[The sale is] ahead of a global rollout, and analysts say it promises to be the world’s first 3-D mass-market product.

The 25,000 yen ($300) handheld went on sale in Japan on Saturday. It goes on sale in Europe on March 25 for 250 euros, and arrives in the U.S. on March 27 for $250.

Kyoto-based Nintendo Co. is banking on the 3-D technology as sales momentum gradually fades for earlier hits such as the Wii home console and predecessor DS models.

Nintendo is expecting to sell 4 million of the 3DS machines through the end of March – 1.5 million in Japan and the rest overseas. Analysts expect Nintendo to meet that target.

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