Nintendo 3DS gets release date

Nintendo has revealed that its new 3DS handheld console will be released early next year.

It will hit the shelves in Japan on February 26 and cost around £188. Europe though will have to wait until March.

There is no news yet though on how much it will cost in the UK.

The company's shares fell slightly after the news was announced, largely because it won't be out in time for Christmas.

Company bosses are hoping its unique selling point of being able to play games and watch films in 3D without special glasses will be enough to win over gamers.

It will face stiff competition in the video game market from both of its main rivals.

Serious competition

Sony has already released its new Playstation Move controller.

While Xbox is confident its Kinect add-on will provide gamers with an entirely different way of playing video games.

It uses a motion capture system which translates people's body movements into game play.

Bosses at Nintendo will be hoping for early signs of strong sales from the 3DS.

Over recent months the number of DS models and Wii being sold has started to drop off.

Despite getting good reviews during its unveiling at E3 the company's President Satoru Iwata says he's not complacent.

"The 3DS was very well received at E3 but... one problem is that you can't understand it without trying it out".

'A revolution'

Spokesman Rob Saunders added: "The company has never worked so hard on a new product launch".

"We've got over 70 games currently in development for it. Metal Gear Solid, Resident Evil, Mario, they're all coming.

"What you're seeing, I think, is games developers really getting to grips with 3D for the first time.

"Giving gamers something they really haven't seen before which, without the glasses, truly is a revolution."