DS Price and Release OFFICIAL

[Crash]

OFFICIAL: It's finally here! Nintendo has announced the nitty-gritty for the Nintendo DS. You'll be very pleased.

After months of speculation as to the release time and price of Nintendo's latest system, we can finally all rest easy.

Nintendo DS Release Date: 11/21/04
Nintendo DS Price: $149.99

"Nintendo's mission remains unchanged: expand the game experience," says Satoru Iwata, president of Nintendo Co., Ltd. "Nintendo DS is the road map to the future of video games, and most clearly demonstrates the type of innovation that players demand."

That's right; despite rumors circulating of late, the Nintendo DS is priced thirty dollars below the previously estimated price of $179.99. Ironically, the North American date (above) is before the Japan release date, which is December 2nd with a price of 15,000 yen or $136 US Dollars.

"We're really excited about the price," says Nintendo vice president of marketing and corporate affairs Perrin Kaplan. "That kind of pricing makes DS immediately attractive to the mass market, and that is where Nintendo needs to be."

Another rumor that has been confirmed is that the Nintendo DS will feature the free embedded PictoChat software allowing for wireless instant messaging to other players. Using the touch pad, players will be able to actually write messages to be sent to others, and this is included with the Nintendo DS. If your Nintendo DS is in sleep mode, the PictoChat also features a function that will awaken the DS to alert you to the presence of a new message.


THIS IS THE GREATEST NEWS I"VE GOTTEN ALL WEEK!

It's official. The Nintendo DS will also come boxed with a copy of the game Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt.

This means that DS owners will have two free games/software titles, PictoChat and Metroid Prime Hunters, at launch to enjoy for the DS launch-package price of $149.99.

[Null]

bit pricy for what it does IMO. but thats just me cuz im not a big handheld fan. lol

the instant message thing seems a bit odd to me tho. you either have to be A) in a hot spot so i can send a message over the internet, which im not sure if that would work anyway, and most already have a computer where they have the internet. or you have to be in the general area of each other, so it would be like one of thoes toys where kids in the same class room can send a little message to each other. i cant see that really being used much by people who buy it.

[Dark Samurai]

I just read this on another news site... but this is the best news from Nintendo as of late...

And also... 2 games for the price of none? Thats just insane! Cant wait... going to reserve now...

[Ace195]

wow thats just for a handheld? So guys what are ya guys gettin me for xmas.. j/k... Thats a bit pricy for me I can see paying that for a console or something but for a handheld maybe..we'll see I'll have to wait for jonbo to getone then I'll check into it

[Crash]

that's crazy you guys think that is expensive, that is way freaking cheap...

sega nomad launched at 299.99 right?

that's probably what the Sony PSP will launch at... sony wont be able to touch the price without losing their shirts on this one.

[Null]

Originally Posted by Crash

that's crazy you guys think that is expensive, that is way freaking cheap...

sega nomad launched at 299.99 right?

that's probably what the Sony PSP will launch at... sony wont be able to touch the price without losing their shirts on this one.

and i didnt buy a nomad either. lol

i said its a steep price for what it does. Sony isnt going to try and be the same price, sony just said they'll lose money on the price and it'll be competitive. im guessing 199.99 to 250.

and thats expensive too and i doubt i'll get it. but at least your getting more for that price.

[Jonbo298]

$149.99 is very good for the DS. You seriously Null can not expect the DS to launch at $99. That would be way too low.

And also, PSP will have Wireless Play/Connectivity also. If it included a built in messaging program, would you complain also you have to be in a hotspot? I don't want my handheld bogged down to one spot by a cord if I want to play online. I want to walk freely or not worry about cords if I want to use my DS online.

But for $149.99, getting a DS, Metroid Prime: Hunters and a built in IM program, thats a helluva deal there. And also, the price is reasonable considering your getting 2 LCD Screens. An iPod costs more and it does less (not saying iPod sucks, just pointing out something *still needs an iPod*)

Looks like I'll be getting it for sure

[Null]

yea actually i can and did. the GBA launched at that price. and i see no new 'main' differences.

And i wasnt complaining about it being cordless, what i mean is; you have to be in a certain spot to use it. So if your already next to a network. why use that message program over one on the computer? and i've yet to read that they actually support games over the internet. all they've said so far is it supports a network of players that are near each other over the wireless wi fi. but im assuming it can go online even tho i havnt read it.

My point was i REALLY dont see a big use for a messaging program in a hand held game system. i cant see it being used much. but thats not a big issue cuz thats only 1 little thing. wasnt the main point, (it is ironic tho)


and ipod does more still hehe

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

Originally Posted by Null

yea actually i can and did. the GBA launched at that price. and i see no new 'main' differences.

And i wasnt complaining about it being cordless, what i mean is; you have to be in a certain spot to use it. So if your already next to a network. why use that message program over one on the computer? and i've yet to read that they actually support games over the internet. all they've said so far is it supports a network of players that are near each other over the wireless wi fi. but im assuming it can go online even tho i havnt read it.

My point was i REALLY dont see a big use for a messaging program in a hand held game system. i cant see it being used much. but thats not a big issue cuz thats only 1 little thing. wasnt the main point, (it is ironic tho)


and ipod does more still hehe

you forget you're also getting 2 free games.



but i still agree that you get more with the iPod

[Null]

well. i guess its fine with the games. altho that pisses me off cuz i'd rather just get the main thing for cheaper, same with any company/console. but we wont get into that :P

[DarkMaster]

Not bad of a price. I'd also prefer if you could purchase it alone, for a little bit of a lower price, but since I'm not interested in buying any handhelds...

Also...if Metroid Prime Hunters automatically comes free with every single DS, what does that tell you about the game? I mean, if it was a really cool, flagship title that people would want to go out and buy, they wouldn't include it free with every DS, would they? Just kind of seems weird to me.

[GameMaster]

This is exciting! I can't wait to buy it! I better start saving my money.

[fingersman]

Originally Posted by DarkMaster

Not bad of a price. I'd also prefer if you could purchase it alone, for a little bit of a lower price, but since I'm not interested in buying any handhelds...

Also...if Metroid Prime Hunters automatically comes free with every single DS, what does that tell you about the game? I mean, if it was a really cool, flagship title that people would want to go out and buy, they wouldn't include it free with every DS, would they? Just kind of seems weird to me.

They launched Mario with the nes and snes and they were good IMO, but hey we'll just have to wait and see about MPH. hehehe ( funny how that can also stand for miles per hour.)

[Canyarion]

Where does it say Metroid Prime Hunters comes free with every DS??? The Nintendo site doesn't say that.

Perhaps they're selling bundles, for let's say $170 or something.

I'm really happy that PictoChat is embedded in the hardware! Now it will be used.

Null, I like the idea of communicating with people close to you. Let's say you're in a train and some other dude enters. You immediately get a message. You can contact him (practicly anonymous) and ask him to play a game together. Sounds great to me!!!!

And it will be fun for friends.

Edit: the latest thing I've read on C-E () is that you get a demo of MPH.

The DS also has alarm functions. The full fact sheet is pretty neat. http://www.cube-europe.com/news.php?nid=6975

[DarkMaster]

Originally Posted by Canyarion

Where does it say Metroid Prime Hunters comes free with every DS???

"It's official. The Nintendo DS will also come boxed with a copy of the game Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt."

Notice how it says Nintendo DS, and not Nintendo DS bundle.