Word in from the blogosphere is that Nintendo's President Satoru Iwata has announced that the next generation Nintendo console will be in US stores by their annual turkey glut at the end of November, concurrent with the anticipated US launch of the Sony PS3. As expected, we Euros will have to wait to get our hands on either the Revolution or the PS3.
From Gamespot:
In an interview featured in today's edition of Japanese newspaper Sankei Shinbun, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata stated, "We can't disclose the Revolution's release period yet, but we have no plans to miss out on the year-end sales battle. As for North America, we need to release it by Thanksgiving, or otherwise we won't receive support from the retail industry. So the Revolution will be released prior to that period."
The Guardian's Technology blog also has word that the machine will come in under the $300 price point, consistent with the hardware manufacturer's previous consoles.
Nintendo are proving to be the most innovative console manufacturer in the three-horse race for market dominance. While it's been speculated in the past that this could lead to their downfall, instead it seems that their ability to produce new methods of gameplay is paying off. The touch-screen Nintendo DS handheld system topped 1 million units in the UK last week, and its games are consistently at the top of the charts.
Next Generation has more analysis on the handheld's runaway success from a business perspective - including its appeal to non-gamers.
