Post by: NewsBot on May 14, 2004, 05:15:04 PM
Both EBWorld.com and Gamestop.com have added the Nintendo DS to their product lists. They currently have the system listed at a price of $199.99 with a ship date of 11/29/2004. Games are currently listed at $49.99, the same price as most new GameCube titles.
Both sites offer the disclaimer that "these prices and dates are subject to change", but early speculation suggests that the price will indeed land somewhere in the $150-$200 range. As for the release date, Nintendo itself has stated that the DS will be available by the end of 2004.
Post by: Felis Demens CCXXI on May 14, 2004, 05:44:19 PM
Tuesday = Thursday? That's the day Turkey Day is always on...
Post by: NWR_Lindy on May 14, 2004, 06:18:53 PM
silks
Post by: jasonditz on May 14, 2004, 06:46:32 PM
Post by: Perfect Cell on May 14, 2004, 06:58:08 PM
I also hope Picto Chat comes with the DS... Its a nice idea but too litle to charge full retail price on it, much better to include it with the package
Post by: Bill Aurion on May 14, 2004, 07:07:51 PM
Post by: ruby_onix on May 14, 2004, 08:01:53 PM
Everyone knows that GBA game profits are slim. Sony has said that they aren't going to be able to sell the hardware at a loss, if they want to keep the game prices in line with expected standards.
If DS games are more expensive, then the PSP's games will obviously be less expensive, which adds up to savings for the consumer, leading them to do otherwise crazy things like drop $450 on a PSP. Or, the PSP games might raise in price (and profits) too, which would give Sony exactly what they need to come down from that unacceptably bad price point.
At any rate, at least it's good to see some source pointing out that the DS ain't gonna be $450, just for all those people who you think should know better, but don't. (Just earlier today my older brother came over, asking if I had heard the amazing news that Sony had unveiled their PSP at E3...)
Post by: KDR_11k on May 14, 2004, 08:38:26 PM
Post by: Ian Sane on May 14, 2004, 09:09:04 PM
But I'm also not going to assume that EB or Gamestop are in position of secret knowledge regarding the DS price and launch date. They want to sell pre-orders ASAP so they're taking a wild guess. Nintendo's not stupid. They know people won't pay console prices for these things. Think about how expensive console game prices are in Europe and Australia. If Nintendo had higher North American prices they would have REALLY high prices in those countries. Portable games are virtually all they sell in those areas and it would be foolish to completely lose those markets.
"If DS games are more expensive, then the PSP's games will obviously be less expensive, which adds up to savings for the consumer, leading them to do otherwise crazy things like drop $450 on a PSP."
That's a very important issue. One of the reasons the PSX was more popular than the N64 was because the games were always cheaper. It's not the only reason but it was one that came up whenever I asked someone why they chose a the Playstation over the N64.
Post by: jonoas on May 14, 2004, 09:31:04 PM
Post by: StRaNgE on May 14, 2004, 10:15:21 PM
if games are 20-30 i'll buy quite a few. at 40 + i'll probably just buy more cube games instead.
Post by: ssj4_android on May 15, 2004, 04:35:27 AM
Post by: DrZoidberg on May 15, 2004, 05:26:26 AM
Quote
Think about how expensive console game prices are in Europe and Australia. If Nintendo had higher North American prices they would have REALLY high prices in those countries. Portable games are virtually all they sell in those areas and it would be foolish to completely lose those markets.
and then think about the angsting the PAL forum crew will do, and geez, we do enough about PAL prices allready, but to angst about three systems worth of high prices? umpossible! more liek UUUUUUUUUUUUUMF
Post by: jasonditz on May 15, 2004, 05:27:54 AM
If the games really were $50, I probably would not buy a DS at launch though...
Post by: nickmitch on May 15, 2004, 08:29:22 AM
I sure do hope they ain't right.
