The word has already gone out everywhere that Nintendo plans to release its much anticipated 3D handheld in February 26th, 2011 for Japan, and with North America and Europe to follow the month after. But there is still much mystery and speculation about their ever-expanding software lineup. What games are guaranteed to be launched alongside the system, and how many more will be given official release dates.

Well, now you can wonder…slightly less, as Nintendo has released a tentative launch window for some of their 3DS titles, with plans to have at least four games ready and waiting alongside the handheld come February.

From this list, it seems the most likely titles to receive the launch date honor are NintenDogs+Cats, PilotWings Resort, Steel Driver, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3DS. The last entry closely matches with the DS’ launch, which included an expanded port of Super Mario 64. While normally this would guarantee that Zelda will sell the most titles at launch, Japan’s deep love for virtual pets (mostly on account of the typical Japanese home being too small to own a real one) might just usurp Link’s 3DS debut.

For North America and Europe, we have a much more vague list of upcoming releases.

While the March 2011 date continues to stick for the handheld, it’s apparently too early to decide which games will make it for our 3DS launch. Again, Zelda would seem the most likely candidate, as any localization should be easily finished up by copying the original Nintendo 64 script. More cultural games like Animal Crossing and NintenDogs+Cats may require a bit more fine-tuning, and may be delayed a bit further.

Hopefully more concrete dates will follow shortly.

Source:http://www.nintendo3ds.org.uk/nintendo-releases-tentative-software-launch-window/