Shocking.

Nintendo Europe clearly has faith in the fighting skills of its 3DS handheld: not only is it taking care of marketing and distribution for Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition, it's going to do the same thing for Tecmo Koei's Dead or Alive Dimensions in May.

While Tecmo Koei will maintain publishing privileges, Nintendo's marketing and sales power should mean the game isn't dead on arrival at European retail.

We played the game back in January, so read our Dead or Alive Dimensions First Impressions for more details.

NINTENDO SIGNS DISTRIBUTION DEAL WITH TECMO KOEI FOR DEAD OR ALIVE® DIMENSIONS IN EUROPE

Nintendo and TECMO KOEI EUROPE LTD., European publisher of interactive entertainment software, today confirmed they have entered into a distribution agreement for DEAD OR ALIVE® Dimensions game for Nintendo’s upcoming new portable gaming system - Nintendo 3DS.

The brand new Nintendo 3DS, which allows 3D gaming without the need for special glasses will become available across Europe on 25th March 2011 with DEAD OR ALIVE® Dimensions arriving in May 2011 as part of the launch period line up of games. Under the terms of the agreement Nintendo will be responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of the game throughout European territories, with TECMO KOEI remaining as publisher.

This is the first time ever an instalment to the world-famous fighting game franchise, DEAD OR ALIVE has been made for a Nintendo platform. With the Nintendo 3DS bristling with new interactive features which will enhance gameplay, this newest instalment is tipped to be one of the most dynamic ever.

Containing 25 playable characters, you will be able to use the StreetPass TM feature to fight with AI controlled fighters. Make enough use of this function and you will be able to unlock prize character figurines as rewards.

The fast paced and stylish gameplay which fans of the DEAD OR ALIVE series have been accustomed to, has been developed so players can intuitively perform complex fighting combinations utilising the Touch Screen to create an exhilarating new DEAD OR ALIVE experience – all of which performed within a fully 3D rendered environment.