There was a lot of debate over the final price of the Nintendo 3DS after its Japanese launch price was announced at ¥30,000. The debate got louder when gamers and journalists realized that equaled about $370.
Fortunately, no one really thought that would be the actual price but there was a lot more arguing over what the final price would be. Would Nintendo release the 3DS at the premium price of $300 or give gamers a break and release its machine for under $200?
Nintendo sorted all of that earlier this year when it revealed that the price point will be $249.99. That's better than $300, but many still questioned such a high price point.
Things get more interesting this week after UBM TechInsights' breakdown of the 3DS' internal hardware that was revealed by Eurogamer.net.
In it we learn that it costs Nintendo about $101 to assemble the 3DS. This means it is selling the new handheld for about $100 more than it might need to.
In Eurogamer's article there are a lot of analysts and retailers that are quoted as saying that the price is quite fair and practical. And reading their comments you have to admit it all sounds very logical.
But what do you think? Is $249.99 a fair price for a new iteration of the DS? Is the prospect of playing 3D without glasses enough of a hook to override the cost?
Source: Eurogamer
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Nintendo has always been about the profit. The N64? Reasonably cheap to make, even though it was based on a costlier, outdated cartridge going forward. Gamecube? Cheap. Wii? Pure profit from the beginning. They’re a smart company because they always plan for today, not tomorrow. Instead of introducing extremely expensive, cutting-edge technology (and no, the glasses-free 3D is not new technology) and charging an early adopter fee in order to recoup even part of a big loss, they aim low and charge moderately. They don’t count their chickens before they hatch–something many, many other console makers have failed to do… Read more »
Dale, Do you think gamers are unique amongst hobbyists in the degree to which they become personally invested with games and game culture? For myself, SEGA and “Street Fighter” are touchstones of (if not bywords for) my childhood. Not Marvel and DC; not a handful of cartoons; not the myriad of books I read – SEGA and “Street Fighter”. My first trip to Japan was as much a five-day nostalgia bender as it was anything else. I had honest-to-god tears in my eyes when I happened upon my first vintage games store. I mention this only to suggest the way… Read more »
I usually try not to add personal opinion into news postings like this one. If it came off that way then my bad. I’m a capitalist. I believe something is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. It’s likely that many people will pay $249.99 for the 3DS at launch (and many months after) and others might pay more on eBay if supply quickly runs out. I have no problem with that. That said, that is a huge markup even if you consider the company has to recoup R&D and advertising costs. I think there are many that… Read more »
Howdy Dale, I am a longtime reader of Game Critics and love what you folks are doing over here. This is one of the handful of sites that I believe is moving the conversation about games into thoughtful, interesting territory. That said… At the risk of sounding obnoxiously pedantic, I take some issue with your suggestion that Nintendo is selling the 3DS for “more than it might need to.” Nintendo, like the vast majority of companies out there, is not a charity – they’re a business, plain and simple. If the market supports a $100 plus mark up on the… Read more »
Does that price account for R&D? Transportation? Advertising?
I’ve pre-ordered mine through Amazon (which is offering a $25 game credit bonus). As Dale said, market forces dictate prices otherwise Gucci handbags would sell for $20. My family is due for a new DS as my son is spending more time on mine (he’ll inherit my DS lite). Having the DS backwards compatibility makes the 3DS a sensible DS upgrade in that regard. It’s not uncommon to see families with multiple DSes. This is where Nintendo absolutely gets their target audience. Trying to determine the value of the 3DS based on the immediate lineup of games doesn’t quite jive… Read more »
the PARTS cost $101, it takes a bit more money to actually get the thing on shelves and to the customer while allowing Nintendo and retailers to actually make any money (and how dare a business try and do that).
remember when it came out that Kinect only cost like $55 in parts? similar difference here. the components for an iPad are also much less than what it retails for. hardly news on any of this but it does seem to be an emerging hobby within the gaming press to question everything Nintendo does these days.
…while the 3D effect for games sounds very cool, the minute I saw screenshots for the 3DS, I was sold simply because Nintendo finally put some muscle behind their hardware. Granted, it’s no NGP (which I will probably buy), but the tech backing this portable feels a bit more current. To me, the DS always felt like the SNES/N64, but existed during the GameCube/Wii era. Now, the 3DS looks like a Gamecube/Wii, so thoughts of a new Metroid-vania or Contra title make me weak in the knees. I think I just rhymed. A little. Overall, 3D could be awesome, but… Read more »
[quote=Sakilla]…does look like a PS2. Already.[/quote]
More like a PSX with AA, I play my PSP on the TV via component cables. Tho from what I see the 3DS is closer to the PS2 than the PSP. But no TV out an emulators will catch up fast to running it.
…does look like a PS2. Already.
Its 2 DS”s ductaped together and the price reflects it, its nothing more than a DS XI with forgettable 3D attempting(and headache inducing) technology, I am much more impressed with the PSP2, last go around while the DS was gimmicky it was less haphazard as this thing is. Oh sure it will sell well buts a god damn joke, I might could hold back my spew age if they put in a real battery but no…this is some bottom barrel tech makes the PSP look like a frakkin PS2………
[quote=Chi Kong Lui]While I was disgusted with the way Nintendo ultimately guided the Wii, I’ve owned every Nintendo portable system and hopefully that won’t effect the direction they’ve maintained with their portables.[/quote] Other than the original Game Boy, I’ve also owned (and sold) every major iteration of their portables. I got screwed on the first Gameboy Advance, which was awful. I got screwed on the first DS, which was heavy and awkward to hold (not that the Lite was much better). The 3DS hardware is already getting mixed reviews. Is it really worth it to be an early adopter when… Read more »
[quote=Matthew K]Other than the original Game Boy, I’ve also owned (and sold) every major iteration of their portables. I got screwed on the first Gameboy Advance, which was awful. I got screwed on the first DS, which was heavy and awkward to hold (not that the Lite was much better). The 3DS hardware is already getting mixed reviews. Is it really worth it to be an early adopter when you 1.) have a DS, 2.) the system costs $250, 3.) the launch titles are almost uniformly awful, and 4.) a better version of the hardware is probably 1-2 years away?… Read more »