The announcement of Nintendo DS's family successor, the Nintendo 3DS, almost a year before its launch date and coinciding with the North American and European launch of the Nintendo DSi XL came as a surprise to most.
Billy Pigeon, analyst at M2 Research, believes that this announcement wasn't planned by Nintendo until steady stream of leaks from manufacturing partners reached the Japanese media which came too close to uncovering the company's plans for the new product.
"Apparently, the Japanese press was all over it and talked with suppliers there and Nintendo just wanted to get out ahead by breaking the news to prevent a leak," Pigeon told CNBC.
Pigeon then noted that this move is a proof that Nintendo's Japanese division is responsible for all the company's major decisions, regardless of their effects on the North American and European divisions.
The announcement is expected to affect the sales of Nintendo DSi XL in North America and Europe were it has been recently launched. "The XL is old news, however, in Japan - and Nintendo is a very Japan-centric organisation. This is just the corporate parent in Japan maybe not acting in the best interest of Nintendo of America."
Nintendo 3DS will offer true 3D gaming without the need for special glasses.
