I honestly don't don't think the 3DS will retail for £250 ($396), I think somewhere between £180-200 ($285-$317). The DS and DSlite launched at £100 ($159) and the DSi and DSiXL at £150 ($240). Though I wouldn't be surprised if it reached that amount, I think it will go around the £200 mark.
On topic, gaming is a cheap hobby but it is much less expensive that it once was. Back in the 4th gen, games used to cost £50 ($79). When one factors in inflation (probably about 2% annually for U.K) and how much real wages have increased, one can understand how much gaming must have been them.