracy, toggle 3D on/off

Associated Press has had a chat with Nintendo head Satoru Iwata which discusses the company's upcoming 3DS handheld. Rather than going nuts discussing the brave new world of 3D, the the main thrust of the interview was... piracy.

Software theft is a big issue for Nintendo. Iwata concedes the company has "a strong sense of crisis" about the possibility of more and more people thinking paying for software is pointless. To that end Nintendo has jacked up the anti-piracy controls on the 3DS - which may sound like a familiar tune.

The big hook for the handheld will be the ability to perceive games in 3D without wearing naff glasses. That's a pretty strong selling point - but even now Iwata seems to be setting expectations. Players will be able to switch the 3D effect on or off - a concession not only to personal preference but likely also to the yet-to-be-proven-or-disproven medical opinion on whether 3D playback messes with depth perception and/or affects developing kids' eyesight.

Iwata confirmed the handheld will be shown off at this year's E3 games show in Los Angeles in June. We'll be there, checking it out. The 3DS is expected to be on sale within a year.

Nintendo to beef up piracy measures in 3-D machine [AP via Forbes]