Recently, Nintendo announced launch details in regards to the Nintendo 3DS. It’s out in Japan in February and in March everywhere else. This is still a lot of time between now and launch, but you may need to start saving your pennies now. It won’t be cheap.
Bucking the trend of Nintendo hand-held launch pricing history, the Nintendo 3DS will launch in Japan at the equivalent of $298 US dollars, which is about $100 more than the next most expensive Nintendo hand-held at launch. This also puts it around $100 more than a Wii and the same price as a PlayStation 3 or XBOX 360 Elite.
While I do cringe at the thought of spending $300 on a hand-held gaming system, I’m still going to get one on day one. The tech junkie/Nintendo fanboy in me wouldn’t have it any other way. To be fair, the Nintendo 3DS is also far more advanced than any other Nintendo hand-held before it, featuring a 3D screen, advanced graphical capabilities, the ability to play 3D movies, a Virtual Console service for Gameboy games and more. All things considered, this system doesn’t sound like something that anyone could offer for $200 or less.
However, pricing has always been a major advantage Nintendo has had over the competition. They’ve always managed to put their portables in a price range that mommy and daddy can buy their children one on their birthday or Christmas. At $300, this is no longer a kids toy. This is a tech luxury item in the same range as an iPod Touch or PSP Go.
Regardless of how amazing the 3DS is, I’m not so sure the masses are ready to drop $300 on a hand-held gaming device. Especially when this category of product is mainly considered a market for kids. I’m sure it will sell, but even for someone who has their mind set like me, $300 seems like a lot to swallow. Am I alone on this one?
In Third Person 