Today, Ubisoft announced that it will support the upcoming launch of the Nintendo 3DS with the release of eight games in the first half of calendar year 2011. A recognized pioneer on new platforms, Ubisoft is taking advantage of the stereoscopic 3D and other innovative features of Nintendo’s new handheld console to develop a diverse lineup of games. Ubisoft’s Nintendo 3DS lineup includes new intellectual properties as well as original renditions of some of its most popular franchises such as Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell®, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon and Rayman.

To view all of the screenshots for all the Ubisoft 3DS games, click on through…

“Ubisoft is a leader in developing innovative content for Nintendo platforms and we’re thrilled to continue that tradition, offering numerous titles for all audiences out of the gate for the Nintendo 3DS,” said Yves Guillemot, chief executive officer at Ubisoft. “Ubisoft’s creative teams have developed a rich and diverse line-up of games that take advantage of the amazing innovations that Nintendo has designed with its new handheld platform.”

Ubisoft’s history of originality on Nintendo platforms includes the Wii™ multi-million selling franchises Just Dance, Rabbids, Red Steel, and the best-selling Nintendo DSTM franchises Imagine and Petz.

Ubisoft games that will be available in the first half of 2011 for the North American and European launch of the Nintendo 3DS include:

Asphalt 3D: Developed by Gameloft and published by Ubisoft, Asphalt 3D brings all the excitement and speed of the Asphalt franchise to stereoscopic 3D, featuring more than 40 licensed vehicles, 17 exotic track locations and complete StreetPass™ functionality.

Combat of Giants Dinosaurs 3D: This 3D take on the popular kids’ franchise mixes exploration and customization with real-time combats. Players ages 7 to 10-years old will be immersed into a cataclysmic universe and live the ultimate 3D fighting experience.

Driver Renegade: The first and exclusive action driving game on the Nintendo 3DS that lets the player experience the intensity and brutality of urban car chases in 3D. Players will embody the Driver series hero John Tanner and use the accelerometer to unleash their urban driving skills.

James Noir’s Hollywood Crimes: A brand new intellectual property developed exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS, James Noir’s Hollywood Crimes makes the player the main character in a mind-twisting puzzle adventure taking place in an interactive 3D world, with 150 puzzles and mind games to solve.

Rabbids Travel in Time: Rabbids are bwaaaaaack and this time they have an infallible plan to invade the human world: conquer history in their first platform adventure developed exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS.

Rayman 3D: One of the most popular franchises of all time lands on Nintendo 3DS with an outstanding platform experience that will take advantage of the Nintendo 3DS specifications with impressive graphics, stunning 3D effects and full use of the Circle Pad. An adaptation of the acclaimed Rayman 2 original game on Dreamcast, Rayman 3D will feature major updates on key game play elements such as accessibility, progression and learning curve.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Shadow Wars: The first tactical, turn-based Ghost Recon game, featuring eye-popping 3D cut scenes and in-game effects, deep team management options and a 1vs1 multiplayer mode on the same console.

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 3D: Sam Fisher is back in this masterpiece of the stealth/action genre, mixing the tension and realism that makes the essence of the franchise with unprecedented immersion and accessibility thanks to the stereoscopic 3D and innovative controls of the Nintendo 3DS.