Geez, man.  Just go ahead and admit you've never seen a 3DS already.  If this is your perception of the 3DS, then no wonder you're making threads like this.

Why not ask people that have actually played one?  Why not ask if the 3D creates a more measured sense of depth perception?   Why not ask if the games feel enhanced by the increase in depth perception?  Why not look at the possible gameplay elements added depth can generate? 

The games would be nothing without the gimmick. Mario Kart Wii without the Wii Wheel is just another Mario Kart game. The N64 and Gamecube each had one of those and look how they ended up.

Nintendogs on 3DS without 3D is just Nintendogs with better graphics. That won't attract people to the system.

But Nintendogs on 3DS with dogs jumping out of the screen to lick you? Hell, I'D buy that.

Don't understimate the power of the gimmick.

I wrote "unlikely", didn't I?

But again, even if it is, that's not enough to justify the price. All of you thinking this somehow adds more to the system than a second touchscreen or motion controls (and I'm including Nintendo, other developers, and you all on this board) really don't get how those other things actually added to those games. You all just seem to see them as gimmicks, but since this is a gimmick you like, you can't consider that it might not work.

This is the same crap that was spewed about HD a few years ago. Everyone behind it would not accept that the mainstream might not care about it, or those that did would realize it doesn't actually make films or TV shows any better (sports are an exception as the details really are too small to properly show in SD). And it turned out streaming video caught on (netflix has 20% of at least the US internet traffic), because it's more convenient, not because of increased picture quality.

1. You think people only bought it because of the wheel? The DS version had as much as the GC and N64 versions, and still sold loads more. It might just be because there was something in those versions people wanted more. Also, what do you mean "how those ended up"? Do you mean the system sales? Those didn't happen because of Mario Kart. And if you mean the games, they still sold loads. The 64 game even started the trend of copying the series more often than Italian filmmakers ripped off Jaws.

2. They're including cats. Did you not know that? If that was the only thing, it doubtful they would have done this.

3. No, you stop overestimating it. Gimmicks just gets attention. Quality sustains attention. And you're still assuming the Wii and DS used gimmicks, not enhancers, as that is the context of what you are writing.

This will only happen if 3D is a gimmick that slowly becomes unpopular and Nintendo has an urgent need to cut costs.

Mario Kart DS sold better than previous games because of the expanded audience. The same audience that Nintendo got the "attention" of with GIMMICKS. DING DING DING.

Nintendo is trying to get people's attention with glasses-free 3D. People who would otherwise have no interest in the system. It's something new and amazing. Something that will have people talking. This is what you have to keep offering in this industry to stay on top.

To be honest, I don't think there's any chance of a 3D-less 3DS.

It would be called 2DS. I don't think it will happen though..

That's ridiculous! It's in the name!

See? You wrote it in the first line. Why would they scrap the "3D" in "3DS". Doesn't make sense at all.

It would be called 2DS then. Better yet, DS2. Wooho!