Nintendo expected to ship 1.5 million 3DS units next month

Nintendo is planning a big initial release for its latest handheld gaming console, the 3DS, when it is released in Japan next month.
According to Reuters, Nintendo is planning to ship 1.5 million units within the first 30 days of the February 26 launch date. Once the 3DS hits North American and European shores the following month, Nintendo plans to have sold four million units worldwide by the end of March.

Nintendo officially debuted the 3DS last June at E3 2010 in Los Angeles. The console sports a 3D widescreen up top and a 2D display on the bottom. That 3D display has caused a bit of a stir in recent weeks since a warning Nintendo issued at the end of December affirming that the glasses-free 3D panel could hurt children’s developing eyes.
Pricing has also been a controversy. The 3DS will retail for 25,000 yen (about $299) in Japan. A U.S. price point hasn’t been officially revealed yet, but $300 for a handheld gaming console - especially when you compare that to buying an Xbox 360 or Sony PlayStation 3 for an equivalent or even lesser amount. After all, you can still get a Nintendo Wii for $179.99! But that’s an older system, and 3D just bumps up every price tag these days. Are you buying it?