GameStop Is Taking Nintendo 3DS Pre Orders

The retail chain GameStop, the most important when it comes to video games and the hardware needed to run them, has begun taking pre orders for the Nintendo 3DS handheld, although the device does not yet have a clear launch date for North America or a price set directly by the manufacturer.

Reports from those who have attempted to place a pre order say that depending on the store the personnel is asking for a deposit of between 25 and 50 dollars for the Nintendo 3DS, with the promise being that the platform can be picked up on the day it is released.

It is currently not possible to place pre orders for the 3DS using the online store which GameStop maintains.

Other retailers will probably also begin taking pre orders when the new year rolls around so that they would not lose business to GameStop.

Nintendo has already announced that it will be holding a big event on January 19, 2011 in New York, with its president for North America, Regie Fils-Aime, set to be the main speaker, with expectations being that he will be announcing an official launch date for the Nintendo 3DS along with pricing, colors at launch and video games that will be coming when it is released.

The Nintendo 3DS is special because it will allow gamers to experience three dimensional games without using specialized glasses that have so far hampered the adoption of the technology.

The device has a launch date of February 26, 2011 on the Japanese market and a price point which hovers about the 300 dollar mark in Yen.

Nintendo has said that before its fiscal year ends on March 31 the 3DS will also arrive in North America and in Europe.

A lot of big franchises, like Madden, Zelda, Mario, Metal Gear and more, will be getting 3DS based titles.