Thousands of gamers flock to Nintendo 3DS world premiere

(AFP PHOTO / Yoshikazu TSUNO)

Thousands of game fans flocked to an exhibition hall near Tokyo Saturday as Nintendo let the general public try its 3D-capable DS console for the first time.

The new-generation DS machine - which allows users to play 3D games without special glasses - missed the Christmas season but will be released on February 26 in Japan and in March in the United States, Europe and Australia.

Thousands of gamers gathered at the event hall as Nintendo kicked off an admission-free, three-day event for the 3DS in Chiba, east of Tokyo.

"The movie quality was good and images came out of the screen more than I expected," said Genki Arakaki, 19, who was among the first group of people to see opening scenes for the Metal Gear fighting game.

Arakaki said he will buy the machine, which will sell for 25,000 yen ($300). "As games become more dynamic, I believe it's worth making them 3D," he said.

Nintendo declined to say how many people gathered at the start of the event, but hour-long queues did not deter those waiting for a six-minute trial.

Nintendo has warned that children under the age of six should not use the 3D console to prevent possible damage to their eyes.

The gaming gadget features the trademark DS dual screens, with the upper screen providing 3D images and the other controlled by touch with a stylus.

The illusion of depth can be increased or decreased so that games can be played in both 2D and 3D, while built-in cameras allow users to take 3D pictures.

When in sleep mode, the console can still locate other nearby 3DS devices, exchange data and receive game challenges or other invitations automatically.