Nintendo 3DS release date and price revealed

The Nintendo 3DS release date and price has finally and officially been confirmed and well, the news is but bittersweet (if you was someone like me who was hoping for a Christmas release) but at least now we definitely know more concrete details about Nintendo’s latest portable system.

First, let’s get the details announced by Nintendo on the 3DS, courtesy of Edge Online:

Nintendo’s 3DS is to release in Japan on February 26 for 25,000 yen (£189 / $299).

The company said in a statement that its overseas subsidiaries will make announcements regarding specific launch details at a later date. Nintendo of Europe told us this morning that the system will release in March 2011, while media reports suggest the same launch timeframe for the US.

The platform holder said that the 3D-enabled, backwards compatible handheld will be available in two colours upon release, Aqua Blue and Cosmo Black.

So even those looking to buy early via import will have to wait around five months before you can get your hands on one and considering that delivery will be at best a week, that means you’d only be getting a three week (at the most) head start on those waiting for the European release. Yes it is a kicker that the Japanese will get it before us, but at least it’s not a huge gap.

Nintendo have also produced three videos for the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS showcasing up-coming games that will be available their systems. Here is the list from the 3DS video (some of the titles are displayed in Japanese, so I don’t know their names):

Kid Icarus, Nintendogs + Cats, Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, Biohazard Revelations, Biohazard: The Mercenaries 3D, Dead or Alive Dimensions, (?) Chronicle (Dynasty Warriors type of game), some baseball game, Metal Gear Solid Snake Eater, a Super Mario RPG sequel/spinoff, Pilotwings Resort, a Mario Kart Sequel/Spinoff, a Final Fantasy spinoff, a Super Monkey Ball Sequel/spinoff, a Ridge Racer spinoff, Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle, Starfox 64 3D, Steel Diver, a Animal Crossing Sequel and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D

There has also been more news regarding the Nintendo 3DS. There will be a virtual channel, like the one that is available for the Nintendo Wii, which will sell Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games. So the likes of Tetris, Super Mario Land series, Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening DX, Wario Land series Ninja-Five O, Golden Sun and Mario Kart Super Circuit, as well as other obscure/hidden gems should be made available for play. A brilliant feature for retro fans.

Nintendo are predicting the Nintendo 3DS to sell four million in its first month of release and 15 million 3DS games in the same time period and I would have to say they have a good chance of achiving their goal.