Topic: 3DS North American Price, Date, Colors Set

[MegaByte]

The system will retail for $249.99 and launches March 27.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/24774

At the Nintendo 3DS Preview Event in New York, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime announced the launch date and price of the Nintendo 3DS. The handheld will debut with a MSRP of $249.99 on March 27. This date comes near the end of the previously promised launch timeframe, which ends with the company's fiscal year on March 31.

Fils-Aime noted that focus groups consistently felt that the features included in the system warranted a price as high as $300 - $400, however Nintendo chose to keep the system price at $249.99, equivalent with the Wii launch price, and $100 more than the Nintendo DS.

The system will initially be available in two colors, Aqua Blue and Cosmo Black. Over 30 games will be available during the "launch window", but specific launch-date games have not yet been announced.

[Caliban]

That's a price that I can cope with.

[GoldenPhoenix]

Seems to be a fair price, at the same point as Wii when it launched. Wish we knew more about the games launching on the same day as the system though.

[FZeroBoyo]

So Neal's prediction date was right on the mark. Well played, sir.

[TJ Spyke]

Fils-Aime noted that focus groups consistently felt that the features included in the system warranted a price as high as $300 - $400</p>

I'd like to see the focus groups that said this.

No surprise on the price, this is pretty much what most of us expected. I am disappointed with the news that we will get it AFTER Europe for some reason. As for the colors, I will probably get Cosmic Black because I don't like how the Aqua Blue one looks.

[LittleIrves]

Whoa, whoa.....   "Cosmic" Black??
(scans press release)
Oh, whew!  It's Cosmo Black.  Good.  Was worried there for a sec.
(thinks about it for another sec)
Wait.   Cosmo?

[broodwars]

Eh, no thanks.  I'll wait for the cheaper redesign 1-2 years down the line with a longer-lasting battery.  Maybe the system's worth that much, but I just can't justify spending the cost of a console on a handheld.

[Jonnyboy117]

I think some of you are forgetting that when Nintendo launches a redesigned handheld, they tend to drop the price of the original model and sell the new version at the original system price.

[Ian Sane]

That's a much better price then the rumoured $300 price tag so Nintendo hasn't gone totally bonkers.  But I still don't really want to spend the same for a handheld that I did for a console.

And how does this make the Wii look?  Nintendo's console is CHEAPER than their portable?  Isn't that going to make the Wii look like a total joke?  Plus the fact that the portable has arguably BETTER graphics.

[TJ Spyke]

And how does this make the Wii look?  Nintendo's console is CHEAPER than their portable?  Isn't that going to make the Wii look like a total joke?

When the PSP came out in 2004, it was more expensive than the PS2 (which was still very popular and Sony's current system).

[BlackNMild2k1]

So not a lot of excitement or surprises today?

Price is right what most of us predicted many months ago. Not too crazy with the color choices, hopefully they switch them up more often or new colors with different game bundles. Release date is the last Sunday in March like many speculated as soon as it missed the 2010 launch.

Any surprise games announced? was there a Metroid shown? New Mario game? anything exciting?

[Jonnyboy117]

Nope, wait for E3. However, Neal has told us there's a Metroid: Other M stage in Dead or Alive. We are waiting for more details before running that story.

[TJ Spyke]

I am a little surprised that no launch games have been confirmed yet.

[Nemo]

Too expensive for me.

[BlackNMild2k1]

I am a little surprised that no launch games have been confirmed yet.

Sounds like it's time for another 3DS poll

[MaryJane]

Was Paper Mario confirmed before this event?

[BlackNMild2k1]

yes

[Kytim89]

The thing about the price is that Sony and Microsoft might very well announce another price drop in the fifty dollar range for their consoles. This puts Nintendo in a situation where they are ompeting against HD console with a handheld that is bolstering six to ten-year-old graphics. I see Nintendo owering the price to about $219.99 by years end. Also, come to think about it, what will the trade-in value for the DS systems, particularly the DSi because I own one, will be towards the 3DS? If it is fifty or sixty dollars for a DSi then I am on board for the 3DS. If not, Nintendo can keep it, or atleast for now.

[TJ Spyke]

It was actually one of the very first 3DS games announced last year.

Kytim, the graphics are much better than anything out 10 years ago. Also, handhelds and consoles are two different markets (except in Japan, where handhelds have become the standard). Console prices won't have any influence.

[Kytim89]

It was actually one of the very first 3DS games announced last year.

Kytim, the graphics are much better than anything out 10 years ago. Also, handhelds and consoles are two different markets (except in Japan, where handhelds have become the standard). Console prices won't have any influence.

If I had to choose between a $250 3DS and $250 PS3 I am tempted to get the home console. Also, the 3DS appears to be on par graphically with the PS2/Gamecube/PSP, and those were early 2000s consoles, so it should be priced accordingly. Lastly, where does Reggie get the nerve to say that the 3DS could be priced as high as $300-400?

[GoldenPhoenix]

Seriously, people are "worried" about the price of the 3DS? People pay $600 for an iPad, they pay $300 for netbooks when a full sized, similarly priced Laptop smokes it. The handheld market, does NOT compete with the console market. Portable machines are just that, portable and have their own market, or has no one been paying attention for the last few decades?

3DS is a powerful handheld machine with new technology. It is far from being "5-6 years old". That is like saying the iPhone 4 graphics capabilities are "4-6 years old" because it doesn't compare to the 360. It is silly.

[GoldenPhoenix]

It was actually one of the very first 3DS games announced last year.

Kytim, the graphics are much better than anything out 10 years ago. Also, handhelds and consoles are two different markets (except in Japan, where handhelds have become the standard). Console prices won't have any influence.

If I had to choose between a $250 3DS and $250 PS3 I am tempted to get the home console. Also, the 3DS appears to be on par graphically with the PS2/Gamecube/PSP, and those were early 2000s consoles, so it should be priced accordingly. Lastly, where does Reggie get the nerve to say that the 3DS could be priced as high as $300-400?

It is called marketing, the fact is that it isn't priced that high is what matters. Anyone familiar with PR will see statements like that all the time, just takes different forms.

[TJ Spyke]

It was actually one of the very first 3DS games announced last year.

Kytim, the graphics are much better than anything out 10 years ago. Also, handhelds and consoles are two different markets (except in Japan, where handhelds have become the standard). Console prices won't have any influence.

If I had to choose between a $250 3DS and $250 PS3 I am tempted to get the home console. Also, the 3DS appears to be on par graphically with the PS2/Gamecube/PSP, and those were early 2000s consoles, so it should be priced accordingly. Lastly, where does Reggie get the nerve to say that the 3DS could be priced as high as $300-400?

Under that logic, the GBA should have been $50 at launch because it was basically SNES level graphics. You can go with the PSP2 and expect to pay $400 for a handheld, I will live in the real world. Also, Reggie never said that, please read the post. He said that the people in focus groups felt it was worth that much.

[Kytim89]

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Get your $250 home console and take your make-believe world somewhere else.

[Kytim89]

 
 
 

 

[Kytim89]

I will honestly say that it seems to me that gaming is getting too expensive.

[kraken613]

Just got home to a mass of news trying to catch up.

Any word on online and please say no friend codes!

[TJ Spyke]

Yeah, but so it everything else unfortunately, even adjusting for inflation. For example, $90 in 1989 would be about $158 now. That Game Gear would be $240. If anything, games have gone up less than everything else. I wish games were cheaper too though.

[Kytim89]

Yeah, but so it everything else unfortunately, even adjusting for inflation. For example, $90 in 1989 would be about $158 now. That Game Gear would be $240. If anything, games have gone up less than everything else. I wish games were cheaper too though.

The debacle that the world financial system is in makes me think that gaming, or atleast the games, should be cheaper due to less demand. 

[broodwars]

Price of the unit aside, I'm pretty concerned about the speculated price of the games.  I think I saw somewhere $40 listed as the pre-order price for Nintendogs + Cats?  Assuming that's the standard, I don't see Nintendo putting their N64 ports anywhere lower than that (which would be ridiculous considering the age of these games), and tack on another $10 for the Square-tax when Dragon Quest X gets shifted to the 3DS.  That's pretty pricey for games on a portable system.

[Adrock]

The two toned shell looks tacky. I was hoping they'd change that. Oh well.

The price is as expected. Too expensive for me, but I resigned myself to waiting for a redesign so it's inconsequential. It's not unfair, but Nintendo is clearly pushing profit margins. If I was planning on buying at launch, I wouldn't feel completely ripped off.

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

I will honestly say that it seems to me that gaming is getting too expensive.

Then sell your Wii or whatever and stick to apps. Live like you mean it.

[Kytim89]

Price of the unit aside, I'm pretty concerned about the speculated price of the games.  I think I saw somewhere $40 listed as the pre-order price for Nintendogs + Cats?  Assuming that's the standard, I don't see Nintendo putting their N64 ports anywhere lower than that (which would be ridiculous considering the age of these games), and tack on another $10 for the Square-tax when Dragon Quest X gets shifted to the 3DS.  That's pretty pricey for games on a portable system.

This is what I meant by games being too expensive. The prices for PS360 games should be $50 and Wii games should be $40 new and DS games should be no more than $30 at this point. The tehnology is cheap enough to warrant these prices. Lastly, Nintendo might get slammed if they do not play the 3DS the right way, which is to increase the justifiation of buying the system compared to the DS. 

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Even at $60, game developers get shut down.

[Mop it up]

The price is what I expected it to be, though still $150 more than it should be.

Yeah, but so it everything else unfortunately, even adjusting for inflation. For example, $90 in 1989 would be about $158 now. That Game Gear would be $240. If anything, games have gone up less than everything else. I wish games were cheaper too though.

To be fair, games used to cost a lot more to manufacture than they do now, because they used cartridges. Though I guess this is offset by how much more development costs are these days.

[ShyGuy]

You think it should be $99? Really?

[Mop it up]

That's the most I'd pay for one, since handhelds aren't worth anywhere near home console prices, but I realize I'm in a minority on that.

[ShyGuy]

Do you have a cell phone?

[Mop it up]

No. Costs too much, does too little.

[NWR_DrewMG]

$250 is above my limit of consideration.  On top of that, a handheld in which games cost $30-$50 feels like the past.   At some point, more people are going to wonder why Nintendo charges $30 for their games when they can get decent games on their iPod for $5-$10.  Slag iOS games all you want, but there are some damn good games on that platform, and a lot of them are less than 10% of what Nintendo asks.


For better or worse, eventually these two business models are going to collide.  Maybe the consumer will decide that Nintendo's games are good enough to pay 10x the asking price, but I have my doubts. 

[MegaByte]

It's interesting that Nintendo isn't even going to launch 3DSWare at first.

[UncleBob]

For better or worse, eventually these two business models are going to collide.  Maybe the consumer will decide that Nintendo's games are good enough to pay 10x the asking price, but I have my doubts. 

Agreed - and I think we're already seeing some of that, with the various shovel-ware producers complaining how their games aren't selling on the DS now.

However, there are some games (granted, mostly first party titles) that simply *do not compare* to what's available on, say iOS or Android - at any price.  Nintendogs, New Super Mario Bros., Dragon Quest, etc.

Sure, getting someone to pay $20-$30 for another copy of Bejeweled is going to be difficult - that's where we're (sadly) going to have to see the shift in focus to digital distribution.

[MaryJane]

@DrewMG
The iOS games should be making appearances on 3DSWarwe and there are "premium" games coming to the iPhone that are going to cost $30 or more.

The worlds have already collided.

[NWR_DrewMG]

Most of the iOS crossovers we've seen so far are selling for 500 points on DSiWare, or 0.99 on iOS.  I'm curious where you've read that this practice is going to come to an end?  I actually don't really see Nintendo allowing 0.99 3DSWare applications, because I would assume they feel that this devalues the product.  They're probably right.

Also, what iPhone game is going to sell for $30?  If it does, it will fail.  It is DRASTICALLY overpriced on that platform, and I don't think anyone will bite on it.  GTA Chinatown Wars cost $9.99.  Tiger Woods costs $9.99.  Madden costs $9.99.  These are versions with perhaps lesser controls than the DS versions, but better visuals (this will clearly change with 3DS) and similar feature sets. 

I'd like to see a link which backs up your statement.

[MaryJane]

Aren't the DSWare version of app games more fully fleshed out? And as I'm sure you know, 500 point is $5, and iOS has $9.99 games already, which could easily appear on the 3DS with upgraded visuals for 1000-1500 points.

Edit: I never said there would $.99 games on any DS.

As for my second point, I can't link from my phone so you'll have to use the magic known as Google and search for "Apple premium games section". It's just a rumor at this point, and the for now, the games are rumored to be $20 and not $30. I assume however, that as the iPhone/Pad/Pods get more powerful, they'll get more fully fledged games, that cost more to develop, and thus have to be sold for more. Since it'll digital distribution only, $30 came to my mind as the ceiling for such games.

[Kytim89]

The price of the 3DS is too damn high!

http://kotaku.com/5738402/the-price-of-the-3ds-is-too-damn-high-and-other-complaints

[Kytim89]

 
Too damn high!

[TJ Spyke]

I am concerned about the prices of the games themselves. I was OK with $30 for DS, maybe $35 for some. The possible $40 pricepoint is getting into PSP territory though and I wasn't the only one that didn't like the idea of paying that much for a portable game. This won't stop me from getting the system at launch and I will still pick up games I know I will like, but this could stop me from trying out games I am not sure of.

[GoldenPhoenix]

It is obvious, 3DS is going to fail like the DS was predicted to fail before its "rushed" launch and will be destroyed by, um, PSP2 like PSP did to the DS before it.

[BlackNMild2k1]

You know, history isn't always doomed to repeat itself.... or is it?

[GoldenPhoenix]

One thing I am curious about is whether the analog stick can be used for original DS games, would love to play SM64 DS with it.

[BlackNMild2k1]

We should start a thread about all the questioned that weren't asked or never answered so NWR can use some of those industry contact and get us some answers.

[KDR_11k]

Was the focus group composed of Ken Kutaragi and Kaz Hirai?

[Kytim89]

We should start a thread about all the questioned that weren't asked or never answered so NWR can use some of those industry contact and get us some answers.

I have plenty of those in mind.

[TJ Spyke]

I agree with the question GP asked. I bet the answer is no, but I hope I am wrong.

[MaryJane]

Just to be clear I wasn't saying Nintendo rushing the 3DS is a completely bad thing. Yes it sucks that certain features and games won't be there at launch, but overall it's better for everyone that Nintendo gets a strong foothold before competing devices come out. If Apple were to release an autosterescopic iPhone before the 3DS (or even announce it) how much incentive would there be for content providers to sign up for the 3DS? It also matters for games as the next iPhone will have comparable power/graphics to the 3DS regardless of the 3D aspect, and the trend in gaming right now is for phones. Nintendo needed to get the 3DS out the door as soon as possible. What they need to do next is make the case for having two devices.

[GoldenPhoenix]

I agree with the question GP asked. I bet the answer is no, but I hope I am wrong.

That is what I'm thinking, but I was hoping at the very least it would work like the d-pad controls in games. Not even close to being true analog control but beats using the control pad.

[Ian Sane]

When the DS came out it was clearly rushed.  I mean the only first party launch title was a port of an N64 game!  Come on!  I figured it would bite them in the ass.

It didn't and this won't either.  It's clear that for a product like this there is always a group of early adopters that will carry it for the first little while.  Eventually things have to shape up to get everyone else on board, but you really don't need a strong launch.

Or at least you don't if you already have a strong brand people are interested in.  I think a newcomer or a follow-up to a less successful product needs a stronger launch.  The PSP2 will need a strong launch.  The Gamecube is an example of a console that needed to make a much stronger first impression than it did.

Everyone loves the GBA and thus wants to love to the DS.  The DS gets away with blatantly coasting for the first little while.  The N64 is not particularly popular so people need to be given a reason to care about or even notice the Gamecube.  The Cube makes a weak first impression, fails to win the doubters over, and never really goes anywhere.

Of course the key is that you do deliver in time.  The N64 started out okay with a really awesome killer app at launch but it failed to maintain any momentum.

[Kytim89]

One the of the RFN members alluded to this and I am inclined to agree that Nintendo should not be offering N64 games that are over a decade old as full-on retail titles with the little bit of work they have clearly put into upgrading it. It would have made sense to put Gamecube titles like Wind Waker and Luigi's Mansion as tempoaray launch titiles and I would have bought them right away since I have never played them at all.
 
 

[Kytim89]

[NinGurl69 *huggles]

Do I hear $300?

- Japan for $300.

Do I hear $305?  310? 315?

- United Kingdom for $364.

3DS is not expensive enough in the United States.  It probably means we're getting the lesser quality version, and the superior Old World inhabitants are getting better online functions like streaming 3D pornography.

Get 'N' or Get Into a Higher Paying Career

[King of Twitch]

3DS Spot A** technology is not something you can put a price tag on.