Reggie confirms the system will release worldwide by the end of fiscal year...

While much is now known about the console which seemed an elusive mystery a mere fortnight ago, we're still left with many questions regarding the 3DS - specifically price and date.

Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata recently hinted to expect 3DS to cost more than current DS models, and now NOA president Reggie Fils-Aime has discussed with Industry Gamers when we'll be laying that cash down.

"Well, the reason we haven't announced a launch date or pricing is that, first, we wanted to get reaction here. Secondly, we'll be making individual market decisions in terms of what's happening in Japan, what's happening in the Americas, what's happening in Europe. The one thing, for sure, is that we will launch in all of our major markets by March 31, 2011."

3DS was originally announced to be due to hit Japan by the end of 2010, but its nice to know that all 'major' markets will be seeing the handheld at a similar time. On March 11th 2005, Europe hosted the launch of Nintendo DS, just four months after our North American counterparts, and three months after gamers in Japan.

In the same interview, Reggie also stated that the console design we saw at E3 may not be finalised, with Nintendo engineers specifically looking for player feedback from the event. Perhaps we'll see a little face-lift before launch.

Keep it locked to N-Europe for all the latest in the run-up to the 3DS' launch...