News surfaced recently of a Nintendo DS launch date and pricing revelation, purportedly from Japanese retail sources. According to the rumors, Nintendo"s upcoming handheld will be launched in Japan on November 4th at 19,000 Yen ($175), followed by a U.S. debut November 11th at $179.95. The report further claims that the console will launch along with five to six software titles, with eleven titles planned by the end of 2004.
Although the pricing and launch seems reasonable enough, no Japanese retail sites nor gaming sites have confirmed nor supported the rumor--interestingly, Japanese gaming sites have been linking to U.S. gaming sites for the source of the report supposedly originating in Japan--making the "Japanese retail sources" suspect. Nintendo has neither denied nor commented on the rumors.