<p>Some online stores are now letting people pre-order New Nintendo 3DS cover plates themed upon upcoming Wii U-exclusive Splatoon.</p><p>As Nintendo UK tweeted, they'll be available in Europe in July, so they're definitely legit.</p><p>That's more unusual than you might think. Other Wii U games don't have 3DS cover plates, so why does Splatoon?</p><p>The likely answer is simply that Nintendo figured that New 3DS owners would think these cover plates cool and want to buy them.</p><p>But perhaps there's more to it than that. Maybe Nintendo has something Splatoon-related planned for the New 3DS.</p><p>As Hardcore Gamer points out, there are Splatoon amiibos on the way, and the New 3DS can support them.</p><p>And if you think that Splatoon's online functionality might be a problem for the New 3DS, think again. We have online fights in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS, after all.</p><p>That said, it's unlikely that a game made specifically for Wii U would come to New 3DS.</p><p>But there's certainly a chance that Nintendo would want to expand the franchise on its new handheld console. Even if it's a mini-game or something special with the amiibos.</p>...