3DS

[joecamnet]

That's some good information to know when you come up in November.
Now I know to murder you and gut you for all the nickels deep inside your intestines.

[DR EGG]

Perhaps we would all feel differently about that price point if we played a 3DS?

[Trio of 9999]

Perhaps we would all feel differently about that price point if we played a 3DS?

True, I can't tell from the screen shots if it cooks steaks and washes dishes.

[dave auto]

Perhaps we would all feel differently about that price point if we played a 3DS?

A perfectly reasonable and intelligent plea, Chad. Nothing lends authority to critique like experience.

But my problem, and I fear that this is going to be the problem for many potential customers as well, is that beyond a certain price point, my brain no longer makes rational purchasing considerations; it simply rejects them outright. For any video game system, really, a sub-$200 price is the point at which I'm still making reasoned cost/benefit analyses. That's where I'm seriously thinking, "Hmm, I could actually own this thing; what games do I absolutely need to play to make this purchase worthwhile?" and so on.

But above $200, generally... them's macro numbers, right there. That's the point at which I can start admiring the technology all day long, as if it's some far-off thing, but I have no reasonable expectation that it will be part of my life anytime soon. About a year ago, I got to drive a really expensive car for a commercial. And it was awesome. I could totally appreciate the opulent details of the interior, as well as the significant differences in performance compared to the economy cars I'd driven all my life. But, although I enjoyed the experience of driving it, I was completely dulled to the notion of owning a car like this.

Many of you know that I have some... let's say, very particular purchasing habits when it comes to games My obstinacy may well be unique, and I understand that for many people out there, $300 represents a perfectly reasonable value judgment for their entertainment dollars. But my supposition is this: Nintendo has spent the last 21 years cultivating the very successful notion in people's minds that a handheld video game system has a requisite reduction in technological prowess compared to a home console, with a commensurate reduction in price to match. For the uneducated consumer, seeing a handheld that costs more than its corresponding home counterpart is all they need to know. Regardless of the specific number, or of the quality of the product, their minds, like mine, simply make the snap judgment "Too expensive."

[dave auto]

Then again, I suppose that one could easily point out that the average consumer has no trouble paying a premium for the portability of a laptop that may not match the specs of a desktop. Touché. Suffice it to say, no handheld video game system that has banked on this notion has ever become the market leader, and it will be Nintendo's uphill battle to convince consumers otherwise.

[Trio of 9999]

All very good points, Dave. However, it still comes down to a very simple deduction for me. I am not comparing the 3DS to any other price points at this time. Yes, this is a great form of rationalization when purchasing new consoles and entertainment devices, but even if I did so for the 3DS, it wouldn't measure up. I could compare it to my iPhone, which I paid less than 100 dollars for, and I could muster a good case for how that device is worth spending more money on than the 3DS. Also, I don't quite understand the comparison to the Wii, since the 3DS is not meant to be a portable version of the system.

It's not that I necessarily think that just because something is portable, it should cost less. There is a majority of people spending well over 500 dollars on new mobile devices everyday. I'm confident that the 3DS, no matter how limited, does what it does VERY well. I understand your analogy of the sports car, and can relate in multiple situations. I have even said "they could charge whatever they want for this ____, and it would be worth every penny." Although, I think some of this is situational, because for me, this is still a game system, and it's not something I can see myself using consistently for the next 5 - 10 years. Return on investment is a big factor in large purchases for people, and I know there are people that can say they will play this system everyday as much as possible, until it breaks. However, those are the same people that would most likely pay any amount to get their hands on it on day one.

Nintendo needs to make a profit here, and for the technology they contained in the unit, I am sure they feel justified in whatever price they will set in different countries. But we have had this same conversation about PS3s and 360s and PSPGos, and will continue to do so as introductory prices climb higher and higher, and our economy gets worse and worse. Even at 200 dollars... I can do a lot with 200 dollars.... I don't have a magical number that I would like the system to be, but I know what my comfort zone is for different products I plan on buying. I'm sure playing it would make me say "Wow, this is awesome, I want this," but coerce me to fork over hundreds of dollars? I doubt it.

[Ekkebus]

See, that's kind of what I keep coming back to, specifically when it comes to comparing the 3DS to my phone. Maybe its an unfair comparison, maybe its apples and oranges but my phone cost $200 and has a much broader set of features that interest me as opposed to the 3DS which I would basically use solely as a game machine.

[Juese]

The difference for me in this cost analysis is that I wouldn't be paying a monthly fee on my 3DS. Depending on your plan, I'm assuming it's an extra 30-40 a month, maybe more. I'm much more likely to drop $250 on a system then $100 with 5 months of service. Of course there's the matter of what you're looking for, as I'm much more interested in a devoting gaming device than an all-in-one, until that all-in-one has games I want to play as much as a Nintendo portable.

[Ekkebus]

Keep in mind though while 3DS doesn't have an ongoing monthly fee, it does require you to buy games if you're going to enjoy the device. I mean, I'm just saying the costs kind of offset.

[Trio of 9999]

Keep in mind though while 3DS doesn't have an ongoing monthly fee, it does require you to buy games if you're going to enjoy the device. I mean, I'm just saying the costs kind of offset.

Exactly how I was going to respond to that point.

[King wiL]

depending on the pricing over here, i'll probably get one as i want a new DS anyway to replace my sexy red Lite that's coughing a slow death, so i might as well hold off and get a 3DS, if they're less than £150. Any more is a rip off.

Also the 3D slider will be getting turned to off and never going on. i might see how long i can go before curiosity gets the better of me and i see how the 3D works. It'd be a fun game, fighting off the curiosity. Also it'd be funny in conversation :
"Hey you got a 3DS months ago wiL, how's the 3D?"
"I don't know, i've never turned the 3D on."
"You're crazy"
"yep. thats how much i don't care about 3D, i just want a more powerful and shiny new DS with the DSiware store so i can buy My Notebook in several styles"
(The My Notebook part was a joke. Thanks Giant Bomb. lol)

[cacomistle]

im still deciding if i'll get one right away. definitely gonna be rad, but it's a lot of money.
i wish they had better launch colors. like that orange one

[King wiL]

Still no pricing over here yet. Besides, I like to get one thats not the same colour as everyone elses, so I may wait for a limited edition one or a special game bundle one. Plus I barely play my regular ds at the mo anyway, I go through phases. I'll be bringing my lite with me to the states though. I'm assuming it won't be a problem finding someone with a charger, seeing as i'm coming to see you lot. Lol. I'd bring my own but It won't fit in your wierd foreign plug sockets. And I know all about plug sockets, I'm a fully qualified professional electrician, I Knows my stuff.

[Ekkebus]

Officially releasing March 27th. Officially $250.

Most of the software that I'm looking forward to won't be available in the early launch period. Pretty easy for me to say I'll be waiting a bit on this one.

[Juese]

Exactly my thought. I'm glad to see it 50 bucks cheaper than I thought, but I don't even need to think about it until Kid Icarus or Paper Mario.