Nintendo 3DS available February 26 in Japan, titles including "LovePlus 3D"

Nintendo announced today that Nintendo 3DS will go on sale in Japan on February 26, 2011 for 25,000 yen (about $300 USD). The US and Europe release will follow in March but the price was not mentioned.

The 3DS titles to be released includes Project Love Plus, a 3D version of the immensely popular LovePlus dating sim series. You'd also be able to play Game Boy titles on Virtual Console.

Read on for details and pics.
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任天堂カンファレンス2010実況中継！ - ファミ通.com

Nintendo 3DS will ship in Japan on 26 February, 2011, at the price of 25,000 yen ($300), including a 2GB SD card, announced today at Nintendo Conference 2010. It will feature a Virtual Console so you'd be able to download and play Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and Game Boy Advance games.

Comes in two colours, Cosmo Black and Aqua Blue.

The release date must be a bit of a let down for those expecting a holiday release, and 25,000 yen sounds a bit pricey even for a 3D device, considering its predecessor Nintendo DSi being available in Japan around 13,500 yen (about $160) right now. As a consequence, the price of Nintendo stock took a sharp dip immediately after the announcement.

7974 任天堂（株） (任天堂)　日本経済新聞マネー・ベーシック：株価サーチ - チャート

Nintendo stock started today at 24,180 yen ($289.13) and closed at 23,120 yen ($276.46) at 15:00.

The conference started at 14:00. The stock rised sharply around 14:30 when they were announcing new services and upcoming game titles, but took a dip right after the release date and price of 3DS was announced around 14:45.

Upcoming 3DS games include 3D versions of bunch of major titles: Resident Evil: Revelations, Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 3D, Dead or Alive: Dimensions, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Mario Kart, Mega Man Legends 3 and many more. They all sound appealing, but among them the most promising must be Project LovePlus for Nintendo 3DS, at least in Japan. It's sure gonna be a big hit and convert legions of DSi users to 3DS: who wouldn't want to see their virtual girlfriend in 3D?

Here's a trailer posted on YouTube by Konami.

YouTube - 「Project ラブプラス for Nintendo 3DS」プロモーションムービー

Features Manaka Takane.

While walking home from school, Manaka asks you if you'd heard about the new console.

She wonders what it'd be like being 3D.

The higher resolutions of the new console will allow you to stare at your girl in greater detail.

"You're staring again..."

"That's all for today. See you!"