DS price drop to $125-$130 in the works?

[auto]

Here's something I posted on Nintendo.com's forums (http://forums.nintendo.com/nintendo/board/message?board.id=ds&message.id=894170)...

From Kids WB!'s Pokemon contest entry rules (http://kidswb.warnerbros.com/web/sweepstakes/sweepstakes_rules.jsp?sid=SWP_POK_101PrizesADay)
First Prize winners will receive in addition to their First Prize, one (1) Nintendo DS video game system and one (1) Pokémon®Dash video game for the Nintendo DS (a.r.v.: $159.98 ea.).


Please note that the total price of the Nintendo DS and the upcoming Pokemon game is $159.98. When you do the math, here's how it works out...
$124.99 (Nintendo DS system)
+ $34.99
-----------
$159.98

This all makes perfect sense too. Sony's PSP will launch at $250 in the end of March and having the Nintendo DS cost exactly half as much as Sony's portable console should be enough to bring the spotlight back on Nintendo.

Let's wait and see what happens http://forums.nintendo.com/i/smilies/16x16_smiley-wink.gif
So do you guys think this sounds realistic? I got it all from the official sweepstakes rules from a Nintendo related contest.

[Dogbert]

I'm willing to bet it's just a mistake. Nintendo has nothing to fear from the $250 PSP. You can make all the arguements in the world that including the memory card and some other stuff makes it more like $200, it doesn't change the price tag.

[Strollymonster]

I'm willing to bet it's just a mistake. Nintendo has nothing to fear from the $250 PSP. You can make all the arguements in the world that including the memory card and some other stuff makes it more like $200, it doesn't change the price tag.
Still, it makes good marketing sense to drop your prices when a competitor comes about so the average handheld consumer (parent with kid) will look and say "Billy, how about I get you this Gameboy instead?" because they'll see that it's half the price of the PSP.

[fuchikoma]

Still, it makes good marketing sense to drop your prices when a competitor comes about so the average handheld consumer (parent with kid) will look and say "Billy, how about I get you this Gameboy instead?" because they'll see that it's half the price of the PSP.
So you are saying that the average handheld consumer will be purchasing the DS since they can't afford what they really want?

[Tapout]

Meh. I'm still waiting until the next Pokemon game comes out to grab a DS. I am going to be a complete retard and buy a PSP at launch.

[Sigma]

Im going to wait till I can actually play a PSP before buying one. I just don't see myself droping $250 for something that I only see a few launch titles that interest me (Untold Legends, Wipeout, and Ridge Racer), but I will not spend $250 for a couple of racing games and an RPG that could be good or just end up being so-so.

As for the DS I could see the price droping this Summer. So seeing it drop in March wouldn't suprise me much, but I think Nintendo will wait until Summer to drop it. The DS is still a $100 cheaper then the PSP at it's current price.

[William C. Maune]

So you are saying that the average handheld consumer will be purchasing the DS since they can't afford what they really want?

That assumes that a PSP is what the average handheld consumer really wants. Many average handheld consumers may just want one of the handheld's of the next generation. If they are somewhat undecided regarding which one to get, then the price difference can be a big factor.

[maximumzero]

Any price job at or above $25 would make be buy a DS like...instantly. (That'd basically cover a game.)

[AF$]

Nintendo has nothing to fear from the $250 PSP.Those are bold words, especially in this battle that could very easily go either way. $250 might seem like a lot, but PSP has demostrated far better graphics quality and the ability to play mp3s, video, and games for $250 looks pretty decent next to top-notch mp3 players like the ipod or iriver that only play music. I really think that it is going to come out to the number of top quality exclusive games, which is why I think Nintendo's thinking of the DS as a stopgap system might hurt them (as opposed to facing the PSP with their full-on next gen gameboy).

[anti omega]

250 FOR A PSP do they think we are idiots the ds is almost as good for 100 less

[Vivace]

250 FOR A PSP do they think we are idiots the ds is almost as good for 100 less
Then you are basicly saying that the N64 is almost as good as the PS2. Because the PSP has the power of a PS2 (or close to it) but also has more RAM. The DS has the power of the N64. The two are vary different systems.



Keep in mind thatthe PSP can play movie and music files along with some photos, because save Hunters I don't see many good games on the horizion for DS AT ALL (that means out of everything annoucenced) PSP has more appealing games plus the effect of a multimedia machine.

If it has the ability to run homebrew software then it makes it much better as I can keep files like things from games I download for RPG maker or games that utilize C+ program from the ground up.

At my school post christmas there was a large amount of people with DS's and they played them alot. Now, nobody brings theirs as there is no point. The only good game to me Is the metroid prime hunters DEMO.

As to the winner of the hand held wars, currently in japan the PSP is winning. Though I know that doesn't nesscarily mean that that will determine the north american rates.

And correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the DS not supposed to be the PSP's competition? If i remember Myamoto said that the Gameboy: Revolution would be it's competition. The DS to me is like the Virtual Boy, an inbetween thing just as the Virtual Boy was inbetween Game Boy and GBC, DS could be inbetween GBA and GBRevolution.

Just my $7.50


I think that both may enventually drop prices by the end of the summer (mainly cause I want them to)

[guinaevere]

And the game lineup is looking more impressive. Which is fairly important when you have to budget for one or the other.


At this point, I hate to say it, but it's looking like if the PSP has a decent batterylife/charger/something, I'll be getting that before the DS.


Well, if I ever have any money, that is. Kinda tough when ya do voluntary work. :sweat:


anti omega, hello and welcome to TZ. Just a word of advice, you might want to put your thoughts into less fanboyish sounding posts. Elsewise, you're gonna find yourself pounced upon.

[Chad Bonin]

Now, see, I look at the PSP lineup, and the only interesting game is Darkstalkers, but I'm not looking for a ancient fighter with load times on a portable... I could easily whip out Street Fighter Alpha 3 ^ or SNK Vs Capcom with no load time....