Nintendo 3DS available February 26 in Japan, priced at 25,000 yen

The Nintendo 3DS will be released in Japan on February 26, 2011 with a 25,000 yen ($299) price point. Nintendo officially unveiled the launch details at an event today in Tokyo. The final design differs noticeably from the E3 version only in the analog slider, which is now no longer color-matched to the hardware. Speaking of colors, the 3DS will launch in Japan in "Aqua Blue" and "Cosmo Black."

Several "AR Games" (Augmented Reality) will be pre-loaded on the hardware, as will a new Mii Plaza for Miis collected using the passive communication "Tag Mode." Other downloaded apps can be stored on 2GB of flash memory.

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said that a Western release would occur later. Probably before March 31, as per Reggie Fils-Aime's prediction.