Why Nintendo’s 3DS Will Price Sub $199

It’s my opinion that Nintendo’s biggest competitor in the handheld market is not Sony with the PSP, it’s Apple and their versatile iPhone. The iPhone is hip, has lots of cheap or free games, and most importantly, it’s also a cell phone and an iPod. The best gaming device is the one you have with you, and the iPhone is quickly becoming ubiquitous.

We recently asked Andrew Podolsky, Editor-In-Chief over at the iPhone focused site Slide To Play (and one of the original members of the Ripten team), if he thought the Apple iPhone had enough gaming power to give a handheld like the 3DS a run for its money. Here’s what he had to say:

“The iPhone is definitely competitive with the current generation of Sony and Nintendo handhelds. It’s an always-online device with a great touchscreen and built-in tilt controls, plus a library of games that is ten times the amount available on the PSP and DS combined.

The next generation of iPhone is certainly pushing boundaries with a sharper display, a built-in gyroscope for better tilt control, and consumer features like an HD video camera and video chat. But what we saw at E3 form Nintendo got us talking– their 3D screen is unlike anything we expect to see from Apple anytime soon.”

Andrew went on to say that while the new DS’s 3D screen, was “incredible,” he wasn’t sure it would “fundamentally change the way we play games,” adding that it seemed more like a “gimmick.” He then explained his reasoning:

“… and I’m not just saying that because I’m pro-Apple. Just like how the 3D effect doesn’t make movies fundamentally better, 3D won’t necessarily make games better either. You need the full talent of a company like Nintendo and their incredible lineup of first-party properties to make the games people want to buy.”

But that’s not to say that the iPhone doesn’t have it’s own share of talented supporters standing by with creative games of their own.

” … third-parties like EA, Capcom, Konami, Activision, Namco, Ubisoft, and many more will develop games that take advantage of the iPhone’s best features.” said Andrew. “It’s a three-way race, and it’s fascinating to watch.”

With all of this in mind, it’s my belief that in order for the 3DS to compete with the iPhone, Nintendo will not only have to deliver an exceptional mobile gaming experience, they’ll also have to price it right. And considering the cheapest iPhone on the market is $199.99, my guess is that Nintendo will price their newest handheld to match, or beat it.

Some may argue that the iPhone is not 3D capable, and they’d be correct. However, what the iPhone lacks in trendy of-the-moment technology, it more than makes up for with accessibility, versatility, and an affordable gaming library that continues to grow every day.

Those interested in reading more on the “three-way race” between Sony, Nintendo, and Apple, should head on over to Slide To Play for a really in-depth post-E3 write up on the subject.

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  • Cody Engel

    I really hope they price it under $199 however I get the feeling they could price it a little higher, perhaps around $250? The handheld is shaping up to be a beast, and the iPhone 4 does cost more than $199 if you buy it without a contract.

  • selits

    I am hoping it will be $200 or less as well. I honestly don’t think Nintendo would price it more but like Cody said they could sell it for more. It will sell regardless and would most likely be worth the price.. I just tend to not play handhelds much so all my variations of Game Boys and my DS sit around.

  • Brandon Fenty

    Yeah. My iPhone gets more playtime than my DS…not because I like it better but because I never actually have my DS when I would want it.

  • Basil Fawlty

    I always thought that gaming on an iphone was a gimmick itself. I am hoping to get the 3DS if it’s below $200. It’ll be my first portable system since the original gameboy andvance. Not counting the iphone since it still feels a lot like regular cell phone games and computer flash games.
    I go to a college where the majority use iphone, and nobody likes it for gaming more than 30 minutes (at the most)

  • skeevystoner

    The iPhone 4 is cool, but knowing you have to buy a contract that is gonna be at least 80 dollars a month for 2 years is a just plain silly. I will have a cricket blackberry that costs me 40 dollars a month with unlimited everything and a nintendo 3ds for games. iPhone 4 will only have some weak ass video chat that is wifi only and no 3d anything! Sorry apple nerds but Nintendo has you beat this round. wow!

  • Cyberxion

    As someone who owns an iPhone, I’m not particularly impressed with it as a gaming device. That might change if/when Apple brings out that controller device that they registered a patent for, but until then, gaming on the iPhone is an uncomfortable chore. It’s great for games like Bejeweled 2 and Fruit Ninja, but without a d-pad and buttons, actions games just aren’t fun to play.

    While I can’t dispute the device’s popularity, it’s tough to really imagine that it’s selling because of it’s gaming capabilities. I don’t really think that Apple is a true competitor in the portable gaming market, and I doubt that Nintendo, or even Sony for that matter, are all that concerned about the iPhone.

  • http://www.nintendo3dsgamer.com Chronos

    I don’t think they would price it as low as $199. Maybe around the $250 would be a safe estimate but going down to $199 is too low considering the PSP Go is at $249.

  • jamesbraselton

    hi there at http://www.nintendo3ds.org/uk they list nintendo 3DS at $189.99 the same as nintendo dsi xl

  • http://www.nintendo-3ds-games.net VertigoFive

    The 3DS being the first thing to hit the market with glasses-free 3D viewing technology, I don’t think that Nintendo is going to have any issues selling these like hot cakes so long as it’s not over $300

  • Infecto

    Iphone will not be Nintendo’s biggest competition, main reason…

    The monthly for what is primarily a cell phone, you know how many kids have DS’s? How many parents are going to buy their children an Iphone and pay $80 a month to play games? What if you have 2-3 kids that all want one?