Nintendo's 3DS handheld console sold out within hours of its Japanese launch on Saturday. Nintendo claims that all 400,000 units in the opening shipment were gone by the close of day one, with most already secured via pre-orders. According to specialist Japanese games site Adriasang, large queues were forming outside key electronics shops throughout Tokyo on Friday night, but many stores were dealing with pre-order customers only.
The device, due for release in Europe on March 25, offers glasses-free 3D gaming, as well as a 3D camera and Wi-Fi connectivity. The console launched with eight games including Nintendogs + cats, Ridge Racer 3D and Super Street Fighter IV 3D.
While Nintendo games hardware usually performs well in domestic launches, it's an encouraging sign for the company, especially as the Wii and DS consoles are not shifting in the numbers they once were: sales of the Wii console were down by over 30% in January compared to the same period in 2010.
Nintendo has, of course, promised that more units will be available shortly.
