Sold very well in Japan (I had a hard time finding one!) and I see many being used on the trains (though still more PSPs). I think the price is fair, as it's really quite an excellent bit of kit. However, I might be biased as I am still adjusting to the Yen at the moment and I seem to spend thousands each day...
maybe i'm the only one, but it's TOTALLY out of my pockets and will stay so for ages unless economy recovers FAST. Nintendo should have smelled it... don't go out with something overpriced in time of crisys.
The units available for purchase is pretty refreshing. I'd say it due to the new ipad. The usual scalpers who buy up all the units are standing in line at apple stores and not gamestops.
$50 higher than maybe most had hoped, but it wasn't prohibitive for me. They had record preorders, so the sales should be going well...
Any ideas of the numbers available for launch? Quite a few here on shelves in Dubai (which I was surprised to even see launched here this quickly) Not many games seems to be around, but picked up pilot wings last night and looking forward to playing if I get the chance this weekend.
They only charge that much because they know from prior success with the Wii that people will eat it up and pay it anyway. That's if the 101$ it costs to make estimate i've read about is true of course. I don't think the prices is THAT unreasonable honestly. I only wish they had more colors to choose from that appeal to me. And without the 3D effect on, it's practically a portable gamecube. I can't wait to see what developers come up with on it in the future.
Interesting that you should say that. There was an interview with Miyamoto someone posted earlier where he said there was a 3D version of Luigi's Mansion at one point. That said, I think it's more powerful than a Gamecube. It's just going to take a while for people to push it to its limit.
That's right, I remember hearing about that too. Sounded like they were toying with the idea of 3D games yet again with the Gamecube, but ultimately stopped since the hardware required just wasn't mainstream enough? Would definitely be interesting to see the 3D quality of that Luigi's Mansion build... Somehow I doubt it would ever get ported to the 3DS, as that game wasn't up to par in many peoples minds. Also, saying that the 3DS "cost more than a Wii" is a moot point. I have always played my DS more than my Wii, the quality of games that came out for the DS far surpassed any Wii titles in my mind. While this doesn't justify the 3DS being a tad expensive, it doesn't mean the Wii is any better for being a home console compared to an expensive Handheld.
It doesn't help but I don't think it's the main reason sales seem iffy. I think the software is what hurts the most (there isn't a game to justify the price). Lets not forget, a huge portion of the people who bought DS where casual players who moved on to the iPhone & Parents buying for their kids. Right now the DS is a far better proposition then the 3DS. DS did have this same issue early on in life.
I had a DS February 2005 shortly after its launch. All I had was Super Mario 64DS leaving a bad taste in my mouth with the forcible inclusion of "new" content. A straight port would've been far more pleasing. Few months down the line and I still didn't really have anything to justify that purchase. Have a DSi XL now and if it wasn't for my flash cart and the game library I do have I'm not sure I'd be keeping it.
Sales seem iffy? What planet have you been on lately? It's sold a record number in the USA, Probably Europe and maybe Japan.
There are already a bunch of people trying to unload them on Craigslist. Some are obviously scalpers trying to get $400 but there are a number who are trying to get their purchase price or slightly less back. I see plenty of stock in the stores. At my local Best Buy on Sunday (launch day), there was no one around the demo kiosk. Personally, I'm waiting for an XL version and more available games (e.g, Zelda, Paper Mario). The launch lineup doesn't look that good to me.
Moot point or not, the thing is damn expensive. Here in the UK for the same money you'd spend on a 3DS and a cart or 2 you can get either a 250GB Xbox 360S and game(s) or a 160GB PlayStation 3 and game(s). In that respect price is a very valid point. My main worry with it is going to be the quality of the software. How many developers can you see apart from a select few who'll endeavour to push the envelope concerning the 3D feature? The normal DS is awash with shitty gimmicky software based around the machines touchscreen capabilities, I can't see that changing with the new 3D aspect. And as for adding a region lock, man, the Nintendo of old rears it's ugly head again proving once more how much it fucking hates its customers. Trying to use soundbites like 'parental control' and 'age rating requirements' to justify their actions is complete and utter bullshit, it's nothing more than penny pinching and market monopolisation.
Based on what, a PR note from nintendo that was very sly on it's wording? 1) It was the best day one sales for a "NINTENDO HANDHELD". GBA/GBC/GB/DS first day sales where good but far from amazing. 2) Stores are abundant with stock. 3) Sales have slipped heavily in japan with PSP last week selling more units & software sales are poor. And of the two systems, PSP is the one that was/still is supply constrained. This thing is not going to be a Wii out of the gate. I'm sure once we get NPDs in april it's sales will be high not as high as people are expecting. Also (PS2/GBA/3DS jpn launch sales comparison, close to same time of year) http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=26812104&postcount=179 --edit-- Just to note, I expect things to pick up later in the year around the holidays when the software is better but for right now it's not going to be doing gang busters for the next few months.
LOL The cheapest CEX have on their website is £215 with the most being £230 but you can get NEW console only for under £200 in most places like GAME, tesco...etc and for £225 you can get NEW console and a game.
It is too pricey. Maybe they are just hoping to rape early adopters for some extra bucks. Or maybe they just feel they will get people to cave in and buy it anyway. I'm not paying $250 for it. The 3DS is bound to eventually get some games I'd like to play but it'll take awhile as the only games that are out now don't seem particularly amazing and the 3D aspect pretty much I don't care about after seeing it in action. Nifty gimmick, that is all.
