After the revelation from Sony that PS3 games will run on its new handheld NGP without any modifications to graphics, Traveller's Tales has shown off the first direct Wii to 3DS port.

Admittedly, this isn’t quite as impressive a technological feat, since the Wii’s processing and graphical power is considerably weaker than Sony’s home console's.

But as an indication of what’s achievable on Nintendo’s latest gizmo, Nick Ricks’s presentation of Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game on 3DS at GDC could be significant.

Common assets

Ricks revealed during the demo that his team had used the assets from the Wii version to recreate Captain Jack Sparrow in the portable edition.

The TT Games producer suggested that the 3DS has "roughly the same power as a Wii", with improved lighting effects.
Lego Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game for 3DS WILL differ from its Wii counterpart in a trio of noticeable ways; firstly, by shifting at 60 fps in 2D mode and 30 fps in 3D.

Meanwhile, collectible items will pop out at the player - taking advantage of the 3DS’s stereoscopic screen - and StreetPass integration will allow for background rock-paper-scissor battles on the fly.

The 3DS launched last weekend in Japan to huge demand. It will be released in the UK and US later this month.

[source: Siliconera]