This will be the first console I ever pre-order, and buy, at launch. It's amazing too since I'm not that big of a handheld gamer, but the 3DS launch line-up looks pretty amazing. 
 
My question is if the console is launching in March why is there no pre-order yet? That's three months...

This will be the first console I pre-order too. It'll take a few months for me to save up the spare cash, since I'm making school payments now, I'm in no hurry. I do want one day 1, though.

If you send me a check made out to cash, I can get you a "pre-order" right now...

I hear through a friend of a friend that pre-orders are going to start on the 26th.

I'm still excited to hear the U.S. price. 

The same day a hard date is announced probably.

Doesn't Gamestop pretty much do pre-orders on anything that may or may not exist, regardless of release date?

I expect they are going to announce a hard date during CES 2011 (Jan 6-9), then pre-orders will start.