What happens in Vegas will hopefully be released outside of Vegas come March 2011

The annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas is the place to be if you're looking to see the bleeding edge of gadgets and gizmos. From what would become Kinect to a plethora of hyper-thin televisions, if you've got it you flaunt it.

With the upcoming 3DS handheld, Nintendo's got it, and for the first time in 16 years, Nintendo will be in attendance as an exhibitor. To flaunt it, presumably.

CES 2011 will be held Jan. 6-9 in Las Vegas. If you ask us, that would seem like a really good time and place to announce North American, if not worldwide, release information for the 3DS. That's pure speculation on our part, of course, but considering the handheld is supposed to hit in March and no firm date or price already set, Nintendo is running out of months to wheel those details out.

The last time the company attended was in 1994 when showing off Silicon Graphics hardware to be used in their upcoming "Project Reality," better known now as the Nintendo 64. Check out a (very) brief tech demo from that show, and right below you'll find the full press release. Right below that is our comments section where we'd like to hear what you think they're bringing to Vegas.

2011 CES Gaming Showcase Features Latest in Gaming Technologies
Nintendo Returns to CES; Other Gaming Exhibitors Include AMD, HP, Intel, Lenovo, LevelUp, Logitech, Microsoft, Nokia, Sony and More

ARLINGTON, Va., Nov 22, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The 2011 International CES(R), the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow, will feature the hottest innovations in gaming hardware and software. More than 35 exhibitors will display the latest gaming technology advancements in the 2011 CES Gaming Showcase. The International CES will return to Las Vegas from January 6-9, 2011.

Exhibitors will present their products across 9,800 square feet within the Gaming Showcase. Located in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Gaming Showcase will feature advancements in online gaming and gaming-related product debuts in both hardware and software -- from online PC and HD gaming, plasma HDTV to surround sound and power conditioning hardware. Nintendo returns as an exhibitor to CES for the first time in 16 years.

"With the gaming market expected to generate $20.3 million in 2010, the International CES is the must-stop hub for innovative gaming products, and will allow CES attendees to experience the future of gaming from an amazing range of innovative companies," said Karen Chupka, senior vice president, events and conferences, CEA. "The Gaming Showcase at CES will feature the hottest gaming trends for the coming year.

Major gaming exhibitors include: AMD, HP, Intel, Lenovo, LevelUp, Logitech, Microsoft, Nintendo, Nokia, Sony and more. Publishers and developers will also be in attendance, including: Alcazar Entertainment, Cosmi, DC Comics/Warner and DreamWorks Animation. Furthermore, key retailers like Amazon.com, Best Buy and GameStop will also attend the 2011 CES.

[source marketwatch.com]