3DS

Springboarding off this thread to continue here, Nintendo's Conference reveals the final details for the 3DS's retail release.

February 26, 2011 in Japan, March 2011 tentatively slated for North America and Europe.  Priced at ¥25,000, or $300 USD.  Two JP colors available at launch: Aqua Blue and Cosmos Black. 

The rest of the details, here.  A listing by name of upcoming 3DS titles, here.

And new trailers aplenty:

-3DS Features and Functionality Video
-3DS Software Lineup
-Metal Gear Solid 3D: Snake Eater - The Naked Sample
-Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition
-Dead or Alive Dimensions

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I was expecting a $250 price point for the thing, but definitely wasn't prepared for it being over that.  I may wait until they officially announce that sexy red color model, too.

I agree...The thing should definitely be closer to $250 than $300, unless they want to pack Kid Icarus in. Part of the reason may be because Nintendo cut their profit forecast for the year and the demand will strengthen their balance sheet because people will be willing to pay more (aka early adopters). However, since they don't really have investors in the US market, I predict we'll see a more competitive price in the US, especially if PSP2 starts making any noise. Whatever the case, I look for a $200 price point or so by next Christmas.

Last edited by GoldfishX (Sep 29, 2010)

That, or they think the US dollar will strengthen later on (as opposed to the 83 yen or so to the dollar now...which is really kinda pathetic), which would improve sales almost by default. I had been under the impression earlier this year we would see the 3DS here this year.

Despite the price, the resolution or whatever, it's highly likely this is the platform that will dominate Japan's domestic market and will pull even more franchises that have been previously for the console.

By 2020, Microsoft and Apple will have occupied 90 percent of the console market worldwide, eventually.

SonicPanda wrote:

I'm not sure I follow the logic here. The edge Microsoft had in the console wars evaporated quickly after the launch of the Wii and Apple doesn't have a gaming console and likely never will (just as well, because I despise Apple and its product line, stem to stern).

This.

Apple would have to get into console manufacturing in the first place to be able to say anything about that, and even if they do, it'll probably be a machine that is very appealing to the eye, but lacks any kind of common sense in its operation.

2020, despite sounding frightfully futuristic, is "only" 10 years away, and what has happened in the last 10 years in the console market?
Well, Sega's gone, but they were doing very poorly anyway, and MS entered the fray and is doing very good (except for Japan), but all 3 companies at the moment seem to be doing pretty well, and I don't see any of that changing any time soon.

And I hope to God Apple isn't so stupid that they would enter the console market as a FOURTH candidate.

Cedille wrote:

SonicPanda wrote:

Apple doesn't have a gaming console and likely never will

You know iPhone will be (or has already been becoming) another platform for gaming.

I assume Sonic meant an actual home console, not a portable.

Idolores wrote:

SonicPanda wrote:

Apple doesn't have a gaming console and likely never will

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

Except they did have one.

http://www.pcworld.com/article/125772-6 … tml#pippin

"Then, too, it was based on the Mac OS, so almost no games were available for it. And it cost nearly $600--nearly twice as much as other, far more powerful game consoles. Underpowered, overpriced, and underutilized--that pretty much describes everything that came out of Apple in the mid-90s."

OK, so except for the underutilized, I think some people would argue that the above quote still applies to all things Apple!

Does anyone know if the 3ds will be compatable with previous DS games? I know they probably won't be in 3D but I'm on board with the 3ds due to the announcement of Legends 3.

I'm still using an original Clamshell DS. It's all scratched now,  label is all faded now.

I've skipped on the DS lite, DSi, Dsi-XL, but held back.

Will get a 3DS for sure.

Smeg wrote:

I'm still miffed that my DS Lite's L button broke before it was even a year old. And $300?! MML3, you better be damn good.

Has that US price point already been confirmed?
Or are people just going by a rough Yen to Dollar conversion?

I wouldn't be surprised to see the US price come in around $250 actually.

Last edited by Amazingu (Oct 03, 2010)

Smeg wrote:

I'm still miffed that my DS Lite's L button broke before it was even a year old. And $300?! MML3, you better be damn good.

Mine broke after 2 years. I hope the 3DS is a little sturdier than the DSL was. All of the Game Boys were built like tanks, but my DSL is starting to fall to pieces. In addition to the perpetually stuck L Button, I also have the dreaded hinge crack. Right now my plan is to upgrade to an XL when the 3DS forces down the price, then pick up the inevitable 3DSL.

I'll be interested in seeing if the 3DS really hits the U.S./Europe in March.  I expect to see heavy demand in Japan cause the international launches to get pushed back, maybe to June which (at least in the U.S.) would be a better time to launch even though it would cause them to miss the end of their fiscal year.  It's also worth noting that the 3DS is the first all-new Nintendo system to launch first in Japan since the GameCube in 2001 (the DS and Wii debuted in the U.S.).

Jay wrote:

It's region locked too, which is absolute pox and just makes gaming messy. A real shame and a huge step backwards. Nintendo's statement on this was hilarious - "We want to ensure the best possible gaming experience for our users, and there is the possibility that Nintendo 3DS software sold in one region will not function properly when running on Nintendo 3DS hardware sold in another." Yes, because you've region locked it and prevented them from functioning properly, Nintendo.

Lame excuse... the PSP can run import games (I personally played Rockman DASH 1&2 on a 2000) and I didn't run into or heard of any issues. Again, lame excuse, the language barrier has always been enough of a lockout feature, at least for text heavy games.

Edit:

Quite honestly, if it wasn't for the European countries getting everything half a year late for some reason I don't think region protection would even be prevalent.

Last edited by Ashley Winchester (Jan 19, 2011)