3DS Catch-all

ccesarano wrote:

There's also the possibility that the 3DS is only meant for the hardcore tech crowd while the DS is meant for your average consumer, a la Smart Phones vs. Regular Cell Phones.

However, what came to my mind actually was...how much will the games cost? One of the benefits of DS games is that on average they are $30 a pop so it's not so bad hunkering down cash for them. But if their graphics are more bad ass and there is 3-D tech involved, are we going to be seeing handheld games for a premium $50?

How much do PSP games cost on average on release?

$30 for lower-tier third party stuff, $35 for first party, and $40 for third party stuff they think will sell (Square Enix games, Monster Hunter games).

There've been a few $20 releases. Patapon (and 2) is a quality example.

I wouldn't be shocked if most 3DS games launched at $40. I've paid that for a couple DS games (FFIV, Chrono Trigger).

Unfortunately, living in Nz, I wouldn't be surprised to see it launch for $500 Nz or more. We're already paying Nz $400 (just under $300 us) for the dsi xl.

ccesarano wrote:

There's also the possibility that the 3DS is only meant for the hardcore tech crowd while the DS is meant for your average consumer, a la Smart Phones vs. Regular Cell Phones.

That's what they said about the DS. It was going to be the 3rd pillar, with the home console, the GBA, and the DS. Lasted 6 months, tops, before everyone dropped GBA development.

As for the "small launch library" comments, this thing is backwards compatible with DS games right? That's a pretty big built in library.

Especially for those of us who were unsure about the DSi/XL because of not having any guaranteed carryover of downloaded games, and were waiting on the 3DS anyway... yeah, now we know we can transfer stuff so we could spend $180 now... or we could wait 6 months and spend $250. Seems like a pretty attractive purchase next spring. Don't there there are any dsiware games I am just dying for right now.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that it really will launch for US$299; I don't think the Yen is strong enough to let them do anything else. When Nintendo launched the Wii, it was also 25000 Yen, but at that time, that was equivalent to just US$215 -- the US$249 launch price was justified by bundling in Wii Sports, which the Japanese console lacked. Depending on how much you value Wii Sports, then, the Japanese Wii pricing was below, or at best roughly equivalent, to the US pricing.

Magically dropping $50 off the Japanese-equivalent price of the 3DS in the US market might make sense from the perspective of what people think the market will pay, but I don't think Nintendo's going to play that game -- if the Wii and DS have shown us anything, it's that Nintendo doesn't need to be aggressive on pricing in order to sell squillions of units. I don't know if that experience will extend to a US$300 handheld, but I'll be very surprised if Nintendo doesn't try its luck with it.

pneuman wrote:

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that it really will launch for US$299; I don't think the Yen is strong enough to let them do anything else. When Nintendo launched the Wii, it was also 25000 Yen, but at that time, that was equivalent to just US$215 -- the US$249 launch price was justified by bundling in Wii Sports, which the Japanese console lacked. Depending on how much you value Wii Sports, then, the Japanese Wii pricing was below, or at best roughly equivalent, to the US pricing.

I forgot about that. I doubt this'll happen, but it'd be cool if they packed in a game with the US/Euro releases.

Over $200 is way too much for me in regards to a handheld. My buddy who works for a couple gaming sites is a huge Nintendo fanboy and just like with the Wii, he'll be outside on launch getting a 3DS, so I'll just have to satisfy myself by checking it out once he gets it.

pneuman wrote:

...if the Wii and DS have shown us anything, it's that Nintendo doesn't need to be aggressive on pricing in order to sell squillions of units. I don't know if that experience will extend to a US$300 handheld, but I'll be very surprised if Nintendo doesn't try its luck with it.

You think? When the Wii came out it was $100 cheaper than the cheapest 360, and $250 cheaper than the cheapest PS3. That's pretty aggressive pricing. Their price drops have only been a slow-trickle because the system was selling so damn well anyway.

Also, I think Nintendo learned from Sony's mistake regarding too-high prices. First impressions are the most important, and I think the infamous Five Hundred and Ninety Nine dollars E3 06 press conference crippled the PS3 out of the gate.

The more I think on this price issue, the more I think that everyone should batten down the hatches for the PSP2's price.

garion333 wrote:

I forgot about that. I doubt this'll happen, but it'd be cool if they packed in a game with the US/Euro releases.

Shane Bettenhausen on a podcast recently (8-4play, the ex-1up guys in Japan) rumor-mongered that the system would be launching with a copy of Avatar. I think that might make for a crazy huge launch that gamers would be up in arms over.

garion333 wrote:
pneuman wrote:

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that it really will launch for US$299; I don't think the Yen is strong enough to let them do anything else. When Nintendo launched the Wii, it was also 25000 Yen, but at that time, that was equivalent to just US$215 -- the US$249 launch price was justified by bundling in Wii Sports, which the Japanese console lacked. Depending on how much you value Wii Sports, then, the Japanese Wii pricing was below, or at best roughly equivalent, to the US pricing.

I forgot about that. I doubt this'll happen, but it'd be cool if they packed in a game with the US/Euro releases.

When I was younger, I remember all of the consoles and handhelds having pack-ins. What was the first one that didn't? The PlayStation?

Blind_Evil wrote:
pneuman wrote:

...if the Wii and DS have shown us anything, it's that Nintendo doesn't need to be aggressive on pricing in order to sell squillions of units. I don't know if that experience will extend to a US$300 handheld, but I'll be very surprised if Nintendo doesn't try its luck with it.

You think? When the Wii came out it was $100 cheaper than the cheapest 360, and $250 cheaper than the cheapest PS3. That's pretty aggressive pricing. Their price drops have only been a slow-trickle because the system was selling so damn well anyway.

There's a difference between being aggressive and being cheaper than your competitors, though. When you consider that the Wii isn't vastly more powerful than the GameCube, which launched at $200 five years earlier, I don't think that pricing at $250 was aggressive, even once you factor in the cost of the motion control tech.

As you touched on, though, it's more the price history of the systems that I was getting at -- the Wii was US$250 for a very long time, and it's only dropped US$50 from there, while the PS3 has effectively halved in price in the same time. I'm not sure about the US pricing on the DS Lite, but it launched at AU$200 here, and it's been AU$200 ever since. It's fair to argue that Nintendo just hasn't had to drop its prices, and maybe Nintendo will be more aggressive with the 3DS if it doesn't sell, but I just don't think they have any interest in selling (or a need to sell) a new console at a loss just to build its market share a little faster.

I think it's worth remembering that Nintendo doesn't need to price this thing as any kind of replacement for the DSi; maybe it'll finally phase out the DS Lite, but the cheap Nintendo console isn't going anywhere, regardless of what the 3DS pricing turns out to be.

There are some answers to a bit of the speculation here over at ign (and it's been there since this morning, when I linked it on the 1st page of this thread)

Go here, or read below

ign article wrote:

Nintendo also detailed many of the system's functionality features. Below is the list:

Enjoy 3D images with the naked eye on the top screen.
You can adjust the 3D volume to change the 3D feel, and can also make it 2D.

A stereo camera that can take 3D pictures
Includes 2 external cameras. When you take 3D pictures, they can be viewed on the spot.

New input interfaces
Slide Pad, Motion Sensor, Gyro Sensor

SpotPass
When the 3DS is in sleep mode, the system will automatically seek out Nintendo Zone and wireless LAN access points and will grab information, game data, free games, videos and other things from the internet.

StreetPass
When the 3DS is in sleep mode, it will automatically exchange data with other 3DS systems. The system can transfer data from multiple games simultaneously.

Functionality For Use Without Leaving Games
Home Menu, Internet Browser, Notice List

A Variety of Software Built In
Nintendo 3DS Camera, Nintendo 3DS Sound, Mii Studio*, StreetPass Mii Plaza*, AR Games*, Activity Log, etc. (* temp; direct translation from the Japanese)

Download Sales of Games
In addition to buying games, you can view introductory videos and rankings

Transfer Over Software and Data
You'll be able to transfer your already purchased download software to 3DS. This includes DSi Ware games from DSi and DSi LL. Nintendo notes there is a limited number of transfers allowed and that some software cannot be transferred.

Backwards Compatible
In addition to playing games made for 3DS, the system can also play DSi and DS games.

Parental Controls
You can set play restrictions based off game ratings. You can also limit browser use and other areas. Parental Controls have been improved over the DSi.

The 3DS is scheduled to launch in February in Japan for 25,000 yen and in March 2011 for North America and Europe. Pricing details for those territories have not been announced.

Read more: http://ds.ign.com/articles/112/11241...

bolded parts are what some might find useful
/shouting to no one and everyone

mrtomaytohead wrote:

Functionality For Use Without Leaving Games
Home Menu, Internet Browser, Notice List

Very nice. Pull up gamefaqs without leaving the game you need help on.

I'm pretty surprised people think this think won't still sell truckloads if they release it at $300. Remember how almost every single jaded gaming journalist in the world (minus those that can't see 3D) was doubling back on their "I don't want no stinkin' 3D in my DS" comments after going hands-on at E3? I'd bet the same will happen with the general public interested in a handheld, and probably most of us. Glasses-free 3D is going to be a very alluring gimmick.

I'm sold at $250, probably even at $300.

Dyni wrote:

Glasses-free 3D is going to be more alluring than the ridiculously expensive 3d TVs that people are already buying or paying $3 extra to see a movie at the theater.

FTFY.

Stele wrote:
Dyni wrote:

Glasses-free 3D is going to be more alluring than the ridiculously expensive 3d TVs that people are already buying or paying $3 extra to see a movie at the theater.

FTFY. ;)

Yes, that too

The one thing of note is that parental controls means it's probably region locked - they did the same thing with the DSi.

Which is stupid. Who region locks a handheld machine?

cube wrote:

The main question is how quickly will Nintendo get their production ramped up and smoothed out, which will let them reduce the price? I'd wager Christmas next year as the first drop.

From what I remember, when the DSi XL first came out, the Nintendo warehouse I work in had begun working on making "refurbished" handhelds about three to six weeks before it was released to the US. And we were chipping away steadily at making swap kits for the black Wiis about a month before they saw retail stores.

In terms of price, I'm guessing Nintendo is claiming the $299 (conversion from Yen) price point now, but will probably drop the price before it comes to the US after seeing how it sells. They mark it high initially, and then surprise people with making it cheaper once production has become cheaper.

Dyni wrote:

I'm pretty surprised people think this think won't still sell truckloads if they release it at $300. Remember how almost every single jaded gaming journalist in the world (minus those that can't see 3D) was doubling back on their "I don't want no stinkin' 3D in my DS" comments after going hands-on at E3? I'd bet the same will happen with the general public interested in a handheld, and probably most of us. Glasses-free 3D is going to be a very alluring gimmick.

I'm sold at $250, probably even at $300.

It's not going to sell truckloads at 250 or 300, it's gonna sell but 3D is a big gimmick and not a good one at that and well there's some compelling stuff, it's not gonna be a big seller at all at least until they can drop the price.

Lard wrote:

The one thing of note is that parental controls means it's probably region locked - they did the same thing with the DSi.

Which is stupid. Who region locks a handheld machine?

NOOOOO! I only got to play Apollo Justice and Dragon Quest Joker and IX through imports, otherwise I would have been forced to wait months!!! :'(

Lard wrote:

The one thing of note is that parental controls means it's probably region locked - they did the same thing with the DSi.

Which is stupid. Who region locks a handheld machine?

The DSi isn't region locked, you just can't buy regional DSiWare games without a credit card from that country.

It's your fault the 3DS price is high!

http://www.andriasang.com/e/blog/201...

(Also thanks for info on the DSi)

I'm not sure about the motion sensor thing. Japanese train transport may be smooth as silk but it I doubt a game using motion sensing would would work very for the horrible roads a Boston city bus contends with. Of course I suspect it will get used about as much as the DSi camera, so it might amount to nothing.

If they put in some 3D special function for the new Pokemon game, this thing will print money for them. They can probably drop a 3DS+Pokemon Black/White bundle and sell it for 325, easy.

Atras wrote:

If they put in some 3D special function for the new Pokemon game, this thing will print money for them. They can probably drop a 3DS+Pokemon Black/White bundle and sell it for 325, easy.

I dont think Pokemon Black / White takes advantage of any 3d features. That probably eliminates it as a packin. Retailers may offer bundles though.

pneuman wrote:

I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that it really will launch for US$299; I don't think the Yen is strong enough to let them do anything else.

Nitpicking bastard here, but it's actually the opposite. Currently, according to Google, $1 USD is worth 83 JPY. The rate has traditionally been around $1 USD for 100 JPY.

Lothar wrote:

It's not going to sell truckloads at 250 or 300, it's gonna sell but 3D is a big gimmick and not a good one at that and well there's some compelling stuff, it's not gonna be a big seller at all at least until they can drop the price.

It's 3d without glasses. The #1 complaint everyone levels at 3d, wearing the stupid glasses. Every 3d movie or tv review I read yearns for the day when 3d will be without glasses. That day is apparently Feb 26, 2011.

I told my kids not to put any sort of DS on their Christmas wish lists, and now I'll tell them to save any Christmas money they get, and look for a used DSi (or maybe just a DSlite) once the 3DS comes out. A 3DS will be way out of their budget, at least at release. I rather expected that, though.

A Freespace or Homeworld or Twisted Metal or Wipeout would be incredibly awesome in 3D.
3D could lead to a new game type.
What I like in shmups is dodging stuff, now you can dodge in 3D.
And platformers, Dear God, how many of us have missed jumps in platformers because we were looking at a 2D screen?
Did you say 'all of us' my Lord? I thought so.

It has an internet browser apparently.
What is the internet for?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-TA57L0kuc
Who wants to bet there will be a 3DS porn site before launch?

Everybody's pissing on the price but I'm going to say that this is Day One for me, even at $300.
When they come out with a new one I'll sell the old one.

I never got around to buying a DS, so if it launches at closer to 250 than 300, I'll be an early adopter on this.

So what games is everyone pumped for? I want MGS3 a LOT.

This will sell and move beyond their March 4MM unit expectations. We are gamers with jobs...kids with money...thus I'm going to reserve my unit asap as well as buy some nintendo stock.

Street Fighter 4 will be the first game I get.