JAPANESE CONSOLE MAKER Nintendo has announced the successor to its popular DS games system, which will offer 3D gaming without the need for glasses.

After what seems like months of hype, the E3 Expo saw Nintendo reveal what it calls the 'Nintendo 3DS' that comes with a 3.53-inch top screen and a 3.02-inch bottom touchscreen.

To achieve the 3D effect it has three cameras, one inner and two outer, which deliver the 3D effect and take 3D pictures.

But a games system is obviously nothing without games, and some of the famous Nintendo franchises are being previewed on the 3DS at E3, such as Kid Icarus, Mario Kart, Nintendogs, Pilotwings, Animal Crossing, Mario and excitingly the return of Starfox.

There are also third-party games on display in DJ Hero, Resident Evil Revelations, Sims 3, Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater 3D, Ridge Racer, Kingdom Hearts and the feminist-baiting beat-em-up Dead or Alive.

Electronic Arts is also expected to push its FIFA and NFL games to the 3DS in the future, as is Square with a Final Fantasy franchise game, as well Tecmo with an intriguing-sounding Ninja Gaiden game.

Nintendo genius Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Super Mario 64, knows a thing or two about 3D worlds and said, "The additional dimension of depth in 3D makes it easier for players to judge distances, while giving developers a new tool to create games and experiences that play with both height and depth." µ