Only the early adopters (hardcore Nintendo fans/tech geeks) are going to be picking up a 3DS at $250 US (the likely launch price). The mass market (parents buying the portables for their children) isn't going to bite on a $250 handheld. The DS Lite was popular in large part because it was only $130. I don't know what the DSi and DSi XL figures were like n North America and Europe so I can't comment on whether $170-$200 would be considered the "mass market" range for portables. What we do know is that $250 is way above that "mass market" sweet spot. I know that kids are relatively spoiled these days. But $250 for a handheld is probably way more than a parent would tolerate.
Honestly I think Nintendo could have a financial bomb on their hands. They have all these first-party 3DS games in development. But only the hardcore geeky types (hardcore Nintendo fans 15 and over and tech geeks) with the disposable income to blow are gonna buy the 3DS and buy these games.
Personally Im not going to get this at launch. I like Nintendo's stuff but I am not a hardcore Nintendo fan. Mario, Zelda, Mario Kart, etc. is worth looking into but its not going to make me run out and buy a new system. I bought a DS primarily because it was (and is) an old-school RPG fan's wet dream. Afaik there are no RPGs at launch. And my favorite non-RPG DS franchises (Ace Attorney and Hotel Dusk) arent going to be on the 3DS anytime soon.
