TOKYO--During Nintendo's shareholders meeting on Wednesday, company president Satoru Iwata disclosed that the Revolution's launch might fall behind that of its rivals.

During a question-and-answer session, stockholders asked Iwata if there was any danger that Nintendo would lag behind Microsoft and Sony in entering the next-generation console war. He gave the following cryptic response: "There is no possibility that the Revolution's launch will fall behind by too much, but there might be some small changes [in its release schedule]."

Until today, Nintendo has said only that the Revolution will be released in 2006 in North America, without specifying any date. Iwata's comments indicate that the console could appear after the launch of Sony's PlayStation 3, which is currently slated for a spring 2006 launch in the US. Microsoft's Xbox 360 will arrive on store shelves during the 2005 holiday season worldwide.

In an effort to quell investors' fears, Iwata assured the crowd that Nintendo is prepared for the next-generation console war with a "long-term plan on what kinds of titles will be released at what stage" for the Revolution. The company has announced a number of first-party games for the machine, including new installments in its Super Mario, Legend of Zelda, Smash Bros., Metroid, and Donkey Kong franchises.