Well duh the 3DS costs a lot more than the DSi/Lite/etc. For one thing, the DS's internal technology is what, at least a decade old? The thing's power is somewhere in line with the Playstation and N64. The 3DS, on the other hand, is using technology that is maybe only about five years old, since all indicators seem to show that it runs on something like GameCube hardware, which means that for the first time since the original Game Boy launched, Nintendo's home console and portable systems will be roughly equal-powered. On the other hand, it actually has the 3-D screen and technology, which probably actually costs something.
Nevertheless, when has Nintendo ever released a console for $300? I'm pretty sure it's never. The N64 and Wii were the most expensive consoles, and they reached $250 at launch. The DSi is gearing up for a price drop as it is, and no doubt, Nintendo will still be making money on the damn thing. The 3DS will cost less than $200, because 3D or not, costing more than that puts the 3DS in a precarious place to continue to combat the PSP and whatever Sony jumbles together to as the PSP's successor. Nintendo has always kept their portables fairly cheap--fairly affordable--because they know that you can't sell a portable system successfully if it costs a small fortune.
Pachter, as usual, doesn't really know what he's talking about.
