Nintendo announced today that its next-generation console, tentatively named the Dolphin, would launch in North America and Europe in the first half of 2001. The console was previously slated for a worldwide release during the holiday 2000 season. There has been no word on whether or not the Japanese launch of the system will be pushed back as well.

　　"We're building a machine with only one purpose - to play video games," says Minoru Arakawa, president, Nintendo of America Inc. "This is what Nintendo has always known best, and what consumers have always wanted most. Project Dolphin's eventual success will come from the combination of Nintendo's dedicated, world-class game designers and our beloved franchise characters -- the proven recipe for the world's best interactive fun."

　　Peter Main, Nintendo's executive vice president of sales and marketing, added his thoughts. "A 2001 launch for Project Dolphin is not only in keeping with the normal product lifespan for our home consoles, but provides two important benefits. First, it allows the millions of current Nintendo 64 owners to devote their video game dollars to the best lineup of new games in our history--without having to buy a new system. Secondly, the new launch date for Dolphin means that our system will come to market next year with a portfolio of game names across all genres that simply can't be matched by any other company."

　　Nintendo intends to stay strong with its upcoming lineup for the N64 and the Game Boy Color. The lineup includes such titles as Perfect Dark, The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask, and Pokemon.