1. Nintendo said Japan will be 25,000Y

2. Nintendo launched the Wii in Japan for 25,000Y

3. Nintendo launched the Wii in US for $250

4. Nintendo said SMB edition of DSi XL is 18,000Y

5. Nintendo sells DSi XL for $180 in US now

I think this all demonstrates that Nintendo of America will most probably say the 3DS is $250 in the US and comparable prices in EU, etc.

Even if this price means its a loss due to exchange rates, they know it will be popular as well as its software, so they'll still make a great deal of profit from each unit sold.

I have been incredibly excited about the 3DS since the moment it was announced.  The idea of 3D without the cursed glasses sounds great and the lineup is already incredible.

The moment they announced the price for it though I immediately stopped caring.  $300 is just way too much for a hand held.  After a few price drops when I get it for under $200 and preferably around $150 I'll get one, but until then, not a chance in Hell.

I guess it'll be $250 for thw West. The Japanese deserve to pay more.

what!! that means its going to be 400 in my country, holy shit!!.

that means im going to have a psp2.

I'm 99% sure it'll be 249 here in the states....which is still too high comparing it to a Wii for 199 and PS3 for 299.

3 kids 3 DS.  Does that seem extreme to you? I dont know any parents that have the kids share DS's.

$250 sounds about right for the US. People will buy it on hype alone, and the launch titles look pretty damn solid.

back in my day all we had was a can and a rock to play with. lol

Thanks for one of the most reasonable and USEFUL posts here.

We've read about the yen being so strong right now that Japan is worried and actively trying to make the situation better for exports.  As someone that has a very limited understanding of exchange rates and exports (but I learn fast; thank you internet), I found this simplified explanation:

"The way changes in the exchange rate affect exports and imports can be briefly explained as follows. When the U.S. dollar appreciates, foreign goods (expressed in U.S. dollars) become cheaper and U.S. goods (expressed in foreign currencies) become more expensive. Assume, for example, that one U.S. dollar was equal to 100 Japanese yen and a Sony television is priced at 15,000 yen in Japan—implying that the television is worth $150 in the United States. Now, assume that the U.S. dollar appreciates so that one dollar equals to 150 yen. The stronger dollar implies that the Sony television set will now cost only $100 in the United States. The lower price of the television set (in terms of the U.S. dollar) leads to increased sales of Sony television sets in the United States—that is, an increase in imports into the United States."

That being said, I would think its a bit hard to know for sure how much this will cost in the US.  The dollar is weak against the yen right now; much weaker than during previous game console launches.  Considering demand will be relatively high and Nintendo has stated repeatedly that it WILL NOT lose money on the 3DS when it launches, I think there is a definite possibility that it will release at $299 in the US.  Regardless it definitely WON'T be less than $249.  Those that state that are just speaking out of pure ignorance.

It will be $250. 25.000 Yen are approx. 219 Euro. So if they release it at 249 Euro in Europe, it will most likely be $249 in America, since Europe always gets the short end of the deal :(

Europe's prices in Euro = America's prices in dollar.