Nintendo 3DS US Launch Details Revealed

Some of the more diligent of you may remember me gushing over the Nintendo 3DS after last year's E3 event. For those of you unfamiliar, the 3DS is Nintendo's upcoming hand-held gaming device that utilizes 3D imaging without the need for goofy glasses. It is said to have graphic fidelity that is on par with today's high-end systems. On top of that, the device takes 3D pictures and allows you to watch 3D videos on the go (again, with no glasses)! And perhaps the best part? Nintendo is remaking a large number of their old N64 classics (Super Mario 64, Star Fox 64, etc.) to take full advantage of the 3D perspective. Other game companies are doing the same with their popular franchises, like Capcom (Street Fighter 4), Ubisoft (Splinter Cell), and Konami (Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater).

For a while now, we've had information about the launch of the device in Japan, but had no specifics about the US launch or price. This morning, however, at a press event in New York, Nintendo finally announced their plans for the 3DS in the USA. The system will be released on March 27th, 2011, and will cost $250. Soon enough, but the price tag is pretty steep--a Wii cost that much at launch! Though some may argue that the 3DS's tech is more advanced than the Wii's, it seems odd to me that a hand-held system would cost as much as--and now that prices have dropped, more than--a full-featured home console. Heck, you can get a new XBox360 for $200! But either way, I am still extremely excited for the 3DS.

You can read more about Nintendo's 3DS announcements here and check out a live blog of Nintendo's press event here. You can also find a full FAQ released by Nintendo about the 3DS here.