Hey Europe - you're lookin' rather handsome today

In a move that nobody saw coming, Nintendo today announced the release of a pink DSi console in Europe, available from February 12th. Packaged with Style Boutique (known as Style Savvy in the US), the console is set to win over macho hearts and minds in just a few weeks.

That's not all the hardware news Nintendo's latest press announcement has to shout about, though. With the DSi XL already announced for March 5th, the black Nintendo Wii has also had its run extended, making it slightly less of a Limited Edition but still a welcome move for style fans everywhere.

On the retail software front, there were no real surprises, though the delay of Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes to February 11th is a disappointment for continental fans of puzzle RPGs.

For download fans, the announcement of 530 ECOSHOOTER for a release in January is welcome news indeed, though there's little good news on the DSi front, with no solid release date for Reflection or Flight Control, among others. Anyway, we'll let Nintendo's press release speak for itself!

Nintendo’s spring offering is sure to start the New Year off with a bang! This March heralds the launch of the newest member of the Nintendo DS family: the Nintendo DSi XL. Get ready to experience your favourite Nintendo DS games like never before – on the big screens and via the wider viewing angle of the Nintendo DSi XL. With 4.2 inch screens, which are 93% bigger than the screen on the Nintendo DS Lite, the DSi XL will really bring the adventure and action to life.

The Nintendo DSi XL will be launching in 2 new colours- wine red and dark brown and comes fully pre-loaded with two Nintendo DSiWare software: A Little Bit of…Dr. Kawashima’s Brain Training: Arts Edition and Dictionary 6 in 1 with Camera Function, as well as the Nintendo DSi Browser.

The Nintendo DSi too is also growing in range as 12th February will see the Nintendo DSi packed with more colour and more fashion as the Nintendo DSi Pink launches across Europe bundled exclusively with the most stylish game in town: Nintendo Presents Style Boutique.

It’s not only Nintendo’s handheld range which is growing! Players will be pleased to know that due to popular demand, Nintendo of Europe will now be continuing to sell the exclusive Limited Edition Wii Black Hardware Bundle containing Wii Sports, Wii Sports Resort & Wii Motion Plus for all to enjoy! That’s a total of 15 great sporting activities with the precision of the Wii Motion Plus all in one box.

And that’s not all! Nintendo’s software line-up continues to entertain all as the March 26th release of the Pokémon™ HeartGold Version and Pokémon™ SoulSilver Version games for the Nintendo DS & Nintendo DSi heralds the beginning of a major new development for the Pokémon world. Players will continue their training in the real world with the help of the brand new Pokéwalker™ accessory which comes bundled with each game.

Why not dive into and immerse yourself into a mesmeric and action packed underwater world in the breathtaking marine adventure: Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep on Wii? This time there are six new ocean locations to explore, all with realistic and beautiful graphics, however be careful when encountering predators of the deep and make sure you have your pulsar gun at the ready! Linking up to another players Wii via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection will allow you to explore each others oceans and rivers and then share your encounters and marine missions with your friends utilising Wii Speak.

Nintendo Hardware Q1 2010

Nintendo DSi HW (Pink) + Nintendo Presents Style Boutique bundle - 12 February
Nintendo DSi XL (Brown/Wine Red) - 5 March

Wii Software Q1 2010

Resident Evil Zero (Capcom) - 22 January
Tatsunoko vs Capcom (Capcom) - 29 January
U-SING : 2 Microphone Edition (Mindscape) - January
Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep (Nintendo) - 5 February
Karaoke Revolution (KONAMI) - 11 February
Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll (SEGA) - 12 February
Sonic & SEGA All-Stars Racing (SEGA) - February
The Sky Crawlers (NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe SAS) - February
Alice in Wonderland (Disney Interactive Studios) - 4 March
Silent Hill Shattered Memories (KONAMI) - 4 March
CALLING (HUDSON SOFT CO.,LTD.) - 18 March
Rune Factory Frontier (Rising Star Games) - March
Red Steel 2 (Ubisoft) - March
Fragile Dreams (Rising Star Games) - March

Nintendo DS Software Q1 2010

Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes (Ubisoft) - 11 February
Jonas Brothers (Disney Interactive Studios) - 5 February
Bleach: The 3rd Phantom (SEGA) - 12 February
Phantasy Star Ø (SEGA) - 12 February
Puzzle Chronicles (KONAMI) - 18 February
Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgworth (Capcom) -19 February
Alice in Wonderland (Disney Interactive Studios) - 4 March
Picross 3D (Nintendo) - 5 March
Pokémon HeartGold + Poké Walker accessory (Nintendo) - 26 March
Pokémon SoulSilver + Poké Walker accessory (Nintendo) - 26 March
Avalon Code (Rising Star Games) - March
Sonic Classic Collection (SEGA) - March

The Wii Shop Channel and Nintendo DSi Shop are continually updated with exciting and refreshing games and applications from a whole host of developers, and 2010 will continue to bring fresh, inventive and entertaining games & applications right to your Wii and Nintendo DS. Make sure you keep checking the Nintendo Channel, Wii Shop Channel and Nintendo DSi Shop for all the latest news and releases on already available and upcoming WiiWare and Nintendo DSiWare titles.

Below is only a taster of some of the exciting titles which will become available during Spring.

WiiWare Q1 2010

Max & The Magic Marker (Press Play) - 22 January
530 ECOSHOOTER (Nintendo) - 29 January
Brain Cadet (Rising Star Games) - 29 January
EXCITEBIKE: WORLD CHALLENGE (Nintendo) - 5 February
Military Madness: Nectaris (HUDSON SOFT CO.,LTD.) - February
Phoenix Wright™ Ace Attorney: Justice for All (Capcom) - Q1
Muscle March (NAMCO BANDAI Games Europe SAS) - Q1
Frogger Returns (KONAMI) - Q1
Tales of Monkey Island: Rise of the Pirate God (Teltale Games) - Q1
Worms: Battle Islands (Team 17) - Q1
Toribash (Nabi Studios) - Q1
Zombie Panic in Wonderland (Akaoni Studios) - Q1
Super Meat Boy (Team Meat) - Q1
Rage of the Gladiator (GhostFire Games) - Q1

DSiWare Q1 2010

A Legend of Hexidia (GAMELOFT) - January
2010 Real Football (GAMELOFT) - February
Let's golf! (GAMELOFT) - February
High Stakes Texas Hold'em (HUDSON SOFT CO.,LTD.) - Q1
Reflection (KONAMI) - Q1
Flight Control (Firemint) - Q1
Fieldrunners (Subatomic Studios) - Q1
Car Jack Streets (Tag Games) - Q1