When formally announcing plans to release the world’s first handheld game console with stereo 3D output, Nintendo not only revealed no information about hardware that powers the 3DS, but also did not unveil anything about the launch date for the product. However, an unofficial source has said that 3DS would be released in October, 2010.

Citing UK industry sources CVG web-site has revealed that Nintendo was readying an October launch for the system, which Nintendo intends to announce at E3. Although there are no concrete dates at the moment, one of the logical dates would be the 10^th of October, 2010, or 10.10.10.

A high-ranking source among game developers indicated that a product launch two and a half months before Christmas may point to very high confidence of Nintendo in the 3DS project.

“It's a surprise – we were expecting it much closer to Christmas. But I suppose it gives Nintendo the opportunity to get it front and centre in people's minds nice and early. In my experience, you don't launch a product that early to Christmas unless you're confident in it – and going to spend a lot of money on it. We are reassured that Nintendo is going to give it some decent backing in Q4,” the source is reported to have said.

Based on previously available information, it looks like Nintendo 3DS will feature more powerful hardware and will have a lineup of games that will exclusively work on the 3DS. It likely that Nintendo will have to install more powerful graphics core into the 3DS and also encourage game developers to create more visually attractive titles.

Nintendo did not comment on the news-story.

Tags: Nintendo, 3DS, Stereo 3D