First games for Japanese Nintendo 3DS: Sims 3, Nintendogs, Pro Evo and more

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Nintendo has updated its Japanese 3DS line-up, and other publishers are chipping in with their own announcements, in advance of the new console's February 26 launch. Games such as Nintendogs + Cats, The Sims 3, Winning Eleven Soccer and the latest Professor Layton are given the go-ahead.

Among titles earmarked for February 26 are Nintendogs + Cats, Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracles, Puzzle Bobble 3D, Ridge Racer 3D, Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition and Winning Eleven Soccer 3D (aka Pro Evolution Soccer).

Fourteen more have been revealed for the month of March, including The Sims 3, Super Monkey Ball, Splinter Cell 3DS, Asphalt 3D, Blazblue Continuum Shift II and a new Naruto game.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Pilotwings Resort, and Resident Evil 3D: The Mercenaries are part of the group of titles with a spring 2011 timeframe (between March and May), and others such as Kid Icarus: Uprising and Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 3D are expected in summer 2011.

Nintendo is yet to confirm how soon these will be making the transition to other territories but has been keen to improve on the number of early titles available for its 2004 predecessor, the DS.

No doubt all will become clear by January 19, when Nintendo presents its European and North American 3DS launch plans for March.

Meanwhile, rumor suggests that Sony plans to announce its own PSP2 handheld device by the end of January.

Nintendo's 3DS software release calendar: http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/software/index.html