LG has thrown itself into the gaming phone market with the launch of the Optimus 3D, along with a raft of games from top mobile developer Gameloft. 

The phone launched in Carphone Warehose and some Best Buy stores last week, but is available widely as of today. It is also being rolled out in markets around the world. 

The Optimus 3D uses stereoscopic 3D technology to deliver 3D graphics without glasses on its 4.3-inch screen. It can also shoot 720p HD footage and share the footage to a 3D TV via a HDMI-out socket. 

“Todays smartphones have the horsepower to compete with the best portable gaming devices and LG Optimus 3D is our proof,” says Dr Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “We think 3D is the natural next step in portable entertainment and LG is eager to throw its hat in the ring with the Optimus 3D and Gamelofts must-be-seen-to-be-believed titles.”

The phones comes with three stereoscopic 3D Gameloft titles pre-installed, with more available for download. The pre-installed games are Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, N.O.V.A. – Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance and Lets Golf! 2. 

“The most recent data shows iOS and Android devices are capturing a growing part of the portable gaming market by revenue,” says Michel Guillemot, president of Gameloft. “With the next generation of smartphones offering 3D capabilities, the bar has been raised to a new height. On the Optimus 3D, were able to offer our most popular titles to an entirely new audience at very competitive price points.”

LG says it will launch software in the autumn that converts 2D games into 3D.