Nintendo 3DS

[Ouenben]

The original DS saw a March release in Europe I believe.

[toythatkills]

I never said it would hinder sales, just that they will inevitably sell less to their intended market.

Their intended market is the hardcore, at least initially. In March, for example. Have you seen the games they're bigging up the most? They're gamer's games. When all the casual ****'s coming out around the end of the year, and there's 80billion units in the shops ready for Christmas, Nintendo is gonna kill everyone.

Yeah, bigging up, I said it.

[Grapple Convoy]

The original DS saw a March release in Europe I believe.

Indeed, Friday 11th March 2005. I remember getting up extra early that day to be there when Gamestation opened.

Speaking of the 3DS, one thing might knock it with certain demographics is the seeming lack of puzzle games. That's my girlfriend's main criticism for potentially upgrading to the 3DS, for example. I guess puzzle games obviously aren't going to slow off the 3D effect well, or be that playable (as anyone who has played the puzzle games for the Virtual Boy can attest), but their absence will put a break on certain groups interest in the 3DS...

[dataDave]

I'm getting hyped for his now. Not long to go!

[BaronSqwelch]

if its less than £175 I know I will be powerless to resist...not pre-ordering though so my wallet is hopeful of stock shortages

back compatible too so I can play the DS games ive had sat unused since my lite died!! yay!!

[Ouenben]

Indeed, Friday 11th March 2005. I remember getting up extra early that day to be there when Gamestation opened.

I was lucky, I was with family in USA on Nov 21st and grabbed myself one for $150

[bash]

Never bought a DS, had a PSP for a few years initially. I understand Ninty are more fussy in terms of region locking and language barriers. Anyone gonna import one or are we all waiting for UK launch?

[charlesr]

Never bought a DS, had a PSP for a few years initially. I understand Ninty are more fussy in terms of region locking and language barriers.

All Nintendo handhelds have been region free (not sure about the DSi ware).

[Dogg Thang]

Well DSi was region locked for content (including carts) that was DSi specific so that showed a bit of a change. Hard to know yet if the 3DS will or won't be but I wouldn't take it as a given that it will be region free.

[abigsmurf]

At the moment it seems more likely to be locked than unlocked.

I'll probably end up importing a US one given that there were lots of good RPGs in the US that never came out here on the DS. Where's the best place for console imports?

[Flabio]

The exchange rate and the VAT increase mean we're going to be pretty heavily boned on the price of this compared to elsewhere. Really hope it's region free so I can import.

[Junko]

I got my original DS fatty from VG+ canada had great service from them so might use them again but think there will be a very small release window between regions so will just get the UK release .

As far as price , I would have thought its either gonna be £169.99 or £199.99 . Noone in their right mind would pay more than that for a handheld surely ?

[Brad]

I'm same as Junko VG+ have been very good over the years.

[abigsmurf]

I may actually buy it from 2 separate places (in case one spends a couple of weeks held up in customs) and sell the second one for cost to someone here.

Incidentally, Nintendo World's this weekend and the US and EU announcements are next Friday.

Nintendo World will probably confirm launch titles and go into detail about the OS features. Really hoping that the 4 month delay for the launch will mean a good range of polished titles. Also looking forward to seeing more of KH 3DS.

Trying to decide if OoT will be a title I'm buying. As much as it's a classic, WW and TP had significant gameplay improvements over it and the titles don't hold up as well when replaying (you know the solutions to the trickiest puzzles and how to kill the bosses).

[sj33]

I'll probably actually grab a UK model this time. It will be a weird feeling importing a UK model to Japan (instead of the other way around), but I suspect I'll regret buying a Japanese machine. This VAT increase is even more unwelcome.