Nintendo's Iwata Blames You for the Price of the 3DS

[Callate]

I don't think it's really that bad. Definitely not worth the kind of hysterical "AAGH, Nintendo has betrayed us" kind've hate some are displaying. I'd certainly like to see the 3D effect for myself before I'd consider buying it, and get confirmation on the feature set, but... If all they were offering was a DS with 3D capability for $300, yeah, I'd be annoyed. But the word seems to be that the unit has a significantly more powerful processor than the DS, allowing polygon-based visuals that don't look like chunky first-gen Playstation era Picasso-stickmen, something the current DS really can't. It also allows taking 3D pictures- which in turn suggests a far greater possibility of using the cameras for game interactivity than the largely pathetic attempts on camera interactivity made with the DSi. And it plays 3D movies, something that's only starting to be offered on specialized hardware that costs significantly more than $300 now. Before you say it, yes, I understand you may not want to see 3D movies hunched over a tiny little DS-sized screen, and fair enough. But for some people, that's not an insignificant feature. Myself, again, I'd like to see the 3D effect before I promise to buy one. I'd like to know more about some of the features- will it finally play MP3s, for example? How long is the battery life (doubly important if it is indeed a movie player)? Who has agreed to offer 3D movies for the 3DS?

Yes, $300 is a chunk of change. But if you were genuinely interested before, it shouldn't be a game-breaker. I think a lot of what you'd be paying for is actually there in that little piece of plastic and silicon.

 

[Zer_]

*Snip*

Well that's stupid logic. If that were true, then the PS3 would've been far cheaper when it came out. :/

 

[mjc0961]

Just remember, the next time somebody reveals cool new technology, act disappointed.

Yes sir! =P

$300 PSPGo - People: this is over-priced!
$300($298) 3DS - People:Alright thats cool.

I mean I know technicaly the PSPGo wasn't new tech like the 3DS is, but still.

Eh, I'm lazy today. You get link: http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/7.235534-Nintendos-Iwata-Wanted-the-3DS-Out-for-the-Holidays#8374591
Also PSP Go was $250

And for Nintendo, I have an idea to help get the price down if you want it: Take out the 3D gimmick. It's not the next evolution of anything, and honestly I'll be surprised if it turns out that more people leave it on. Eventually there will be a survey or something, and I expect it will be found that people turn it off.

 

[mjc0961]

Also, if this system can still play DS and DSi games, how is it not another iteration of the DS? That's like saying because the PS3 Slim no longer plays PS1 games it's a new console all on it's own.

*facedesk* Wow.

1. The PS3 Slim does play PS1 games.
2. It's not another iteration of the DS hardware because it will have new 3DS games that the DS line can't play because it's not powerful enough. It's like how the GBA could play older GB games, so why get a GBA when it's just another iteration right? Okay, enjoy trying to play GBA games on a GB, and enjoy trying to play 3DS games on a DS.

 

[Mercsenary]

$300 PSPGo - People: this is over-priced!
$300($298) 3DS - People:Alright thats cool.

I mean I know technicaly the PSPGo wasn't new tech like the 3DS is, but still.

Almost $300? F that. I never pay more than $120 for any handheld.

And yet people will still defend this to the death.

Fanboys, I hate them all.

I'm not paying 300 dollars to play the same games all over again, Nintendo. Come out with some new titles and maybe I'll give it a go.

So a handheld device will cost around as much as a PS3?

How delightful.

Do people really stop reading posts halfway through? Do they need to bold the big part where it says "the 3DS isn't announced at $300 yet, it was announced at the exact same price as the Wii and original PSP, but the yen is stronger these days?"

Nintendo makes all of its stuff in China, and has plenty of foreign companies in which to hold its money while it waits for the yen to go down. Japan always pays more for its stuff anyway. The 3DS will not be $300.

Reading comprehension, people. It's a good thing to have.

Yes it is a good thing to have... you dont have it though

At a press conference yesterday morning, Nintendo revealed that its highly-anticipated 3D handheld would come with a ¥25,000 price tag. Thanks to an incredibly strong yen that is trading against the dollar at levels not seen in 15 years, this directly translates to a slightly-uncomfortable Western price tag of $298.

... 25,000 yen =/= 298(almost 300 or so after tax)?

But hey I get it though. What you're trying to say is that it might not be that price when announced in the States and Europe.

Cool. Except you forget one thing. Gamers. Are. Pessimist.

 

[Kubblex]

I don't really mind. Here in New Zealand, everything imported is outrageously overpriced; for example, the DSi launched here at just under NZD500, which is about USD370. If they launch at NZD~410 (USD~300), I'll be more than pleased.

More to the point, I don't really want one. All it is is a gimmick, and I've already got a DSi.

 

[steamweedlegoblin]

3D has been around since the 50s with those stupid glasses. Are you seriously trying to tell me that glasses-free 3D is nothing new?

Yep. Exactly what I'm saying. The 3D part hasn't changed. It just doesn't come with glasses.

A turd sandwich still tastes bad whether it comes with or without corn.

 

[Rofl-Mayo]

A bit pricey but I heard it's a lot better than the DS and DSi, I'll wait for the price to go down then buy it.

 

[Cryo84R]

iPod touch is only 230$. Guess I will be buying my kids those.

 

[Autofaux]

Is it a popular thing now to do a dick move?

Also, of all the games available at launch, only one of them is a third party effort and its a remake.

 

[Assassin Xaero]

I'll wait a year or two, then buy one used... or off craigslist...

 

[kir4]

I'd still pay 300 for it when it comes out. Hell, I'd even pay 400. Its decent tech and worth it to me. The more features the better. I'd like to see gram for gram the 3DS matching gaming features of the iPhone.

 

[Crono Maniac]

Reason why I'll buy a 3DS no matter what the price:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mega_Man_Legends_3

Hell yes.

Other reasons include Kid Icarus, a brand-new Paper Mario, THREE new Shin Megami Tenseis (including a persona), and Resident Evil.

The chance to buy Star Fox and Zelda again doesn't hurt its cause either.

Call me a sheep if you want. It's gonna be a happy March.

 

[narwhalman218]

wow what a kotick move

 

[GuerrillaClock]

Hmm, while I admit this is not the smartest bit of PR ever, remember it's entriely possible the translation is a bit wonky. You should always take reports like this from Japan with a grain of salt, especially when there aren't any direct quotes in the English article.

Honestly though, I think, were it to be $300/£200ish (which, as people have pointed out, it probably won't be) it would still be worth it. I mean, you get something almost as powerful as a Wii, with all new 3D tech, HD cameras and the ability to watch HD 3D films without glasses! And that isn't even mentioning the jaw-dropping selection of games coming out. People will pay up for it because it has potential to be a real game-changer. I expect to see the PSP 3D within a year or two, put it that way.

EDIT: Not suggesting that the price tag isn't still a lot of money. I can see why people wouldn't want to pay that for a handheld, including myself, but then, looking at the features it's still hard to say it should be the same price the DS was when it launched.

 

[Mechsoap]

i might as well add $400 to the bundle and buy a master chief armour, but i properly wont be buying this thing anyway...

 

[oranger]

I'll wait for 3DSL anyway.

Yeah, c'mon people learn your damn lesson already: nintendo ALWAYS releases "new" versions of their products. Always.

 

[Charley]

If we all write hate mail to Nintendo, will that drag the price back down?

Their finance team must be smoking something..

 

[cartographer54]

I'll wait till they release a 3DSi XL Lite. Fail Nintendo and their stupid remakes. I was tricked into buying every single version of pokemon, and gameboys. Then I bought the DS original. I looked at the dsi longingly, and all my friends made fun of me cuz my screen wasn't as brightly lit as theirs. Screw you Nintendo, I'll get it once they bring the price down and make a better one.