Nintendo will release its 3D capable portable gaming system, the Nintendo 3DS, in Japan on 26 February and in the US and Europe sometime in March 2011.
The new DS allows users to play 3D games and watch films without the need for 3D glasses.
Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said at a launch event that will cost 25,000 yen (€221) in Japan. The price for the US and Europe is still unknown.
The device was previewed at the E3 gaming conference in June and physically resembles its predecessor, the Nintendo DS.
The console will feature a Mii Studio, a more advanced “Mii” character creation software than on the Wii and users will also be able to buy older Gameboy games for it on a similar service to the Virtual Console.
It will also have Wi-Fi access, multitasking capabilities and a photo editor.
A number of games have already been announced for the console, including a 3D remake of the Nintendo 64 classic The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart and Resident Evil: Revelations.
Its 3D capabilities are its most important feature, however, Nintendo says it’s impossible to communicate this through images and video.
“The 3DS was very well received at E3, but we are not complacent about sales,” Iwata said.
“One problem is that you can’t understand it without trying it out.”
