Nintendo 3DS ships in Japan February 26, US and Europe in March, auto-generates Mii

Enough with the rumored prices and launch dates for the 3DS already, let's get official. Nintendo just announced a February 26 ship date in Japan for ¥25,000 (about $298). It'll then land in the US and Europe in March for an undisclosed amount. Launch colors are aqua blue or cosmo black. At a press event in Japan, Nintendo demonstrated the ability to take your picture using the 3DS' front-facing camera and then automatically convert the image into a Mii -- you can edit it too using Mii Studio on the 3DS. You can even merge two photos into a single image if you choose. Images can then be exported as QR codes in wireless "tag mode" or as a file to a bundled 2GB SD card.

Ninty also announced a special edition Super Mario DSi LL (no hardware changes) set to launch for ¥18,000 in Japan on October 28th. It also confirmed that a Wii Remote Plus is in development and will be announced at a date some time in the future. And a partnership with Fuji TV will trial 3D video streaming to Nintendo's new handheld. Finally, a virtual console-style store will serve up downloadable Game Boy and Game Boy Advance games on the 3DS.

Update: Nintendo just launched its 3DS microsite in Japan with a bit more product detail including a new feature overview video found after the break. In it we see a built-in pedometer and what looks like background multitasking (or at least a state save) letting you launch other apps and then return to a game at the exact same point you left it. Nintendo also demonstrates the Mii Plaza app that lets you collect and view Miis from 3DS owners you pass throughout the day (even when the 3DS is sleeping); Augmented Reality gaming with six AR cards included in the box; a long-press home button for in-game access to web browsing, WiFi toggle, and more; a Book app; and note writing / diary software.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/29/n...-front-facing/