UPDATE: [07/25/11 18:30] Nintendo provided Kotaku this statement (as spied by scernos, thanks - ed.): "An internal Amazon.com shipping issue triggered a brief hold on orders of Nintendo 3DS systems while the situation was reviewed, as is common in such matters. Amazon.com resolved the issue, and Nintendo 3DS orders have resumed. There are no issues with Nintendo 3DS inventory or quality. For additional information about this incident, please contact Amazon.com."

Original story: Online retailer Amazon has suspended shipments of Nintendo 3DS orders. The notice on the 3DS product page simply says that "customers have told us there may be something wrong with our inventory of the item, the way we are shipping it, or the way it's described here."

Whatever the cause, Nintendo has told VentureBeat that it's looking into the matter, saying that an "inventory issue" raised a flag. The company did not provide further clarification.

Though unconfirmed, a NeoGAF member (via Tiny Cartridge) claims he received a reply from an Amazon representative, which suggested that the reason for the product's flagging is a loose flip-screen hinge.

The upper screen is meant to be easily able to open and close, and the purported Amazon rep mentioned that as long as it locks into place, it is "within Nintendo's design specifications." If the problem is loose hinges, some unlucky Amazon shoppers have gotten 3DS units that don't lock into place -- which would not only make for a frustrating game experience, but would render the 3D effect useless.

Nintendo offers a one year warranty on the 3DS, so if the issue is with the hardware, the company would cover the repairs. We'll update as more information becomes available.