The Nintendo 3DS has seen its hardware sales rise to the heavens in Japan, but not so much elsewhere the rest of the world. To help boost sales, Nintendo will release Pokemon X and Pokemon Y, the first "proper" mainline games for the handheld, worldwide in October 2013. The announcement was made recently in a special Pokemon-themed Nintendo Direct presentation.

The sprite look is gone, and battles will be in glorious 3D. Three new starters include Fennekin (fire), Froakie (water) and Chespin (grass). There are also two new legendaries to seek out.

We all knew a mainline Pokemon game was coming, and the wait for confirmation is finally over. Nintendo's not messing around, either, releasing these very likely multimillion sellers around the world in October, just in time for the 2013 holiday season. Expect 3DS hardware sales to reflect those from the 2011 holidays, when Nintendo had the double-headed beast of Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 providing a major boost to 3DS sales. This past holiday, New Super Mario Bros. 2 and Paper Mario: Sticker Star just didn't seem to catch fire, at least from looking at November sales figures.

Also expected out this year in North America is Animal Crossing: New Leaf, which has took Japan by storm. Animal Crossing plus Pokemon for the holidays? That's a winning combination for the 3DS.

Also, #TeamFennekin.

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