Topic: 3DS European Launch Lineup and Pricing Rumors

[NWR_DrewMG]

A UK publication comes forward with details about the launch lineup, and some information may be available about the cost of the device.

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/rumor/24840

According to GamesRadar.com, retailers will be purchasing their 3DS systems directly from Nintendo for £173 (approximately $277). This means that any retailers who are setting an asking price of £230 are making a 33% profit on the new handheld console. As retailers have been given the option of setting their own price for the system, the potential for competition among retailers is great. Expecting the competition to drive the price below £173, however, seems unlikely.  

Another rumor, originating from UK publication MCV, stated that the 3DS will have 10 or more games available at launch. Nintendogs + Cats, Super Street Fighter IV 3D, Pro Evolution Soccer 3DS, and LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars have been confirmed by retailers to be day-one titles. In addition, Ubisoft has released a schedule, which indicates that the following titles will likely also be available on day one: Asphalt 3D, Rayman 3D, Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Shadow Wars 3D and Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell 3D. While none of this is confirmed, Nintendo did state that they hope to have between 25 and 30 games available in the launch window.

[oohhboy]

Price parity with the US? Blasphemy!

At the asking price it would be well over $100 US than what the Americans pay.

Something is odd with the article..

£173 (approximately $235.25)

According to my number £173 is $276.80USD. Why is it a whole $50 out? The exchange rates aren't that volatile, what gives?

[MegaByte]

I think somebody accidentally ran a conversion from Euros.  Fixed.

[oohhboy]

Nice and quick with the fix.

Throw in tax and Europe is looking at a retail price blow out. Without a quick price drop it's going to hurt bad in the medium term and stunt long term growth. For a handheld, it's just too much for European mass market and it's on the top end already for the Americans. The price disparity is even greater than when the DS launched. A lot of people are going to hear about this and aren't going to be pleased.

[KDR_11k]

So that looks like a 200 Euro purchase price. There's always around 17% VAT, depending on the country so the break-even point would be 234€, ignoring othercosts for the retailer. So yes, 250€ (340 USD) final price seems to be right on the money. Leave it to NoE to set the wholesale price higher than the retail price in the US. I bet that's why they region locked it, retailers could import it at retail price from the US and still get it cheaper!

[King Bowser Koopa]

I asked at EB games yesterday, the console itself is slated at $350 in Australia.
No freaking surprise there - I'm importing a US console anyway.

[MegaByte]

Ouch, even AUD is almost parity with USD.

[TJ Spyke]

I was just checking that too, I think it's like $346 US. That is outrageous to me, especially since games are like $100 or something like that.

[Dannymcl]

I have always said that Europe screw up their pricing but as the RFN crew said, it is all to do with the 20% tax in the UK and the fact that the retailers over hear are a bloomin' greedy!

[Shorty McNostril]

I asked at EB games yesterday, the console itself is slated at $350 in Australia.
No freaking surprise there - I'm importing a US console anyway.

Stuff that. I'm not paying $350 for a handheld when I can get a console for cheaper. Ripoffs. I'll wait for the lite.

[oohhboy]

I have always said that Europe screw up their pricing but as the RFN crew said, it is all to do with the 20% tax in the UK and the fact that the retailers over hear are a bloomin' greedy!

Ya haven't been paying attention have you. There is sales tax in the states too, but Nintendo is selling to retail at more than the American take home price + sales tax (Varies by state).

I told you the region lock was BS, but no, Nintendo can't do wrong. Here you go. Here is your evidence. Somebody owes me an apology. 

[TJ Spyke]

I have always said that Europe screw up their pricing but as the RFN crew said, it is all to do with the 20% tax in the UK and the fact that the retailers over hear are a bloomin' greedy!

Ya haven't been paying attention have you. There is sales tax in the states too, but Nintendo is selling to retail at more than the American take home price + sales tax (Varies by state).

I told you the region lock was BS, but no, Nintendo can't do wrong. Here you go. Here is your evidence. Somebody owes me an apology. 

Except for the fact that other systems are the same way. In Australia, the DSi is $248 (while it is $150 in the US). And before you mention region locking on that, the DS Lite is $197 there and $120 here and that has no region locking. It's not Nintendo, it's the entire video game industry.