According to a Wednesday report in Nikkei newspaper, the Kyoto, Japan-based Nintendo will be introducing a new 3-D version of its DS handheld – the 3DS, as it being called for the time being.

The Nikkei report revealed that the 3DS will feature two 4-inch screens, a 3D joystick and probably also an accelerometer so as to ensure that the device reacts to tilting. In addition, there will also be a couple of other enhancements - in wireless networking speed and battery life.

Scheduled to hit the markets within a year, the Nintendo 3DS would reportedly offer 3-D images which will not require the use of the special glasses that have thus far been associated with 3-D – it will achieve the 3-D form by superimposing a lens on the 3DS screen.

Though Nintendo introduced the 3DS handheld – which will offer support for the older DS as well as DSi titles - on Tuesday, it refrained from giving any details about the device, leaving them for the June-scheduled E3 Expo video game show in Los Angeles.

With the Nintendo 3-D apparently reflecting the company’s endeavors to stay ahead of competition in the 3-D devices arena, Nintendo spokesman Ken Toyoda told the New York Times: “We wanted to give the gaming industry a head's-up about what to expect from Nintendo at E3. We'll invite people to play with the new device then.”