Nintendos releasing some pretty hardcore games for the 3DS, introducing games like Street Fighter, Metal Gear, Resident Evil etc. hinting that there trying to tap into that market but would the average consumer start thinking of the 3DS as a hardcore gaming machine?

What do you think, first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the 3DS casual or hardcore, if not hardcore will it ever become a hardcore gaming machine?

Clearly Nintendo are trying to attract both the casual and hardcore gamer with the 3DS. The main selling point behind the hardware, the 3D display, isn't targeted at one or the other and the games aren't either. You have Nintendogs with Street Fighter, Mario Kart with Metal Gear, Pilotwings with Zelda etc etc..

However you could always compare it to other device, in which case:

--HARDCORE METER--

          Sony NGP

      Nintendo 3DS

        iOS Devices

It's a nice middle ground I'd say in terms of its competitors.

I was hoping for a "both" or "in the middle" option but there isn't one.  Anyways, I agree with what puffy states here.

It's like in the middle.

It's positioned to be represented by both genres of games.

I thought the inclusion of games like MGS, RE, SFIV, etc. made it pretty clear that developers are treating it as a serious platform for core IPs.

And naturally since it's Nintendo, more casual fare like Nintendogs, Brain Age, etc. are a given as well.

casual without a doubt, bunch of remakes won't change that :)

Where the hell is the "both" option?

Hooray for the most misconstrued set of words this generation.  Whenever I get the 3DS, I'll be playing bomberman hardcore.

I'll be interested to see how 'serious' the 3rd party support is for the 3DS once the NGP launches.

it's both, DUH. Though admittedly the 3DS caters more to the casuals without sacrificing the "hardcore"