Rumor: Nintendo limiting number of 3DS Zelda: Ocarina of Time copies

Sinobi Blog, a reputable source of leaked Japanese videogame retail information, reports that the number of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on 3DS copies that Nintendo is manufacturing is incredibly small. What's more, Nintendo is reportedly refusing to let retailers set their own order sizes, and will be shipping the game in predetermined small quantities to stores regardless of shelf space.

The move makes sense in Japan, where orders for the DS Zelda: Spirit Tracks greatly exceeded demand. By the beginning of the summer, copies of the game were marked down to less than 500 Yen (less than $5) at every major retail outlet in the country. Spirit Tracks didn't face a similar problem in the west, so it's unlikely that the western runs of OoT 3DS will be as limited.

The game comes out June 16 in Japan, June 17 in Europe, and June 19 in the US.