I haven't really cared for graphics whoring once I realized it was a way for developers to treat customers like were are subject to them. Nintendo doing much of the same, even if for not those exact motives, doesn't make me look forward to the system. Not saying the games can't convince me to buy it, but it will take more than what is there now.

For once I can understand his logic.  However, I have to disagree.  Nintendo is building brand loyalty, while allowing the consumer to potentially buy another game...likely a third party game.

@lordtheknight  so you dont like it when a successor to a system looks way better graphically??? I think you might need to find a new hobby then. IMHO it sounds like if it were up to you, we would be stuck in the 16 bit era, good graphics are a part of video games growing, hell its expected. What would you want the next gen systems to do????

I rather disagree. Whilst they could price it at $600 and still have the most successful video game console launch of all time (5 million, ;)), nobody would buy the 3DS two months after launch. If they reduced the price then, it would ruin the 3DS's reputation and consumers would expect constant price cuts and think of it as a failed product that held little value, which would be a terrible position to be in.

1. No, it's when it's trading off affordability, which is often done by more than the graphics though. I don't know if I accidentally indicated it's graphics alone, but it's not.

@lordtheknight  your right sometimes it is more than graphics (PS3) but how about trading in performance for affordability??? Look at Wii, it was easy to afford but by going for the bare minimum they limited themselves to what kind of games it can support (no Fallout 3, GTA4, Just Cause 2)  I know the argument "but they can use Wii ready engines) only in some cases, their is no Wii engine that could run Fallout 3. Even if the devs jumped through hoops to make one it still wouldnt come close to the HD conterparts. (im looking at you Dead Rising WII, you sucked)

on another note Id bet if the Wii wasnt as weak as it was hardware wise it would get all those games that the Wii only owners are crying about. The Gamecube got quite a few games that the comp got. across ALL genres

Some of the large scale games, okay (I agree that Dead Rising could not have had as many zombies on the Wii, but I still like it anyway due to better controls), but many were not that large scale, nor is the system unable to handle original games, and the loads of last gen games that can still be ported to the system.

Furthermore there is also a matter of developer affordability that is being ignored by the big developers, and only a few are really making money, while many are either loosing money or on a revenue rollercoaster.

Then the smaller developers have been embracing the Wii because they know they can afford it. Their niche games wouldn't sell any better on the HD systems, but would cost a lot more to make (and we've seen it happen).

Iwata stated more than once he doesn't like price cuts as they give the message to the customers that the product is overpriced and they should wait before buy it. Understanding his philosophy it is easy to figure out why Nintendo decided for this price point. To set for a higher price with a discount in six months would make many early adopters to feel betrayed. Anyway, typical Pachter analysis, I still wonder if someone really pays for his insights, unless what he writes is much superior to his free commentaries.

while yes innitial shipments i see as being sold out easily i have to disagree with this thinking

You can't just think super short term.  Imagine if say PS3 came out at $800.  I would bet it woud still have sold initial shipments. systems ALWAYS do.

But lets look not too long in the future.  PS3 is a perfect example since it had this very problem.  EVERYONE else was waiting for a price drop.  You can't deny that PS3 would have much much higher numbers now if they were $600 or whatever rediculous price they were starting at.

So its a matter of selling a few million at $300, or selling 10 million at $250 in first year.  Made up exagerated and no basis numbers there, but you get my point.

But hell lets say at $300 they sell 8,000,000 units

at $250 they sell 10,000,000 units.  Thats roughly the same revenue in the end.

BUT at $250 they have 2,000,000 more people BUYING SOFTWARE out there