Nintendo Unveils the 3DS

[Rodster]

That's the price it should have been. Nintendo ripped a page out of Sony's playbook thinking since they are unstoppable they can charge any price and people will buy. Wrong !

Remember the PSP Go? Sony learned it's lesson and the Vita is priced right and so far preorder sales are strong. Now that the 3DS has hit the price point it should have been at sales will undoubtedly be strong. I may now pick one up with Zelda 3D.

[Naples39]

$250 was definitely too much, but I'm still not seeing too many compelling reasons to fork out $250 plus once you consider system costs, a few games...

[Murph]

I'm sure other mobile is part of the problem, But Nintendo should also look within.

http://www.cultofmac.com/hammered-by-ip ... ore-106465

[wco81]

It's still overpriced, for an opportunity to pay $30-40 for games on hardware which is weak compared to all the other mobile device options out there.

With reports of headaches and eyestrain out there, the biggest asset is turning out to be a liability.

Sony better plan for fast price/cost reductions for the Vita too.

[Rodster]

Sony better plan for fast price/cost reductions for the Vita too.

Why? The Vita is priced right and the games offer a much better gaming experience. When the Show, God of War, Uncharted and the rest of the Sony portfolio shows up on the iPhone then yeah they can start to drop the price of the Vita.

I have not found anything yet that compels me to play App store games. If anything the whole tap the screen and tilt the screen thingy has gotten a bit annoying and is a turn off.

[toonarmy]

Seems like analysts are all over the place in trying to explain this move. I think there are 4 factors at play here. 1) Main reason -- Sony shocked Nintendo with the price point of the Vita coming in at $249. I believe Nintendo thought that the Vita would be at least $50 more, so they could get away with selling the 3DS at $249. BTW, it has now been revealed that Sony have cut the RAM of the Vita in half to save money. 2) Lack of compelling games thus far. We have to remember that the DS did not take off like gangbusters until more AAA titles were released. There are quite a few AAA titles for the 3DS being released toward the end of the year. 3) The price was simply too high for many of the people Nintendo was targeting. 4) A lot of folks are still happy with their DS/Dsi machines. Sine there are a truckload of awesome games already on the DS/DSi, what reason has there been to get a 3DS at this point when gamers are satisfied with what they already have (this point goes along with #2)?

It's hard to believe Nintendo is actually slashing a handheld by $80 this early in the game, but it's a smart and necessary move. Nintendo giving the early adopters 20 free games (10 of which will not be available to anyone else) makes things ok for me. I've played my 3DS a ton and do not regret getting it at launch. The addition of over $100 worth of quality free downloadable games is a very nice bonus. I would think that sales of the 3DS will shoot way up once the price drops to 169 and the heavy-hitter games are released. Nintendo seems to approach its handhelds with the mentality of a marathon, not a sprint.

[Murph]

Sony better plan for fast price/cost reductions for the Vita too.

Why? The Vita is priced right and the games offer a much better gaming experience. When the Show, God of War, Uncharted and the rest of the Sony portfolio shows up on the iPhone then yeah they can start to drop the price of the Vita.

I have not found anything yet that compels me to play App store games. If anything the whole tap the screen and tilt the screen thingy has gotten a bit annoying and is a turn off

Tilting the screen, the Wiimote, Kinect, PlayStation Move, etc. It's all the same to me. Give me an 'old fashion' 360 or Duel Shock controller (and a couch) and I'm all set.

App gaming is the future though. iPad game sales are a legit threat.

[Rodster]

Tilting the screen, the Wiimote, Kinect, PlayStation Move, etc. It's all the same to me. Give me an 'old fashion' 360 or Duel Shock controller (and a couch) and I'm all set.

App gaming is the future though. iPad game sales are a legit threat.

Agreed about all the gimmicks. I tried playing tablet games and just disliked the whole experience. So if this is the future i'll have to take a pass on that form of gaming.

[btmmayor]

DOH!! Just had my 3DS from Amazon arrive two days ago. The family and I are taking a road trip over the next 2 weeks and I wanted to have it while away with 3D Ocarina of Time.

On the bright side I got a $25 gift card from Amazon which takes it down to a $55 difference. Hopefully the free games will be of some value to me.

[Naples39]

Having spent quite a bit of time on tablet gaming, I think Nintendo is very much under threat.

Touch controls are crap for action games compared to a dpad and buttons, so I don't see any threat to home console gaming. In the casual pick and play mobile sphere however, a lot of people will move away from Nintendo products. "Casual" gamers, like adults who might've tucked away a DS for travel or commute, and kids who played junkie software will be just as happy playing on their phones/tablets. The devices are more expensive, but they are multi-use and the software costs a pittance.

The DS was a slow starter, but I don't think Nintendo will get back many of those consumers.

[Rodster]

I don't think Nintendo is under threat rather they'll have to try harder this time around. Nobody in the videogame industry has the catalog that Nintendo has. I personally have purchased Nintendo devices to only play Nintendo 1st party games. And most gamers view Nintendo that way.

[Naples39]

I don't think Nintendo is under threat rather they'll have to try harder this time around. Nobody in the videogame industry has the catalog that Nintendo has. I personally have purchased Nintendo devices to only play Nintendo 1st party games. And most gamers view Nintendo that way.

But it wasn't gamers like you and me that made the DS so successful. The DS had a very wide audience, and the question is can they still maintain such a wide audience.

[wco81]

Miyamoto is only going to make games for so long.

Anyways, 20 million iPhones and 9 million iPads in the last quarter. Then tens of millions more Android devices at the same time.

If a dedicated handheld or console sells 10 million units in a quarter, even the mighty DS, that's scorching sales in gaming.

Then have to contend with massive mobile devices sales and cheap software and the fact that Vita's calling card -- console-like graphics performance -- won't last long before smart phones and tablets exceed it.

[toonarmy]

I don't think Nintendo is under threat rather they'll have to try harder this time around. Nobody in the videogame industry has the catalog that Nintendo has. I personally have purchased Nintendo devices to only play Nintendo 1st party games. And most gamers view Nintendo that way.

That's a good point. Maybe this will light a fire under Nintendo's butt and they will be less complacent. I wonder if they are now starting to worry a little bit about WiiU? I know quite a few gamers, not a single one of which plans on getting a WiiU. I also have to wonder if Nintendo will cut the prices of 3DS games down to 34.99.

[Rodster]

Then have to contend with massive mobile devices sales and cheap software and the fact that Vita's calling card -- console-like graphics performance -- won't last long before smart phones and tablets exceed it.

The key is the games and game experience would have to be massively better than what it is now. If the major game publishers dump the traditional consoles then it's possible but if it's left to indie groups then not so fast. I have been massively disappointed by the game experience on both the Tablet and Phone, not my cup of tea.

I think what you'll see in the future is 1 game console created and supported by Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft. That's also what game developers have been asking for a LONG time. They are tired of losing money making games for three different devices. There will always be a home console and handheld, my view hasn't changed.

[fanatic]

This is the way I see it...

The hardcore Nintendo gamers will likely stay on board - especially with the price drop and release of first party titles.

Hardcore gamers who aren't Nintendo freaks will slowly return as well, but in lesser numbers.

The casual guys though - I would think that a lot of people (including parents) bought a DS because they or their kid wanted to game on the go. The problem nowadays, is that every kid is given their parents iPhone as soon as they upgrade. Are they really going to demand a DS over the phone/touch/Ipad? When it was the only portable option in town, of course it's going to fly off the shelves.......of course, their success was also due to innovative and charming games. However, I have a feeling that kids will be happy messing around with Angry Birds, etc....

[Naples39]

Nintendo Apple's Latest Prey

The unexpectedly weak demand for Nintendo's 3DS hand-held player, which displays 3-D games without glasses and was launched with much fanfare earlier this year, are a setback for a company that had been betting on a new hit to turn around its waning fortunes. The company cut its profit forecast for the year ending in March by more than 80%.

Among traditional videogame companies, Nintendo is showing the most acute signs of pain from a wave of technologies on which games have become a central pastime, including Apple's iPhone and iPad and social games on Facebook Inc.'s social network. Those technologies tend to attract a more casual gamer with mobile-game titles like Rovio Inc.'s "Angry Birds" and Facebook games like Zynga Inc.'s "FarmVille" and "CityVille."

While games for Nintendo's 3DS typically sell for $30 to $40 each, mobile and social games are often $1 to $5, or even free, supported by advertising and the sale of "virtual goods" within the games. Games for those newer technologies are instantly available for download, saving people a trip to the store to buy cartridges, like those for the 3DS.

Nintendo, known for game characters like Mario and Zelda—has had problems before when new, more capable game hardware has emerged from traditional rivals like Sony Corp. and Microsoft Corp. Now Nintendo is competing in a much broader market where any device with a screen and Internet connection is a gaming device.

"The world is different today than it has been for every other platform transition in the past," said John Taylor, a videogame analyst at Arcadia Research in Portland, Ore. "It looks to me like the days of controlling a closed format that require the consumer to go out and pay a couple hundred bucks are numbered."

For me, the choice between carrying another device, and say paying $40 to play a 15 year old game in 3D (Zelda), or having my iPad and playing dozens free-$3 games is an easy choice.

[Slumberland]

For me, the choice between carrying another device, and say paying $40 to play a 15 year old game in 3D (Zelda), or having my iPad and playing dozens free-$3 games is an easy choice.

Same here. I choose to carry around another device and pay $40 for 15 year old games.

But I understand that I'm a dinosaur and my disdain for iPad gaming (though I love the device) puts me in the minority.

[Rodster]

For me, the choice between carrying another device, and say paying $40 to play a 15 year old game in 3D (Zelda), or having my iPad and playing dozens free-$3 games is an easy choice.

Same here. I choose to carry around another device and pay $40 for 15 year old games.

But I understand that I'm a dinosaur and my disdain for iPad gaming (though I love the device) puts me in the minority.

I'm also in the dinosaur crowd. I totally dislike Tablet and Smartphone gaming now that i've tried it. I'll take a 15 year old classic game in 3D over the casual junk that's on the Tabs and Phones.

[Naples39]

Don't get me wrong, iPad touch screen controls are junk. FIFA and Madden are unplayable IMO. You just play different games on the iPad, but there are lots of very good ones.

[Murph]

Don't get me wrong, iPad touch screen controls are junk. FIFA and Madden are unplayable IMO. You just play different games on the iPad, but there are lots of very good ones.

This. iPad is a fantastic product and I love playing the types of games that are suited for it. Madden and the like most definitely are not. Sad too, because iPad has the horsepower to pull it off, but touch screen controls simply do not work well for certain games.

[btmmayor]

Same here. I choose to carry around another device and pay $40 for 15 year old games.

But I understand that I'm a dinosaur and my disdain for iPad gaming (though I love the device) puts me in the minority.

Easy choice for me as well. My son has an iPod Touch and I've yet to play a game among the gigantic variety he has that has held my interest for more than a few plays.

My 15 year old 3D game and my 17 year old black and white game that I downloaded to the 3DS gives me a thousand times more enjoyment than anything I've tried on the Touch.

[wco81]

In that article that Naples posted, Ricietiello of EA is quoted as saying iPad is the fastest growing platform category for EA. That is why they spent $1.3 billion to buy Popcap games, beating out Zynga. There's a craze for social and casual gaming so all these smaller games developers are being snapped up.

The other part beside mobile devices are the social games on Facebook, which is hurting gaming cos.

Nintendo had sales of 3.6 million in the first quarter of 3DS sales. Then the second quarter it dropped to 710,000. Hence the price cut.

Vita's sales won't be sustained either. They will have a good launch and then a fast decline probably.

[Rodster]

Someone at CAG posted a briiliant idea. Buy one now and get 20 free games along with a price adjustment from BB or Walmart.

[toonarmy]

http://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0B0046F3F2235ED2

Nintendo is all about the 25th anniversary of Zelda. Full symphony production.

200 Exclusive VIP tickets are available at the $128.50 price on a first come, first serve basis. This package is for the ultimate Zelda fan and includes premium orchestra section seating plus a post-concert Meet and Greet, autograph session and photo opportunity with the stars of the show and exclusive memorabilia.

US $35.00 - US $125.00
US $35.00 Ticket + US $15.15 Fees =
US $50.15
US $125.00 Ticket + US $21.65 Fees =
US $146.65

WTF is up with these fees? I have not been to a concert in a long time so I am unfamiliar with charging $15 in fees for a $35 ticket.