Nintendo has announced that its next handheld, the 3DS, will be released in Europe and North America during March 2011, and in Japan on February 26, 2011.<\/p>\n
No price point has been given for the European or US release, but the device will sell for ¥25 000 in Japan, so we are optimistically guessing at R2 499 locally. There is a good chance it will retail for around R3000 – possibly more – at launch. <\/p>\n
We caught up with local Nintendo distributor Core, who was unable to give final confirmation on a release date but assured us that in all probability the 3DS will arrive in SA in late March. They also could not confirm a price.<\/p>\n
The 3DS got the gaming world’s attention at E3 this year, and blew expo goers away with its glasses-free 3D screen. Nintendo has confirmed that the device will not see any design changes from what was shown at the expo, except for a new telescopic stylus. <\/p>\n
The 3DS will also offer a new Virtual Console, which will offer a digital library of Game Boy titles, as well as special “experiences” designed around the on-board 3D camera. Users will be able to create Mii characters from actual photos, for instance. <\/p>\n