Tell Us Dammit!

13 years ago

January 20, 2011 at 11:00 am

Dammit we want you to tell us stuff – like what would be an reasonable Australian price for the 3DS? And what price do you think it’ll retail for here?

This isn’t some marketing survey or whatever. It’s an emotional investment in you. Yes, we’re interested in knowing you, Kotaku reader person. You probably know enough about us – more than you even want to, we’re sure. But, hey, we’d like to know about you, too.

US pricing was announced yesterday at $US250 – if precedent is anything to go by, that means it’ll retail here at $399.95. But circumstances have changed in recent times – a stronger Aussie dollar and fear of the import market may force Nintendo’s hand a little bit.

I say $399.95.

Nick Broughall at Gizmodo says $350

Elly Hart says $350

Seamus also says $350

What say you?

Comments

55 responses to “Tell Us Dammit!”

READ THE COMMENTS

Stevorooni

January 20, 2011 at 11:06 am

What I want: $300
What we’ll probably get: $379

Reply
Strange

January 20, 2011 at 11:09 am

Reasonable would be around $300. But I reckon it will be more like $399.

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Corey Lee

January 20, 2011 at 11:13 am

I say “Whatever the cheapest price is to buy it overseas?”

🙂

(Although to be honest, I’ve never liked buying overseas consoles anyway)

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MrBS

January 20, 2011 at 11:13 am

Nintendo have never been generous about prices of hardware or software so I think $450 RRP is the logical price point. Any lower and I’d be surprised.

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syvRaen

January 20, 2011 at 11:16 am

As much as I would like it to be $350, I don’t think that the Australian dollar’s strength, or the import market, will factor in too strongly. The strength of our currency never seems to make a difference. And I think everyone is too busy complaining about the rise of importing to actually do anything about it, especially not lower the prices of their products.

The $400 price point definitely seems more likely to me.

There is a chance that other factors might play a hand. They may not want to price their hand-held system too high above their current home console. And they also have to factor in whether their chosen price point will compete with whatever Sony brings out.

If they are smart, they’ll throw it out there for $380, so that people don’t feel as much like they are being ripped off to the tune of four hundred dollars.

Reply
1. syvRaen
  
  January 20, 2011 at 11:18 am
  
  And, I suppose that I’ll pay whatever they ask. It looks pretty sweet.
  
  Reply
Ponton

January 20, 2011 at 11:16 am

If its $300 or under retail in australia i would buy it here, anything more i will be importing.

I estimate the price for australians will be $399, because “we have to rip of Aussies”.

Probably would be wise buying a US version anyway (if there is a region lock), as the games will no doubt be far cheaper importing.

Reply
Elly Hart

January 20, 2011 at 11:17 am

Not that I know much about these things, but I think Nintendo will be crazy to sell a handheld console for $400. The novelty of 3D is not enough to justify that price. I’d rather get an iPod touch with its hundreds of thousands of apps/games for $289. Or a brand new Xbox/PS3.

Reply
1. Jimu Hsien wants Donkey Kong Returns
  
  January 20, 2011 at 11:27 am
  
  Totally, unless you need portabilty for some reason you may as well buy the 360.
  
  Reply
sarujin

January 20, 2011 at 11:18 am

I agree with Mark. I’d expect 400$

Wii was released at $250US, $400AU. Nintendo isn’t going to change. These companies seem incapable of understanding exchange rates, and pushing it down through distributor channels.

Reply
1. Alinos
  
  January 20, 2011 at 11:53 am
  
  While you say these companies you mean every product in Australia there is nothing that fluctuates with the exchange rate anywhere otherwise the. Rrp would consistantly be changing which causes issues when someone buys a 1000 stock when the dollars in the hole you expect then to accept the loss because they had to buy the shipment when the dollar was down.
  
  I believe Microsoft set there currency conversion in the 80’s and it hasn’t changed since. Ideally the currency exchange should be based on the average of the last 2 or so years
  
  You also have to remember that in most cases our price is derived from the uk price which means it’s generally uk to au conversion which increases the price a bit more generally then add GST
  
  Reply
Badmiyamotofinger

January 20, 2011 at 11:18 am

$299.95 RRP is reasonable but somehow I’ve got a feeling it’ll be $329.95 RRP dont ask me why.

Either way I’m not buying one until it hits $199 and/or Nintendo brings out 3DSiCubedXLSmall2.0 comes out.

Reply
1. Elly Hart
  
  January 20, 2011 at 11:19 am
  
  $329.95? That’s an odd figure.
  
  Reply
  1. Badmiyamotofinger
    
    January 20, 2011 at 1:43 pm
    
    $350 will be too high and scare away customers.
    $300 is a bit lowish as they want to make as much money on 1-day buyers so $229.95 is in between – $30 extra profit but $20 less to make it sound “cheap”.
    
    Call it a marketing hunch (not that I have a marketing degree or anything…)
    
    Reply
2. Ian Uniacke
  
  January 20, 2011 at 1:00 pm
  
  I’m going to have to agree with you. I’m predicting anywhere in the range of 300 to 350 but your price point of 329 sounds about right.
  
  Reply
AmbroseIV

January 20, 2011 at 11:22 am

I’m also in the $350 boat, but that might be wishful thinking more than anything – $400 wouldn’t surprise me much.

Reply
Jimu Hsien wants a kebab

January 20, 2011 at 11:22 am

300 only

Reply
1. Jimu Hsien wants Donkey Kong Returns
  
  January 20, 2011 at 11:24 am
  
  It will prolly still be 5 hunds.
  
  Im holding out for as long as I can.
  
  Reply
j

January 20, 2011 at 11:23 am

i’ll be waiting for $199 at the most, but that all depends on when i can get the 3DS R4 card.

Reply
1. Jimu Hsien wants Donkey Kong Returns
  
  January 20, 2011 at 11:29 am
  
  Arrrrrrrrrrr, tis a pirate, arrrrrrrrr.
  
  Ken I get ye sum RUM?
  
  Reply
  1. j
    
    January 20, 2011 at 11:40 am
    
    yes please!
    
    Reply
    1. Jimu Hsien wants Donkey Kong Returns
      
      January 20, 2011 at 12:15 pm
      
      Arrrrrrrrrrr
      
      Tis here, drink it down, matey! Arrrrrrrrrrrr
      
      Reply
      1. j
        
        January 21, 2011 at 10:33 am
        
        gulp!
Jason

January 20, 2011 at 11:23 am

fingers crossed at a $250 – $300 price range.
but realistically.. $350 – $450 *sigh*

has nintendo announced if the n3ds is region free?

Reply
1. NotoriousR
  
  January 20, 2011 at 11:33 am
  
  Ha!
  
  http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-01-11-nintendo-3ds-region-locked
  
  Reply
2. AmbroseIV
  
  January 20, 2011 at 11:41 am
  
  I’m sure they’ve strongly hinted, if not announced, the exact opposite. Sadly.
  
  Reply
NotoriousR

January 20, 2011 at 11:29 am

In the UK it’s going for about £220-£229. Translate that over to AUD, that’s $350-$360. Add GST, that’s basically $400. Yes, there is VAT in that £220-£229, but since when has pricing ever been fair in Australia?

Reply
1. Ian Uniacke
  
  January 20, 2011 at 1:02 pm
  
  I don’t think your pricing is calculation is quite correct as historically UK has almost always payed above the average price after exchange rates are factored for. (Well your calculation is correct but I don’t agree with your conclusion).
  
  Reply
Tom

January 20, 2011 at 11:29 am

Will buy if its 300 to 320 otherwise its import time.

Reply
Daniel McKeating

January 20, 2011 at 11:32 am

i want $250-$300 (that’s if nintendo doesn’t want people to import consoles/games)
but realisticly… the greed goblin inside of them will sell it for about $350-$400

Reply
1. Daniel McKeating
  
  January 20, 2011 at 11:35 am
  
  but Europe is selling their 3ds for 229.99 pounds which roughly equates to $370 with the current exchange rate soooooo probably about there
  
  Reply
Jackson Thurtle

January 20, 2011 at 11:33 am

It will cost $399 RRP. Most retailers will have it for about $379.

Games will go for $79/ea. I think that that is where Nintendo’s problem will be.

Fair pricing? $329 for the console, $50/ea for top-shelf games, $40 for lower tier ones.

Reply
Daniel

January 20, 2011 at 11:45 am

Realistic: $350, March 24th;
What’ll happen: $399, March 31st;

🙁

Reply
oggob

January 20, 2011 at 12:01 pm

Min – $349

Max – $399

I can’t see Nintendo wanting the title of most expensive handheld launch, even if the PSP2 will likely beat it when it releases later this year? maybe?

anyway, like the PSP launch, $250 in the US, $399 here… I don’t think this will be any different 6 years later.

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Elias Kotias

January 20, 2011 at 12:16 pm

do not want. but will buy anyway. you know what? i bought a launch ds and a ds-lite. never used either of them. im pretty much to radical to play ds in public & at home-time all my big screen tv fantasies come true. i can even watch womens beach volleyball in mega-vision: thats like three times life size!!! sometimes i pretend im watching monster womens beach volley ball where all the girls are like 18 feet tall. CRUSH! KILL! DESTROY!
sigh . . . but nintendo can sign me up for the 3ds if they have to. 3D nintendogs + cats [this time it has cats too!] wont play itself. or will it?

Reply
1. oggob
  
  January 20, 2011 at 1:36 pm
  
  Every time I see your name I can’t help but think of Casey Jones! :p
  
  You just need to replace the “I” in your last name to an “E” and we are all set!
  
  Reply
Zhabroah

January 20, 2011 at 12:23 pm

I honestly don’t care what the price will be here since I see no reason to buy it locally. Ridiculous console and game pricing plus region locking = no thanks Nintendo Australia.

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Unicron

January 20, 2011 at 12:29 pm

Nintendo Australia would be mad to sell it for any more than $350 RRP. It’s only $50 difference but the last thing they would want in Australia is Nintendo’s version of the PSP GO.
I don’t care if it tickles your balls while you play it. NO handheld should sell for $400 and above.
Also what hasn’t been talked about is the price of games which will be a HUGE factor in what the 3DS will/should retail for.
My guess on games is between $60 and $80.

After all that i predict that retailers will have deals that will be, the 3DS and a game and maybe a crappy accessory pack for $400 which i think is reasonable in today’s market.

Reply
Powalen

January 20, 2011 at 12:30 pm

If the 3DS is $350 or higher, then I will import… Just a question of where to import from. 😛

If it is confirmed we are in the same region as the UK, I’ll import from there. (Never bought a console overseas before so I’m a bit wary of buying something that cannot play local games as well as imported)

Reply
1. Daniel McKeating
  
  January 20, 2011 at 2:58 pm
  
  u believe we are in the same region as the uk…. but with the exchange rate it comes to about $370… plus you have to pay for postage…. you’d be better to get it from america… for something like $248… but you have to import all your games 🙁 ….. nintendo, you’ve let us down…
  
  Reply
Daniel

January 20, 2011 at 1:20 pm

March 31st
RRP: $350

Reply
Daniel Nolev

January 20, 2011 at 1:28 pm

I hope Nintendo realises that Australia has always been a great market for them in per capita sales and so i hope they don’t decide to price the 3DS here unfairly.

I think it will be $350 or $400 with some pouches and stuff. $300 is a dream price but i’ll be very shocked if it’s that.

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Rob

January 20, 2011 at 1:41 pm

I’d pay up to $400 no worries.

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Tom

January 20, 2011 at 2:20 pm

I can’t see it being $350. $399.95 for me. I won’t buy it.

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Elly Hart

January 20, 2011 at 2:30 pm

Who’s prepared to put in preorders if the price does end up being $400?

Reply
1. AmbroseIV
  
  January 20, 2011 at 3:10 pm
  
  It would’ve been a definite yes a month ago, but now I know the limited launch ‘window’ titles I’ll hold off until February/March to see if it’s really going to be worth a preorder.
  
  The price wouldn’t turn me off (unless it exceeds $400), but depending on the games available it could be $400 better spent.
  
  Reply
2. Andy Te
  
  January 20, 2011 at 4:38 pm
  
  I’ll get it……eventually
  
  Reply
Cam Grimes

January 20, 2011 at 3:05 pm

I would be more than happy paying the price that EB is currently showing. ($348) If the price is around $400, I’d be pretty annoyed with having to pay that much, but I will still pay it.

Reply
garnet 23

January 20, 2011 at 6:28 pm

i want 300. 350 with a game might is alright. will wait untill gets to 300 before buying

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Tyris

January 20, 2011 at 6:45 pm

Logically they surely have to go with $349.
Thats what logic tells me…

My heart says Nintendo Australia will hit us with $399.

Whatever, I’m importing from the states anyway. I don’t think I’ll have anything more to do with Nintendo aus.

Reply
brad

January 20, 2011 at 9:10 pm

i wouldnt pay anything over AU$200. but thats just me. im not a big nintendo fan.

Reply
Hugh Hutchison

January 20, 2011 at 9:40 pm

Eb games, suggested no more than 370.

Reply
astrogirl

January 21, 2011 at 7:01 am

EBgames are estimating $348.
http://ebgames.com.au/sale-product-976-home-3DS

The ds lite is still $200. dsi is $250 and the XL is $300 so its not too illogical to see the $50 price pattern there and guess $350.

I wouldn’t pay more than $199 for one myself, even if I have to wait for that price. $350/400 is ridiculous for a handheld console, particularly with the range of games that the DS has.

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Spaceorb

January 21, 2011 at 8:42 am

I think everyone should buy the console from europe- according to http://tinyurl.com/5sgakrm (IGN), the console is sold in 3 versions- Japanese, American and European/Australian. That means Australian games will work on a European console, right?

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Steve0410

January 21, 2011 at 7:32 pm

Want: $350
Likely price: $400

But then again, I paid $400 for the PSP at launch. And that was 6 years ago, taking into account inflation, GFC etc, it’s not too unreasonable.

Reply

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Tell Us Dammit!

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55 responses to “Tell Us Dammit!”

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