14 DAY TRIAL // An array of details appeared this week about the Nintendo 3DS, as the Japanese company detailed its new handheld during the Nintendo World Expo in Tokyo, including the fact that it hopes to avoid shortages in stores and how the device will reward players who exercise and walk outside.
The Nintendo 3DS is set to be one of the most important handheld platform launches of the year and is certain to attract a lot of customers even with a pretty high price.
Nintendo itself set a high sales goal, saying that it will ship 1.5 million 3DS units in its first month after the release of the device on February 26 in Japan.
When the device is launched in Europe and North America, around March, that number is set to reach 4 million.
Nintendo confirmed that it would be doing everything it can to prevent shortages, so that every customer will be able to buy a new 3DS.
Back when the company launched the original DS or the Wii home console, shortages were extremely common, due to the massive demand by customers all over the world.
What's more, the Nintendo 3DS, besides offering 3D technology without the necessity of special glasses, will also reward physical exercise.
More specifically, the 3DS will use its built-in pedometer to measure how active its owner is and reward him through Game Coins, a currency that can then be used in the games made for the device.
This feature is set to motivate players to also use the 3DS' StreetPass mode, which automatically downloads the Mii avatars and various high scores of other gamers that are in the vicinity of the player.
The Nintendo 3DS will be launched next month in Japan, and is set to be a landmark moment, according to the company itself.
A wide array of games have already been confirmed, and Nintendo committed to a solid release schedule in order to prevent any "drought" periods.