Nintendo 3DS Coming in 2011 With $300 Price Tag

[Plinglebob]

I'll probably end up resisting my fanboy urges and wait a while before this mainly because I have a DS that I rarely play as it is (despite having a large library of games) so I doubt I would play the 3DS very much.

 

[008Zulu_v1legacy]

Wait 3 days and there'll be a 3DsXP or something with bigger screens and a microwave built in.

Kickass, I hate having to get up to get my hotpockets out of the microwave.

Nintendo is really stepping up their game with the 3DS, all Sony has is the PSP2. Odds are it wont be backwards compatible, or if it is, they will patch it out at a later date.

 

[Delusibeta]

Ultimately, I can see this being a mad success if it launched in the UK for about £200.

 

[Rednog]

$300 is roughly £190 here in the UK however I would expect a £250 price tag for us Brits. I don't think they would have to balls to charge £300 for a handheld console. As for the virtual console why stop at GBA games, why not have SNES, NES and N64 games?

Because that requires actual work/coding to make the games playable for the 3DS, you can't simply download it and expect it to run. Either recode the games or they would have to put somekind of emulator into the hardware, and emulators take up a good chunk of power from hardware. Hell the PSP is a powerful little machine and it chugs horrendously with N64 emulators and some SNES games. Whereas GB/GBA games are pretty piss easy to emulate.
It's more work than Nintendo is probably willing to do, and you also would have to somehow rework a majority of the control schemes for many N64 games.

 

[Electrogecko]

I totally called the GB+GBA VC on it, but I also called a 2010 release soo....oh well. Thinking about it now, it would seem strange to launch a new handheld in the same time frame as a new Kirby, DK, and Epic Mickey. 2 games were announced on the VC- Link's Awakening DX (awesome) and Super Mario Land (I think the only Mario game I've never played- FUCK YES) both with 3d visuals.

 

[Z of the Na'vi]

Wake me when this flops and Nintendo go bankrupt.

Enjoy your coma!

OT: Personally, I don't believe the price tag is all that bad. I really think it's reasonable considering the sheer amount of power inside such a device. On top of that, it's going to have an enhanced portable remake of Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time!

If that is possible, then I am sold.

 

[BrunDeign]

Remember when GameStop had that thing where if you turned in your DS you got like 50-100 dollars off the price of the DSi?

I wonder if they'd do that again?

 

[HentMas]

wait... it costs what the sness and psone costed at launch??

holy... i cant believe it!...

still... its a nice piece of eq, and i just bought a DSI XL...

 

[xyrafhoan]

The $300 won't dissuade me when the specs of this thing practically make it a portable, 3D PS2 with THE POSSIBILITY TO DOWNLOAD MOTHER 3. 40 hours of work, even at minimum wage, covers the price tag easily, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to get way more than 40 hours of value of this thing.

 

[Worgen]

ugh 300, damn, I was really hoping it would be like 200 or 250.... I still effin want it but... stupid job market

 

[Tom Phoenix]

I'd say this thing is going to be a disaster but Nintendo seems to be able to mostly avoid that. I wasn't a huge fan of 2 screens to begin with, and touch screens annoy me more but now 3D just buries it for me I've got zero interest in this besides Megaman Legends 3 is coming out for it.

Also, I don't know why ANY of you are planning on buying this the day it comes out, haven't you learned yet?

GBA, GBASP, GBA Micro, GBA SP+

DS, DS Lite, DSi, DSiXL

Wait 3 days and there'll be a 3DsXP or something with bigger screens and a microwave built in.

An important point you seem to be missing is that not every new version of a handheld was necessarily better from the previous one. Sure, there were improvements and extra features, but those features weren't necessarilly important for everyone.

Now, granted, the Game Boy Advance line of handhelds was preety evolutionary for the most part. The SP in particular was superior to the original Advance in every way, especially since it got rid of the requirement for 4 AA bateries by including a Lithium Ion one. But the Micro was already in many ways a tradeoff from the SP and which one you wanted depended on your preference. While it was more portable and featured a customizable faceplate, a backlit screen and a standard headphone jack (the SP required a special adapter to use headphone), it also sacrificed SP's larger screen size as well as GB/GBC backwards compatibility (plus, the SP+ that was released around the same time as the Micro also had a backlit screen).

With the DS line, the differences between various versions became even less crucial and more based on preference. For example, the only advantage the Lite had over the original DS was the slimmer form factor. While a more compact handheld is always nice, it isn't exactly the kind of upgrade that everyone would see a need for. Don't get me started on the DSi, which essentially sacrificed backwards GBA compatibility and cut the battery life for a camera, SD card slot and online functionality....a tradeoff that not everyone (especially many gamers) would be willing to make. While the DSi also has improved hardware specs, the fact that most game developers developed games for the entire DS line in mind makes that a rather moot point. The XL/LL model isn't even worth mentioning....it's just a DSi with a bigger screen size.

Simply put, it's not worth bothering yourself with whether or not a "better" version of the handheld might come out in two years or so, beacuse there is no guaruantee that it will include things you actually care about. So if someone is interested in obtaining the 3DS, they might as well buy it. Besides, if they ever grow interested in one of the later versions, they can always sell their original 3DS.

 

[Korey Von Doom]

Wait so did they make it more powerful or just add in 3D and the ability to play games from a handheld you could get for $10?

Either way I think I'll just wait for the PSP2 since I don't really care much for rehashes of old games.

 

[mjc0961]

Another new functionality added to the 3DS is the ability to pause a game to multitask, perhaps switching to the web browser or camera, after which players can jump right back into their games.

Oh awesome! First time I've heard of it doing that, but it's a welcome addition. One of the best feature of the PSP Go, I think. Pretty damn stupid of Sony not to bring it to all PSPs.

 

[Snotnarok]

I'd say this thing is going to be a disaster but Nintendo seems to be able to mostly avoid that. I wasn't a huge fan of 2 screens to begin with, and touch screens annoy me more but now 3D just buries it for me I've got zero interest in this besides Megaman Legends 3 is coming out for it.

Also, I don't know why ANY of you are planning on buying this the day it comes out, haven't you learned yet?

GBA, GBASP, GBA Micro, GBA SP+

DS, DS Lite, DSi, DSiXL

Wait 3 days and there'll be a 3DsXP or something with bigger screens and a microwave built in.

An important point you seem to be missing is that not every new version of a handheld was necessarily better from the previous one. Sure, there were improvements and extra features, but those features weren't necessarilly important for everyone.

Now, granted, the Game Boy Advance line of handhelds was preety evolutionary for the most part. The SP in particular was superior to the original Advance in every way, especially since it got rid of the requirement for 4 AA bateries by including a Lithium Ion one. But the Micro was already in many ways a tradeoff from the SP and which one you wanted depended on your preference. While it was more portable and featured a customizable faceplate, a backlit screen and a standard headphone jack (the SP required a special adapter to use headphone), it also sacrificed SP's larger screen size as well as GB/GBC backwards compatibility (plus, the SP+ that was released around the same time as the Micro also had a backlit screen).

With the DS line, the differences between various versions became even less crucial and more based on preference. For example, the only advantage the Lite had over the original DS was the slimmer form factor. While a more compact handheld is always nice, it isn't exactly the kind of upgrade that everyone would see a need for. Don't get me started on the DSi, which essentially sacrificed backwards GBA compatibility and cut the battery life for a camera, SD card slot and online functionality....a tradeoff that not everyone (especially many gamers) would be willing to make. While the DSi also has improved hardware specs, the fact that most game developers developed games for the entire DS line in mind makes that a rather moot point. The XL/LL model isn't even worth mentioning....it's just a DSi with a bigger screen size.

Simply put, it's not worth bothering yourself with whether or not a "better" version of the handheld might come out in two years or so, beacuse there is no guaruantee that it will include things you actually care about. So if someone is interested in obtaining the 3DS, they might as well buy it. Besides, if they ever grow interested in one of the later versions, they can always sell their original 3DS.

Thanks for the essay, but the next model is always better with the only exceptions being the DSi and the GBA Micro, the GBA SP was mandatory as upgrades go, because you couldn't see the god damn screen unless you were on the sun. The DS Lite was mandatory since the DS felt like a flimsy tiger electronic toy, and the screens might as well have been game and watch style they were so dark and cruddy. The DSiXL looks pretty awesome to me vs any of the DSs since it's got a nice bigger screen. Doesn't have a GBA adapter? That's a shame because I'd rather play on my GBA anyway.

Either way what you gave me was a long winded opinion and why you're going to run out and buy a 3DS day one, if you're going to buy it you don't need my permission, go ahead. Personally I have better places to spend 300 dollars than on another device that costs more than a 360 or PS3, that's far too expensive.

Personally I think the GBA is a far better handheld than the DS and the 3DS, it was simple GEnesis/Super Nintendo style games and honestly I dont really like the two screens, I hate touch screen games and I don't like 3D so it's a waste for me.

 

[mad825]

*sigh*

I'm still waiting for those battery specs.......

...Oh....looks like I'm still waiting....

 

[FloodOne]

Holy hell, did Sony price this thing? I wonder if Nintendo will start regurgitating the "value" marketing that Sony tried with the ps3.

 

[Tom Phoenix]

I'd say this thing is going to be a disaster but Nintendo seems to be able to mostly avoid that. I wasn't a huge fan of 2 screens to begin with, and touch screens annoy me more but now 3D just buries it for me I've got zero interest in this besides Megaman Legends 3 is coming out for it.

Also, I don't know why ANY of you are planning on buying this the day it comes out, haven't you learned yet?

GBA, GBASP, GBA Micro, GBA SP+

DS, DS Lite, DSi, DSiXL

Wait 3 days and there'll be a 3DsXP or something with bigger screens and a microwave built in.

An important point you seem to be missing is that not every new version of a handheld was necessarily better from the previous one. Sure, there were improvements and extra features, but those features weren't necessarilly important for everyone.

Now, granted, the Game Boy Advance line of handhelds was preety evolutionary for the most part. The SP in particular was superior to the original Advance in every way, especially since it got rid of the requirement for 4 AA bateries by including a Lithium Ion one. But the Micro was already in many ways a tradeoff from the SP and which one you wanted depended on your preference. While it was more portable and featured a customizable faceplate, a backlit screen and a standard headphone jack (the SP required a special adapter to use headphone), it also sacrificed SP's larger screen size as well as GB/GBC backwards compatibility (plus, the SP+ that was released around the same time as the Micro also had a backlit screen).

With the DS line, the differences between various versions became even less crucial and more based on preference. For example, the only advantage the Lite had over the original DS was the slimmer form factor. While a more compact handheld is always nice, it isn't exactly the kind of upgrade that everyone would see a need for. Don't get me started on the DSi, which essentially sacrificed backwards GBA compatibility and cut the battery life for a camera, SD card slot and online functionality....a tradeoff that not everyone (especially many gamers) would be willing to make. While the DSi also has improved hardware specs, the fact that most game developers developed games for the entire DS line in mind makes that a rather moot point. The XL/LL model isn't even worth mentioning....it's just a DSi with a bigger screen size.

Simply put, it's not worth bothering yourself with whether or not a "better" version of the handheld might come out in two years or so, beacuse there is no guaruantee that it will include things you actually care about. So if someone is interested in obtaining the 3DS, they might as well buy it. Besides, if they ever grow interested in one of the later versions, they can always sell their original 3DS.

Thanks for the essay, but the next model is always better with the only exceptions being the DSi and the GBA Micro, the GBA SP was mandatory as upgrades go, because you couldn't see the god damn screen unless you were on the sun. The DS Lite was mandatory since the DS felt like a flimsy tiger electronic toy, and the screens might as well have been game and watch style they were so dark and cruddy. The DSiXL looks pretty awesome to me vs any of the DSs since it's got a nice bigger screen. Doesn't have a GBA adapter? That's a shame because I'd rather play on my GBA anyway.

Either way what you gave me was a long winded opinion and why you're going to run out and buy a 3DS day one, if you're going to buy it you don't need my permission, go ahead. Personally I have better places to spend 300 dollars than on another device that costs more than a 360 or PS3, that's far too expensive.

Personally I think the GBA is a far better handheld than the DS and the 3DS, it was simple GEnesis/Super Nintendo style games and honestly I dont really like the two screens, I hate touch screen games and I don't like 3D so it's a waste for me.

Em....I never wrote any of this with the intention of "gaining your permission". My entire point was to refute your idea that every new handheld model is automatically superior to the previous one and you yourself have admitted that the DSi and Micro were hardly a "necessity". You can throw in the DSi XL in there as well. Yes, a larger sceen is nice, but far from a "mandatory" upgrade (at least compared to how the SP was).

Personally, I haven't decided whether or not I am going to buy it. While I cannot deny that I see great potential in the 3DS and that the software lineup is absolutely stellar, the steep price (which will likely be even steeper in Europe) puts me off somewhat. Plus, we still don't know whether or not it will be region-locked. If it does turn out to be region-locked, that would almost certainly be a deal-breaker for me, since I am an import gamer.

I absolutely agree with you that the Game Boy Advance was a fantastic handheld. I have a Micro and I love it to death; never regretted the purchase. But while I am also not crazy over the touch screen, I do think that some games benefit greatly from having two screens. Turn-based strategies and strategy RPGs, for example, become much easier to play, since the dual screens allow you to see more information at a glance as opposed to having to rely on various buttong "shortcuts".

As for the stereoscopic 3D, I can't really judge it until I have seen it with my own eyes. I do think it has potential to enhance modern games (if nothing else, I see more potential for 3D in gaming than I do in cinema), but I would have to see it for myself to know for certain.

 

[Snotnarok]

I'd say this thing is going to be a disaster but Nintendo seems to be able to mostly avoid that. I wasn't a huge fan of 2 screens to begin with, and touch screens annoy me more but now 3D just buries it for me I've got zero interest in this besides Megaman Legends 3 is coming out for it.

Also, I don't know why ANY of you are planning on buying this the day it comes out, haven't you learned yet?

GBA, GBASP, GBA Micro, GBA SP+

DS, DS Lite, DSi, DSiXL

Wait 3 days and there'll be a 3DsXP or something with bigger screens and a microwave built in.

An important point you seem to be missing is that not every new version of a handheld was necessarily better from the previous one. Sure, there were improvements and extra features, but those features weren't necessarilly important for everyone.

Now, granted, the Game Boy Advance line of handhelds was preety evolutionary for the most part. The SP in particular was superior to the original Advance in every way, especially since it got rid of the requirement for 4 AA bateries by including a Lithium Ion one. But the Micro was already in many ways a tradeoff from the SP and which one you wanted depended on your preference. While it was more portable and featured a customizable faceplate, a backlit screen and a standard headphone jack (the SP required a special adapter to use headphone), it also sacrificed SP's larger screen size as well as GB/GBC backwards compatibility (plus, the SP+ that was released around the same time as the Micro also had a backlit screen).

With the DS line, the differences between various versions became even less crucial and more based on preference. For example, the only advantage the Lite had over the original DS was the slimmer form factor. While a more compact handheld is always nice, it isn't exactly the kind of upgrade that everyone would see a need for. Don't get me started on the DSi, which essentially sacrificed backwards GBA compatibility and cut the battery life for a camera, SD card slot and online functionality....a tradeoff that not everyone (especially many gamers) would be willing to make. While the DSi also has improved hardware specs, the fact that most game developers developed games for the entire DS line in mind makes that a rather moot point. The XL/LL model isn't even worth mentioning....it's just a DSi with a bigger screen size.

Simply put, it's not worth bothering yourself with whether or not a "better" version of the handheld might come out in two years or so, beacuse there is no guaruantee that it will include things you actually care about. So if someone is interested in obtaining the 3DS, they might as well buy it. Besides, if they ever grow interested in one of the later versions, they can always sell their original 3DS.

Thanks for the essay, but the next model is always better with the only exceptions being the DSi and the GBA Micro, the GBA SP was mandatory as upgrades go, because you couldn't see the god damn screen unless you were on the sun. The DS Lite was mandatory since the DS felt like a flimsy tiger electronic toy, and the screens might as well have been game and watch style they were so dark and cruddy. The DSiXL looks pretty awesome to me vs any of the DSs since it's got a nice bigger screen. Doesn't have a GBA adapter? That's a shame because I'd rather play on my GBA anyway.

Either way what you gave me was a long winded opinion and why you're going to run out and buy a 3DS day one, if you're going to buy it you don't need my permission, go ahead. Personally I have better places to spend 300 dollars than on another device that costs more than a 360 or PS3, that's far too expensive.

Personally I think the GBA is a far better handheld than the DS and the 3DS, it was simple GEnesis/Super Nintendo style games and honestly I dont really like the two screens, I hate touch screen games and I don't like 3D so it's a waste for me.

Em....I never wrote any of this with the intention of "gaining your permission". My entire point was to refute your idea that every new handheld model is automatically superior to the previous one and you yourself have admitted that the DSi and Micro were hardly a "necessity". You can throw in the DSi XL in there as well. Yes, a larger sceen is nice, but far from a "mandatory" upgrade (at least compared to how the SP was).

Personally, I haven't decided whether or not I am going to buy it. While I cannot deny that I see great potential in the 3DS and that the software lineup is absolutely stellar, the steep price (which will likely be even steeper in Europe) puts me off somewhat. Plus, we still don't know whether or not it will be region-locked. If it does turn out to be region-locked, that would almost certainly be a deal-breaker for me, since I am an import gamer.

I absolutely agree with you that the Game Boy Advance was a fantastic handheld. I have a Micro and I love it to death; never regretted the purchase. But while I am also not crazy over the touch screen, I do think that some games benefit greatly from having two screens. Turn-based strategies and strategy RPGs, for example, become much easier to play, since the dual screens allow you to see more information at a glance as opposed to having to rely on various buttong "shortcuts".

As for the stereoscopic 3D, I can't really judge it until I have seen it with my own eyes. I do think it has potential to enhance modern games (if nothing else, I see more potential for 3D in gaming than I do in cinema), but I would have to see it for myself to know for certain.

I said the gaining permission bit because it really was just explaining why each handheld was worth it or not, which is subjective also I was teasing you. But what it comes down to is that there is a version later that is superior, usually the second one.

What it comes down to is each persons feelings, I don't really like the DS to begin with, there's some great games on it but most of them I don't like because of their use of the screens and how truly limiting the DS is. Now you're probably very confused by that limiting part but let me finish pleeeeease.

GB and GBA had by far the most neat options you could pack into the devices, the best being the option to put it on your TV via a cartridge or upgrade for your console. With the DS and 3DS you can't because of the touch screen.

Either way I said why I dislike the 3DS and that probably discredits me in someways towards the device. Is it impressive? Sure, but it doesn't change my feelings towards control methods and 3D.

 

[Quantum Star]

Game Boy and GBA Virtual Console. FUCK YES!