But the emergence of its younger, more attractive cousin -- augmented reality (AR) -- in an age when computers are all-pervasive and understanding of them is widespread, means that we might, at long last, be ready to take the plunge.

CNN: Turning virtual visions into reality

Nintendo 3DS comes with six augmented-reality cards, called AR cards.

FORBES: Nintendo Announces 3DS Launch Date, Price

It's called Cast AR, and it's a pair of 3D augmented-reality glasses that she and fellow co-worker Rick Johnson were developing at Valve before leaving.

ENGADGET