Eurogamer

Consumers know they want a 3DS but are delaying their purchase until a wider range of games is available, believes Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata.

Speaking during an investor call transcribed onNintendo's official site, Iwata insisted that the new handheld was one of the most coveted machines the company had ever released, but many potential purchasers were biding their time before opening their wallets.

"It is clear from our market research that many people feel that they 'want' and 'want to buy' Nintendo 3DS, and the latest demand for this device is the largest in comparison with our previous new platforms at the time of their launches," he explained.

"But on the other hand, there is a big proposition that not that many people believe 'Now is the time to buy it!' The penetration will not gain speed without overcoming this challenge.

"After all, the way to solve this problem lies in how to communicate 'what kind of games can be played', as long as Nintendo 3DS is a gaming device.

"There might be consumers who are interested in Nintendo 3DS," he continued, "but they are unable to find software which they want to play, and they are in the 'wait-and-see mode'."

Iwata then went on to list off a formidable slate of titles due out in Japan before the end of 2011, including Dead or Alive: Dimensions, Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D, Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D, Tales of the Abyss, Star Fox 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising (due "after summer"), Super Mario 3DS and Mario Kart 3DS.

"Nintendo will be working with our full strength in order to spread Nintendo 3DS as a mainstream handheld device, along with the third party developers and with our sales partners," he concluded.

During the same event, Iwata revealed that the handheld, which launched last month in Europe and the US, had got off to a "smooth start" selling 3.6 million units.

dear Iwata,

internet hype =/= consumer demand.

I think he is out of his mind if he thinks that games are the only reason.

I can tell you that in my case it is not only the weak game lineup but also the $250 price tag.

Iwata is spot on. I'll buy a 3DS as soon as there is a good number of games I interested in playing. So far, there is Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars and, perhaps, PilotWings Resort, although I wouldn't pay full price for the last one. Anyway, I am pretty sure I'll eventually upgrade my DS.

i loled :P

but its true.. if ps3 had sold acording to its hype sony would be the new world leader :P

"from our market research"

I'm quite sure Nintendo's market research doesn't revolve around online forums.

On topic, I believe that this is quite likely. I mean, even though I have bought two games, nothing in its launch line-up is really great. I bought Super Monkey Ball 'cause there was nothing else and Nintendogs Cats is somewhat repetetive after the original. Nintendo really shouldn't have tried to let third parties build their base on the console first. I mean, if I weren't a Nintendo fanatic, the 3D really wouldn't be enough for me to buy the console.

 Yeah. There are people waiting for the games and others waiting for a price drop.

Iwata is right about me not having a 3DS in my hands. I'm waiting for more games, the $250 price doesn't bother me.

In my case it's the 3D. I simply don't want it and I'm not paying 250 euros to  always have it turned off. Besides, there are no compelling games for now.

I'm waiting for a truly MUST HAVE game or better battery life, whichever comes first