Supply issues kept 3DS from launching this year, says Iwata

Nintendo boss Satoru Iwata has said the reason 3DS is not launching this year, in Japan at least, is down to worries it would not supply enough units.

"At first we thought it would be desirable to launch the 3DS within the year, so we made our forecasts on that basis," he told an analysts conference (via Reuters).

"At this point it is clear that if we launch within the year, we will not be able to supply enough units."

Iwata's quote brings up memories of when Wii launched in 2006, which seen massive shortages for the console that same year for christmas.

Nintendo announced yesterday 3DS will go on sale in Japan for 25,000 Yen on February 26, 2011.

A western release will follow afterwards in March.