Nintendo has dubbed its new portable device the Nintendo 3DS, which is a nod to its 3-D capabilities. Unlike 3-D offerings from rival Sony, Nintendo's hand-held does not require 3-D glasses, as the screen itself can reproduce the 3-D effect for users. It's a marvel of sorts — and so is the price tag Nintendo has slapped on it.
While the 3DS had been rumored for a fall release in Japan, last week Nintendo announced that it will hit Japanese retail outlets in February 2011. That news triggered a slight fall in Nintendo's stocks. According to Bloomberg, on the afternoon of Nintendo's press conference, some investors had mistakenly mentioned that the Kyoto-based company had scheduled the 3DS for an October release, causing the stock to surge. In the end, Nintendo ended up down 9.4 percent due to the release date gaffe and a slashed financial forecast. Big hardware releases tend to coincide with the holiday season, but Nintendo will not be able to get the 3DS out to stores in time.
While investors might feel bummed, fans have a reason to be happy.