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

[Vampyr]

This is AWESOME!

Thank you so much for informing me of this Crash...my day keeps getting better. I was expecting to have to dish out 200 dollars for the DS, and another 30 for a game. Very sweet. I can now save my money for......comics and other video games!

I happen to think the pictochat is very cool. The college I am going to will probably have WiFi access, and I'm sure there will be a lot of people on campus with a DS. I also think that sense they DO have WiFi access, they will be making online games. It's only logical.

I'm so happy I think I'll plus rep Crash for posting this.

[Dyne]

I like the battery life estimate. 6-10 hours. Sounds really good, since it's running two backlit screens, AND WiFi. Very good stuff.

[Typhoid]

Its gonna be about $200 cdn. Hrrrmmm.....I could buy a PStwo for cheaper than that ( i think)

I might buy it later, when the price drops...not because im cheap...just because i dont understand why a handheld shopuld be more expensive. So if anything, I will wait until they bag all the money they need to break even from making them, then lower the price.

[Jason1]

Seirously, you guys are whining about 150 bucks? Wouldnt suprise me if the PSP is twice that.

[DarkMaster]

Originally Posted by Jason1

Seirously, you guys are whining about 150 bucks? Wouldnt suprise me if the PSP is twice that.

Well, $150 for a handheld is quite a bit of money, and whether or not PSP is twice that amount has nothing to do with it. I mean, for a launch price, with a free game, it really isn't THAT bad, but many people just don't have $150 to drop on a handheld.

What I'm saying is, you really have to be into handheld gaming to pick up a DS or PSP. For me I just won't be able to afford them whilst owning a PS2, GCN, Xbox, and PC.

It's not a bad price though, really, considering what you get.

Originally Posted by Crash

DS, the psp isnt coming out til next summer prolly. what are you going to look forward to for a christmas present!

Hmm? How do you figure that? IGN said they played with the near-final retail version of the PSP at TGS, doesn't make sense to release it in the summer when it's nearly done.

[Null]

Originally Posted by Jason1

Seirously, you guys are whining about 150 bucks? Wouldnt suprise me if the PSP is twice that.

whos whinning? all i said is its expensive for - what - it - does.

if i want something i'll buy it no matter what the cost. i mean i spend $500 on an ipod. i wouldnt buy another hand held if it was under 50.

i was just saying that i think its more then it needs to be.

[Swan]

All this information is really interesting.

I want to buy a handheld, a newer one, but I'm not sure which one.

DS or PSP?

[Crash]

DS, the psp isnt coming out til next summer prolly. what are you going to look forward to for a christmas present!