Nintendo Predicting Astronomical 3DS Launch

We’re not saying that Nintendo might be jumping the gun a bit, and we know that’s a global target that they’re forecasting, but forgive us for thinking that 4 million total sales in 30 days sounds a bit like hubris. Especially for a product launch in March.

The new 3D-glasses-less handheld, coming early next year to Japan, then North America & Europe, has an MSRP of ¥25,000 ($298/£188) in Japan but has yet to be priced for other territories. This is going to make quite a difference whether or not many gamers are grabbing theirs on Days 1-through-30.

Nintendo is also estimating another 15 million software sales solely for the 3DS, and if the amount of publishers working on titles for the handheld is a barometer, they may have something there. Every major 3rd party publisher is on board with triple-A franchises like Metal Gear, Resident Evil, The Sims and Assassin’s Creed, not to mention reworkings and new titles from Nintendo’s ever-present stable of console mascots.

What’s your take on the 3DS? Grabbing yours on Day 1 or putting it off until the summer? Can’t stand handheld gaming at all? I can only speak for myself, but I’m still pretty happy with my Neo Geo Pocket Color, thank you very much.

[Gameindustry.biz]