NEW YORK -- Manhattan was freezing late Saturday night as several hundred diehard fans lined up to get their hands on the 3DS.
[bug id="nintendo-3ds"]Nintendo celebrated in style, handing out wool hats embroidered with the Nintendo 3DS logo and even offering free hot dogs and tacos to the crowd of hardcore faithful in attendance. While waiting until midnight, when the system officially launched, attendees could test out the glasses-free 3-D handheld via several demo stations along 4th Avenue.
Though a few hundred people showed up to the launch party, it seemed like Nintendo expected a bigger turnout. Several demo stations were left untouched, and the line didn't span much further than a block. An entire section of 13th Street, roped off for 3DS fans, remained empty throughout the night.
"We're really pleased with the turnout," Nintendo of America's director of public relations Marc Franklin told Wired.com at the event. "We're really thrilled with the excitement here, from the first purchases all the way down to the line."
Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime also made several appearances, pumping up the crowd and shaking hands with fans.
Shortly before midnight, Nintendo representatives handed sets of 3-D glasses to the crowd. Then, seconds before fans were allowed to enter the store and buy their new systems, Fils-Aime directed everybody to throw their plastic spectacles up into the air, heralding the system's launch and signaling an end to what the Nintendo chief called "those funky glasses."
The first device was purchased by Isaiah Triforce-Johnson, who had waited in line since Monday.
Photos: Jason Schreier/Wired.com
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