Sonic Creator Thinks 3DS is Cheap

Tom Goldman

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Aug 17, 2009
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Sonic Creator Thinks 3DS is Cheap



For what you get in the Nintendo 3DS, Yuji Naka thinks $300 is a "fair price."

The 3DS might not have blast processing, but Sonic the Hedgehog creator Yuji Naka still thinks it's a good deal. In late September, Nintendo revealed [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/103851-Nintendo-3DS-Coming-in-2011-With-300-Price-Tag] that the 3DS would cost ¥25,000 ($300) in Japan, though Naka recently told CVG that he expected the glasses-free 3D handheld to be priced even higher.

"When I saw the 3DS at E3 I guessed it would be around 29,000 ($350) or 28,000 ($340) mark, but when it came out at 25,000 it was quite a bit lower than I expected," Naka said. "Compared to what it can do and the functionality it provides it is a very fair price I think."

$300 isn't exactly chump change, but the Wii was also priced at ¥25,000 in 2006, which equated to about $210 four years ago, so current conversion rates might be more responsible for the seemingly high price than anything else. Naka believes the price is fair because it's a "great machine."

"Apart from the gaming functions I like the communication functions and at the same time as a creator I definitely want to do something using the platform," he added. Naka is referring to the 3DS's new and improved wireless communication feature that can "talk" to other 3DS systems even when they're asleep to add or receive unique content.

The 3DS has surely grabbed the attention of developers that want to create brand new franchises, or at least update old ones to be seen on a small 3D screen. Naka also said he wants to "come up with a new game for the 3DS" because that's what it "deserves."

The 3DS is said to be more powerful than the Wii, which would make it Nintendo's most powerful system ever, so Naka isn't crazy in thinking that it should cost as much as or more than the Wii at launch. And while he has a point, I know that I'm not spending a penny over $249.99. Er, I mean, $199, if Nintendo's listening [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/103890-Nintendos-Iwata-Blames-You-for-the-Price-of-the-3DS].

Source: CVG [http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=268650]

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JediMB

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Oct 25, 2008
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I do have high hopes for the 3DS, and agree on not want to spend more than the Swedish equivalent to $249.99, which is (basically) 2,499 SEK. While 25,000 yen currently translates to roughly 2,020 SEK, I'd be deluding myself if I thought a we'd get it for that price, what with the Swedish VAT and the You Live In Europe and You Live In Sweden punitive fees.
 

Simple Bluff

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Ah, I misunderstood that at first (cheap = crap).
Anyway, whether I buy it or not depends on the quality of games released on it - and I haven't heard of many besides the remakes and Kingdom Hearts 3DS.
 

Zeromaeus

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Aug 19, 2009
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Hey! Hey! Sega guys! Jet Set! Do it! Doooooooo iiiiiiiit!

The price is fair-ish. I'll still buy it. Mega Man Legends 3 assured that.
 

Slaanax

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Oct 28, 2009
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I dunno, for a new piece of technology it seems like a fair price, give it a while we will see if it gets cheaper!
 

JaredXE

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Apr 1, 2009
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Ah, I too misunderstood what he ment by cheap. I was all set to agree that 3D was crap.
 

Tom Phoenix

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Whether or not it's a fair price will depend on if it has region-locking. I will only consider the cost worth it if Nintendo doesn't restrict our ability to import games.

That said, I don't expect the handheld will cost $300 in North America; $250 is the most likely price. I even have high hopes that the 3DS won't be too overpriced here in Europe (although it very well might be, given our retail -_-). While we have traditionally always payed much more than US customers, the DS line of handhelds also always costed about as much as it did in Japan. So a price point of 220 Euros is not an unreasonable expectation.
 

Zero_ctrl

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Feb 26, 2009
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Title doesn't quite set the right tone.
Might want to change it from "Cheap" to "Inexpensive" (Or something else with a bit better of a connotation)
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I bet the game he wants to create is a sonic remake, amirite?
 

Electrogecko

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Yea well apparently Japan pays nearly $100 equivalent for games so I guess it would seem pretty cheap there. My money's on $250 U.S and I'll definitely get it. I'm still playing my 5 year old original DS and every time I pick it up I think of all the ways the 3ds will be better....like every way feasible. Plus the touchscreen went a few months ago- when I drag from left to right across the screen, my cursor moves back and forth across the stylus tip and gets up to about 1/4" away from it at points.
Simple Bluff said:
Ah, I misunderstood that at first (cheap = crap).
Anyway, whether I buy it or not depends on the quality of games released on it - and I haven't heard of many besides the remakes and Kingdom Hearts 3DS.
New Paper Mario.....I'm sold.
 

Dys

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Sep 10, 2008
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I rather want one, but have the unfortunate circumstance of being a uni student in Australia...There's no way I can afford the inevitable $450au (~$449US) asking price....I'll consider importing one if they are region free.

That OoT remake has me sold...especially if it has majoras mask included.
 

AzrealMaximillion

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Jan 20, 2010
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I'm not spending $249-300 on what seems to be the "REMAKES IN 3D!!!!!!" machine. If Nintendo can show me that they can get 3rd party support for more than a the first year as well as lower the price tag, I'll maybe consider it.
 

mjc0961

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Nov 30, 2009
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Simple Bluff said:
Ah, I misunderstood that at first (cheap = crap).
Yeah I thought that at first, and I was thinking "who is this clown to say the 3DS is cheap" and then it got to the sub-headline and I was like "oh."

But I agree, I won't be paying over $199.99 because the 3DS is poo and eats babies. You hear me Iwata? Or maybe I should tell Reggie.
 

antipunt

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Jan 3, 2009
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Is anyone else here extremely 'insecure' about getting one of these things. It's worth so much. Best carry a knife with you so that you don't get -freaking mugged-.
 

Tom Goldman

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Aug 17, 2009
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Zero_ctrl said:
Title doesn't quite set the right tone.
Might want to change it from "Cheap" to "Inexpensive" (Or something else with a bit better of a connotation)
----
I bet the game he wants to create is a sonic remake, amirite?
Yeah you guys are right (but its TOO LATE!!!)