I am happy that DS prices should stay the same, if anything game developers should be pretty happy because it should be almost impossible to emulate 3DS games on anything that doesn't have 3D display, and Nintendo has worked hard to stop piracy so they should get better and steady sales so a price increase for games won't be justified.


Japanese pay up to $71 for a DS game, thats FUCKEN CRAZY. I won't pay more than $40 MAX for a new DS game.

lets hope those price conversions translate over to hardware cost too when this thing comes stateside ;)

I was already predicting that 3DS games would be $40, and that looks to be true. Since at $35 DS prices were $5 more than GBA games, I figured we'd see another $5 increase.

Looks like Nintendo is admitting that the high 3DS price is because they know people will buy it, and not because it costs anywhere near that to manufacture.

One news report I saw jokingly said that next time Nintendo unveils hardware, act disappointed and maybe they will do a lower price. Iwata admits that the price is higher because of how excited people acted over the 3DS unveiling.

How do people in Japan AFFORD to game?

How do people in Japan AFFORD to game?

Or maybe they have higher-paying jobs.

Didn't Nintendo drop the price of the DSi and DSiXL to 150 and 170?

This move leads me to believe that the 3DS will not even cross the 200 dollar threshold and will most likely be priced at $199.99 along side the Wii.

It makes perfect sense that the games will stay the same price since they have found their sweet spot.

3D makes it more expensive. If they can charge you $3-5 to watch a movie in 3D they logic translates to 3DS and more expensive handheld and games. The 3D tech for displaying movies paid for itself when Avatar became huge, and the glasses probably cost less than $1 so 3D premium is the new rule.

They might think the larger difference in price may help perceptions that 3DS truly is a notable upgrade over the DS, from the general public.

I wouldn't expect them to sell them for $100 cheaper over here, unless Japan sales are truly underwhelming.  Remember, you can't just jack up the price of your system if you exceed expectations; it only goes the other way.

All it takes is a significant marketing strategy and the glasses free 3D will sell well at any price. But it's not just about the 3DS. Nintendo would love to continue to sell Wii's for the foreseeable future. Pricing the system, no matter how substantial the upgrade over the DSi, above the Wii is a bad idea; period. It'll make the Wii seem extremely inferior, as if it's not having that problem already. Plus it's all about making a notable profit on software, not so much on hardware. The more people that can afford it, while not dipping below profit margins, the more money you will eventually make. Pricing it significantly higher then what it costs to make is a very Apple strategy, but Apple doesn't make money off any software they make, only a percent of other peoples hard work. Nintendo on the other hand makes the most money as a developer; more than anyone else, in fact.

Now if Nintendo were to announce WiiD (Wii 2) this coming E3 then I don't see that as such a bad idea. In fact, it would be a very good idea because of the reason you stated, and it would show that the Wii is in fact inferior to the handheld. The 3DS would look like it is worth the extra money. It also segments the market for those who can't afford the 3DS but still want a game machine to pick up the bargain that is the DSi.

I guess it all comes down to how soon the WiiD will be announced.

$30 I won't mind, but $35 or $40 I will buy a lot less games. I already have too many DS games anyway.

I suppose the Japanese don't think about 25,000 yen the same way you think about $300.

As for the American price point, I've heard so many conflicting viewpoints on the matter. I reckon $250 is the absolute maximum that people might bite on for a new gaming handheld.
In the UK, the Wii did début at (and remain for a long time) £180, which is in the range where I expect the 3DS to land... maybe it will hit the £200 mark, but no more.

Software-pricing wise, I'm not expecting much of a change. I am also hoping for that; they generally cost enough as it is.

Speaking of high prices in Japan, £200 is about $317 US. I would be shocked if it is even that much in the UK.

Higher development costs always means higher game prices, so expect most games to fall in the 'premium' category of $50.

I don't see a jump of $10 for higher end games. The only 3DS games I could see being $50 are ones that require accessories, like the Guitar Hero On Tour games.

Higher standard of living, you'd think their prices on bread were insane too. Also from what I've seen Japan gets equally insane discounts on games that are only two months old.

are we forgetting one little thing that Iwata said during e3?

Converting to a 3d game doesnt cost that much at all and most games can easily be displayed in 3d


I know it was something like that, so the software will cost more in the developments most likely from the more detailed art in the games.

I would pay $100 a game if I could get them now!

I expect to see a lot of variety in pricing on the 3DS. Something like Metal Gear Solid will go for $40, but you'll see a lot of $20 and $30 games with smaller budgets.