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.

300€ is way too much for a Nintendo console for me, 50€ is something what I might consider. IF there are some good games on the console.

Oh boy, here we go...

Do you buy consoles because of the games or why?

Man, you were buying your games from a dodgy dealer! 

I vividly recall walking into HMV/Woolworths (those were the days ) and buying a PS1 game for less than £5. Infact, the most expensive game I'd bought up until I got FF12 7 weeks after release date was the original Harry Potter game for les than £20, and we thought the world was ending at that price or something!

Also, I agree, I'll be stunned if the price is above £210, infact, I'll be stunned if it's above £185. That my estimate anyway.

We'll see VERY soon...

By 4th gen I meant the SNES/Sega MD era.  Due to home console games being cartridges, the marginal costs of games were really high which meant higher prices.  CDs are a fraction of the price, which lead to cheaper games.  I know it's for the US, but this is illustrated by the  picture below.

I want the 3Ds but Im afraid The system is too expensive, plus theres the fact that once its released theres 100% chance of the whole revision Nintendo loves to do.....So I think Im going to wait till the price of games and the console are lower(perhaps used )

exactly how I feel.  Id love to get one at launch but I know within a year there will be a better version come out with more battery life, better screens and 3D view just like all the model changes the regular DS had.

I think that's a lot of eggs to but in one basket though...

Heck, here I am with a DS Phat which has a battery of 15 minutes, top screen needs to be supported with your hand, no sound from either speakers and only displays in shades of red and green (Dropped onto hard concrete from a car, hit the hinge, then hit again after a few months by a pillow whilst open, broke one of the wires) but I'm perfectly happy with it. 

Granted, I now have a DSi as well, but just because there maybe a new model, doesn't mean you should wait for it as though it's as inevitable as a Mario game selling over a million units