Nintendo 3DS charging dock. I mentioned this “charging cradle” last night, and here it is up close. I can’t tell if it’s an induction charger similar to Palm’s Touchstone dock, but it’s possible. Also, check out that face in a place.

I doubt Nintendo will bundle this with the 3DS, as it would increase the price of what will likely be an expensive system — I can’t see the 3DS selling for less than $180, though I’d love to see the company prove me wrong.

Here’s a side view of the charging cradle:

Note the two sliders on the right side of the 3DS; counting the returned volume slider on the other side, that’s three sliders on the system, which seem like overkill to me. I expect (and hope) Nintendo will significantly alter various design elements on the 3DS, as it did for the original DS “Phat” console in between its E3 debut and launch several months later — that’s why we’re not modifying Tiny Cartridge’s design to match the 3DS’s look just yet!

Oh, and there’s always a chance that this dock will never make it to market, like so many other products and concepts Nintendo has shown off at previous E3s.

See also: The God Damn Nintendo 3DS, CTA’s Inductive Charging Pad for Nintendo DSi and DSi XL systems

[Via Npeetz, Inside Games]

tags / nintendo 3ds / e3 / accessories / e3 2010 / dock / charger / ec