Nintendo of America have issued a press release detailing several key 3DS release dates for the rest of 2012 and beyond. The most notable of these are

Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone! - October 1st.
Code of Princess - October 9th.
Skylanders Giants - October 21st.
Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward Oct. 23rd.
Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask - October 28th.
Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations Alive! - November 5th.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star - November 11th.
Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion - November 18th.

Some eShop release dates have also been announced by Nintendo

Pokemon Dream Radar - October 7th.
Sparkle Snapshots 3D - October 18th.

Other eShop games announced for Q4 are Wario land II, Zelda II and Fluidity: Spin Cycle

On a rather sour note though Nintendo has confirmed that Luigis Mansion: Dark Moon has been pushed back to the first half of 2013 in the Americas. The full press release can be read below.

REDMOND, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– From puzzles and mysteries to fashion and photo fun, the diverse lineup of games set to arrive for the hand-held Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL systems during the remainder of 2012 truly has something for everyone. Nintendo today revealed launch dates for several upcoming games, including packaged games that will be available in stores as well as downloadable games and applications that consumers can purchase digitally via the Nintendo eShop. What’s more, the Aug. 19 launch of the Nintendo 3DS XL system will let players enjoy their games on an even larger scale, with screens 90 percent larger than those on the original Nintendo 3DS.

Upcoming games and software for Nintendo 3DS include new installments in several of Nintendo’s fan-favorite franchises as well as great games from third-party partners. Newly dated games on the way include the following (details subject to change):

Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone! (Oct. 1) – Users of any artistic skill level can learn painting and drawing techniques that can be applied to real-life art projects, with optional, additional lessons available for purchase.* The game also lets users share and download certain game content via SpotPass.*
Crosswords Plus (Oct. 1) – More than 1,000 professionally designed crossword puzzles will challenge players at any skill level. They can also receive and share bonus puzzles via StreetPass or connect their Nintendo 3DS to the Internet to receive free additional puzzles via SpotPass.* The game also includes other game play modes such as Wordsearch, Anagrams and the new Word of the Day.
Sparkle Snapshots 3D (Oct. 18) – Launching exclusively in the Nintendo eShop*, this downloadable game is a fun photography application that lets you personalize your 2D photos by adding 3D layers of stickers, ribbons, pens and other effects. Users can then share creations wirelessly with friends or transfer them to an SD card and email them.
Skylanders Giants from Activision Publishing, Inc. (Oct. 21) – Fans can look forward to more than 20 new inter-action figures to collect, including Giants that are twice the size of regular Skylanders and new LightCore Skylanders that light up both in the game and in real life when they are placed on the Portal of Power.
Style Savvy: Trendsetters (Oct. 22) – Players can run their very own full-scale fashion shop and spark a fashion revolution by helping customers keep up with current trends, buying new clothes for their customizable store and sharing their creations with their friends online.*
Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (Oct. 28) – Experienced fans and newcomers to the Professor Layton series can solve dozens of fascinating puzzles as they work their way through a new mystery storyline. Players can even download one additional puzzle per day for 365 days, starting on game launch day, at no additional charge.*
Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! (Nov. 5) – Players can create their own creatures and use them to explore a planet that they customize. Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! contains new features not found in the original downloadable title, such as dungeons to explore, enhanced creating capabilities with more parts to choose from and new special powers that can be used to further personalize the creatures. The game also features Download Play, which allows players to share the creative experience with friends who do not have a copy of the game.
Paper Mario: Sticker Star (Nov. 11) – Nintendo’s classic Paper Mario franchise gets a fresh 3D look in its hand-held debut. Stickers are the backbone of Mario’s newest adventure in which players use stickers found in the game to not only win battles, but to solve puzzles as well.
Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion from Disney Interactive (Nov. 18) – Inspired by the classic Castle of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse, this game features new ways for Mickey Mouse to interact with a 3D game world using paint and paint thinner.
* – wireless Internet access required

“The wide variety of games and applications for Nintendo hand-held systems will put a smile on everyone’s face this holiday season,” said Scott Moffitt, Nintendo of America’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing. “Plus, with a new larger-size version of the Nintendo 3DS, consumers have even more choices. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or just discovering Nintendo systems for the first time, you’ll have more ways to play than ever before.”

Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL users can also look forward to sharing even more of their 3D photos via the online Nintendo 3DS Photo Showcase website at http://photoshowcase.nintendo.com. Galleries filled with fun, eye-popping pictures are updated every week, highlighting the creativity of Nintendo fans and the interactive fun of Nintendo 3DS.

Remember also that Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2 will launch on Oct. 7 for Nintendo DS systems (also playable on Nintendo 3DS in 2D), and Pokémon Dream Radar and Pokédex 3D Pro arrive exclusively in the Nintendo eShop on Oct. 7 and Nov. 8, respectively. Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon will now be available in the first half of 2013 in the Americas.

See the charts below for a partial list of upcoming games and software for hand-held Nintendo systems (details subject to change).

Nintendo 3DS

Publisher Title Available
Activision Publishing, Inc. Angry Birds Trilogy October
Activision Publishing, Inc. Bratz: Fashion Boutique October
Activision Publishing, Inc. Lalaloopsy: Carnival of Friends October
Activision Publishing, Inc. Moshi Monsters Moshlings Theme Park October
Activision Publishing, Inc. Skylanders Giants Oct. 21
Activision Publishing, Inc. TRANSFORMERS PRIME Oct. 30
Activision Publishing, Inc. The Trash Pack October
Activision Publishing, Inc. Wipeout 3 October
Activision Publishing, Inc. Wreck It Ralph October
Aksys Games Localization, Inc. Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward Oct. 23
ATLUS (Index Digital Media, Inc.) Code of Princess Oct. 9
D3Publisher Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game Nov. 20
D3Publisher Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why’d You Steal Our Garbage?! Fall
D3Publisher Ben 10: Omniverse Fall
Disney Interactive Disney Epic Mickey: Power of Illusion Nov. 18
Disney Interactive Disney·Pixar Finding Nemo September
Disney Interactive Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventure September
Electronic Arts FIFA 13 September
GameMill Entertainment Hotel Transylvania Sept. 18
Majesco Entertainment Hello Kitty Picnic October
Maximum Games 50 Classic Games October
Maximum Games American Mensa Academy October
Maximum Games Junior Classic Games October
Maximum Games Jett Tailfin November
Natsume Inc. Harvest Moon: A New Beginning Q4
Nintendo New Super Mario Bros. 2 Aug. 19
Nintendo Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone! Oct. 1
Nintendo Crosswords Plus Oct. 1
Nintendo Style Savvy: Trendsetters Oct. 22
Nintendo Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask Oct. 28
Nintendo Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive! Nov. 5
Nintendo Paper Mario: Sticker Star Nov. 11
SEGA Sonic and All-Stars Racing Transformed Nov. 20
Storm City Entertainment Chevrolet Camaro Wild Ride August
Storm City Entertainment Old Skool Classics September
Storm City Entertainment Word Wizard 3D September
Telegames, Inc. Classic Games Overload: Card and Puzzle Edition November
Ubisoft Rayman Origins Q3
Ubisoft Imagine Babyz Oct. 23
Ubisoft Imagine Fashion Life Oct. 23
Ubisoft Petz Countryside Nov. 6
Ubisoft Rabbids Rumble Holiday
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment LEGO The Lord of the Rings Fall
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Spy Hunter Fall
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Scribblenauts Unlimited Holiday
XSEED Games Unchained Blades Summer

Nintendo eShop

Publisher Game Available
Arc System Works Vector Racing Aug. 23
Endgame Studio Fractured Soul Q3
Gamelion Speed X Q4
Konami Gradius Q4
Konami Mystical Ninja starring Goemon Q3
Nicalis Cave Story Q3
Nicalis Nightsky Q4
Nintendo Pokémon Dream Radar Oct. 7
Nintendo Sparkle Snapshots 3D Oct. 18
Nintendo Pokédex 3D Pro Nov. 8
Nintendo Fluidity: Spin Cycle Q4
Nintendo Wario Land II Q4
Nintendo Zelda II: The Adventure of Link Q4
nnooo Spirit Hunters Inc. Q4
Teyon Crazy Chicken: Pirates 3D Aug. 16
UFO Interactive Johnny Impossible Q3
XSEED Games Unchained Blades Q3

Nintendo DS

Publisher Game Available
2K Play Nickelodeon Bubble Guppies Nov. 1
2K Play Nickelodeon Dora & Team Umizoomi: Fantastic Flight Nov. 1
Activision Publishing, Inc. TRANSFORMERS PRIME Oct. 30
Activision Publishing, Inc. Bratz: Fashion Boutique October
Activision Publishing, Inc. Lalaloopsy: Carnival of Friends October
Activision Publishing, Inc. Moshi Monsters Moshlings Theme Park October
Activision Publishing, Inc. The Trash Pack October
Activision Publishing, Inc. Wreck It Ralph October
D3Publisher Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game Nov. 20
D3Publisher Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why’d You Steal Our Garbage?! Fall
D3Publisher Ben 10: Omniverse Fall
D3Publisher Victorious: Taking the Lead Fall
D3Publisher Winx Club: Magical Fairy Party Fall
GameMill Entertainment Big Time Rush Nov. 6
GameMill Entertainment Hotel Transylvania Sept. 18
Little Orbit Monster High: Skultimate Roller Maze Nov. 13
NAMCO BANDAI Games Inc. THUNDERCATS Sept. 25
Nintendo Pokémon Black Version 2 Oct. 7
Nintendo Pokémon White Version 2 Oct. 7
Scholastic Inc. I SPY Game Pack September
Scholastic Inc. Smart Games for Kids September
Telegames, Inc. Puzzle Overload October
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment LEGO The Lord of the Rings Fall
Remember that Nintendo 3DS features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.

For more information about Nintendo, visit http://www.nintendo.com.

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Whoa! Fluidity sequel for the 3DS? Awesome.

Posted by

canonj

on: 08/13/12, 16:27

You know what 3DS needs more of? Cave Story

Posted by

vids

on: 08/13/12, 16:37

vids said:

You know what 3DS needs more of? Cave Story

Don't say that, before you know it they'll announce a retail download of Cave Story 3D!

I'm a little disappointed that Wario Land II is listed for Q4. I just finished the first one (which was AWESOME and I want more) and not only is the second one already out in Europe, but all three are out in Japan. Maybe I'll just buy the cartridge.

Posted by

rebonack

on: 08/13/12, 17:16

Edited:

08/13/12, 17:17

This holiday actually looks a little underwhelming for the 3DS. I'm really excited about Paper Mario (it's always been my most-anticipated 3DS game), but I've been a little wary of it lately due to the footage implying no EXP, no partners, and no badges (all were some of my favorite things about PM and TTYD). I hope it can recapture the magic of the first two games, because both of those are in my all-time top 30 or so.

Posted by

TriforceBun

on: 08/13/12, 17:16

Where the hell is picross-e? So it seems they are replacing Luigi's Mansion by FreakyForms, Art Academy, Crosswords, etc... meh. Still, Layton, Zero Escape, and Paper Mario are day one buys for me. And I'll probably get Epic Mickey later. I hope the Fluidity game is a sequel and not a port.

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 08/13/12, 18:06

anon_mastermind said:

Where the hell is picross-e?

It just appeared on the European eShop with a "coming soon" listing, so I was hopeful that it would be out here soon as well, but now I'm worried again

Posted by

rebonack

on: 08/13/12, 18:25

Bummed about Luigi, but Paper Mario will be fun...

The overall offerings from 3rd parties are looking a little shovel-warey, unfortunate.

Posted by

deathly_hallows

on: 08/13/12, 18:56

Also hoping for new Fluidity.

The lineup is quite a bit weaker without Luigi, which sucks, but Wii U will keep me more than busy enough, so whatever.

Are Gradius and Goemon handheld VC games? They must be, since Wario Land II is listed in the same section.

Posted by

Anand

on: 08/13/12, 19:20

Definitely:
Prof. Layton 5
Virtue's Last Reward
Code of Princess
NSMB2
Unchained Blades

Maybe:
Epic Mickey 3DS
Paper Mario Sticker Star (eventually for sure)
Spy Hunter
Scribblenauts Unlimited
PKMN White 2

Posted by

Chocobo_Rider

on: 08/13/12, 20:12

Well blerpy--derp, I thought Castlevania was supposed to be this holiday? Man, the 3ds is sorely lacking in good 3rd party stuff. Guess there's Epic Mickey too but geez, not looking to exciting.

Posted by

PabloXl5

on: 08/13/12, 20:17

I hope Fluidity: Spin Cycle isn't simply an enhanced version of the original game. It certainly would've been cool to see it at E3.

Posted by

PogueSquadron

on: 08/13/12, 20:24

Zero Escape, Code of Princess and Epic Mickey for me, for sure.

When is Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate supposed to come out?

Posted by

GameDadGrant

on: 08/13/12, 20:28

@Anand Assuming it's the same version of the game coming out this week in Europe, Goemon is a Game Boy game. Not sure about Gradius, it's probably the NES game, since Zelda II is listed in there as well.

I can't wait for Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward. 999 was so good.

Posted by

rebonack

on: 08/13/12, 20:34

This seems to be a partial list, so Castlevania should still be set for 2012 release.

Posted by

anon_mastermind

on: 08/13/12, 20:36

Layton, Paper Mario and Code of Princess are guaranteed buys for me. Castlevania will be too, but I've always suspected it wasn't coming this year. Epic Mickey is also a guaranteed buy, but if it's release date also happens to be the same day as the Wii U launch as expected, I'll wait a while for it.

Posted by

DeputyVanHalen

on: 08/13/12, 20:36

I will never be rid of this backlog.

Posted by

Marsh

on: 08/13/12, 20:40

No word on the US, but Castlevania is 2013 in Europe. Might be the same here, since it's not on this list...

Posted by

rebonack

on: 08/13/12, 21:00

This makes the choice of whether to get (or ask for) NSMB2 much easier. Paper Mario is the definite.

Posted by

Jargon

on: 08/13/12, 22:04

Glad to hear that Wario Land II is Q4. I wouldn't have been surprised if it were 2013.

Posted by

Secret_Tunnel

on: 08/13/12, 23:49

Hmm, I think it'll all be ok. There are some articles about how this delay means Nintendo is TEH DOOMED for the 3DS over the holidays but I think that is a bit off. For one, NSMB 2 will still be a very, very huge seller come the holidays. For two, Layton, Paper Mario, and Mickey will most likely all sell well too.

For me it will probably be:

New Super Mario Bros. 2
Zero Escape: Virtue’s Last Reward
Paper Mario
Professor Layton
Epic Mickey
Fluidity: Spin Cycle
NightSky (is this actually coming out?!)

Not bad.

Posted by

Zero

on: 08/13/12, 23:55