A surveyreleased yesterday by GetNews.jp revealed that 80 percent of Japanese gamers polled found the ¥25,000 ($305) Nintendo 3DS too expensive.
The handheld, which rivals (and in most cases, surpasses) the cost of home consoles, has been defended by Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata as having much higher production costs. In aQ&A at this year’s Nintendo Conference, Iwata explained, "We do not think the price relationship between portable devices and home consoles must stay intact simply because it used to be that way."
But while comparing the cost of the 3DS to the Xbox 360, PS3, or Wiimay not bea concern for Nintendo, it is for many gamers. Handhelds have long stayed below home console costs because their game's production costswere much lower.Iwata argues that this is changing with the integration of 3D, but it may not matter - as GetNews’ survey shows, spending $300 on a handheld may not be on many gamers’ to-do lists.
Oct 12, 2010
Nintendo 3DS launch date and price confirmed, rejoice and be merry fellow gamers
The headlines? It'll launch in Japan on Feb 26th for 25, 000 yen, with a March date for the US and UK likely
E3 2010: Hands-on with Nintendo 3DS
Pilotwings, Kid Icarus, Metal Gear and more
