With the Nintendo 3DS, the Japanese video game company is betting that it can once again nudge mass entertainment in a new direction, just as it did nearly five years ago when it launched the Wii with its innovative motion-based controller.

This time, though, the competition from other devices is tougher.

ChangeWave’s latest consumer survey shows a sudden huge pullback in electronics purchasing by U.S. consumers – the largest one since they began measuring spending trends back in 2002.

Only 19% of survey respondents say they'll spend more on electronics over the next 90 days compared to 33% who will spend less – an unprecedented sign of weakness in this space.