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In late September, Nintendo dated and priced the 3DS…for Japan. The handheld, which offers up 3D visuals without the need for glasses, will arrive in the island nation on February 26, 2011, and sell for a steep ¥25,000 ($299). The system will be available in Aqua Blue and Cosmo Black hues upon launch.

The 3DS's US price and exact launch date will likely be revealed on Jan. 19.

During the same announcement, Nintendo said that the 3DS will arrive in Europe and the US sometime in March--but it did not give a US price for the device. Many questions about the portable's cost will likely be answered on January 19, when Nintendo holds a press event in New York City dedicated to the 3DS. The all-day event will feature a presentation by Nintendo of America president and COO Reggie Fils-Aime, as well as hands-on gameplay for the press in attendance.

Nintendo first announced the 3DS during its 2010 Electronic Entertainment Expo press conference, laying out a sizable number of first-party titles, including Kid Icarus: Uprising, Star Fox 64 3D, Paper Mario, Animal Crossing, Mario Kart, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.

Later, the publisher also confirmed a strong lineup of third-party support for the 3DS, with titles like Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D - The Naked Sample, Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, Pro Evolution Soccer, Dead or Alive 3D, Resident Evil Revelations, Ninja Gaiden, Pac-Man & Galaga, and Dragon Ball all getting the 3D treatment, as well as a spate of unnamed titles from such developers as Harmonix, Take-Two, Atlus, AQ Interactive, Disney Interactive Studios, Hudson Soft, Majesco, Marvelous Entertainment, and Sega. Electronic Arts' Madden NFL 11 will also debut on the portable around the time of its launch.