Nintendo releases a bevy of new and old games on its 3DS

Nintendo announced Wednesday that it will be releasing a boatload of new games on its 3DS handheld console.

Not only will there be a host of Super Mario Bros spinoffs, but the game maker also is launching Yoshi's Island, Donkey Kong Country, and The Legend of Zelda series. Based on the games Nintendo is choosing to release, it seems the company is tipping its hat to the Game Boy days of the '90s but tossing in a modern 3D twist.

"Nintendo 3DS and Wii U continue to evolve into some of the best bets in gaming," Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime said in a statement. "We've had an incredible 2013 so far with titles such as Fire Emblem Awakening and Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, and the rest of 2013 and beyond is even better."

Nintendo's 3DS is the company's handheld gaming console that creates 3D images without users needing to wear goofy glasses. The 3D effect in the video game system can be adjusted with a slider, making game characters come more or less to life.

The Legend of Zelda series originally launched in 1986 and was wildly popular. One of Nintendo's new games in this series is set in the world of The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, which launched in 1992. According to the game maker, the 3D abilities of the 3DS will allow for the character Link to "become a drawing and move along walls."

Besides launching new games on its 3DS, Nintendo also said Wednesday that it will soon launch new titles on its Wii U system. Keeping with the '90s theme, the game maker said it will release EarthBound on the Wii U Virtual Console later this year, along with New Super Luigi U.

The games will be available in various months. Nintendo said some will be launched in May and August and others will be ready by the "holiday season."

Updated at 4:50 p.m. PT to clarify that The Legend of Zelda was released in 1986, not 1992.