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Forums - Nintendo - Nintendo Explains Llack Of US 3DS Sell Outs

Aiddon on 17 April 2011

they're probably making sure they have stock for when it really matters: the holidays.



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Killiana1a on 18 April 2011
Viper1 said:
Killiana1a said:
Nsanity said:

CVG

Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime has been discussing early US 3DS sales following the publication of last night's NPD results.

Asked why there had been no sell-outs - 3DS shifted just under 400,000 units in North America in its first week - he told USA Today:

"I would characterise it as a launch where we learned significant lessons from the launch of Wii and we made sure to have not only ample supply in the marketplace, but we staged supply so it would not sell out.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/298418/news/nintendo-explains-lack-of-us-3ds-sell-outs/

I may be nitpicking here, but what Reggie is saying comes across to me as revisionist history.

From what I remember, the Nintendo Wii did not start running into inadequate supply to meet demand until about 6 months to a year after the launch of the Wii. My recollection is the Wii did not really make a splash until a little longer in.

Am I wrong? Was the Wii selling out from day 1 for 2 years straight?

Depends on your territory.  In the US, it was sell outs from Day 1.  In some parts of Eruope, it took a few months and then it was all sell outs.  Other parts of Europe had sell outs like the US and a few never had sell outs at all.

Thanks for the refresher as it has been a few years since the release of the Wii.

That being covered, I believe the 3DS is doing fine for a high priced hand-held in a very weak US economy. Sure there is this "recovery" on Wall Street, but out here in Main Street America I know many living on unemployment (and a few who bought the 3DS on day 1 via their unemployment check), many retraining (new term for going back to school), and some who are wracking up well over $100k in college debt because they are scared shitless to come out into the real world.

All things considered, the 3DS is doing lovely.



Kasz216 on 18 April 2011
Euphoria14 said:
Christian973 said:
Euphoria14 said:
HappySqurriel said:
Euphoria14 said:
miz1q2w3e said:
Yakuzaice said:
miz1q2w3e said:

Does anyone know how 3DS compares to other console launched? I remember reading that 3DS >> DS in the same timeframe

In the US, the PSP had about 3 extra days (march 24th versus march 27th), and it did 620k versus less than 400k for the 3DS.  Also at $250 for that matter.  Going by VGC numbers, the DS was about 30k higher the first week, but that was November.  Then again, the GBA was still putting up huge numbers, and they probably had less supply.

In Japan, the GBA sold about 130k more in two weeks than the 3DS has in seven.  The GBA was released at the same time in the year.  The DS and PSP were launched near the holidays, but the DS had a bigger launch, and was only lower in week 2.  I'd assume due to supply since week 3 beat the 3DS by over 100k.  The PSP had a slower start, but it started beating the 3DS on a week to week basis by the third week.

In Europe, Tthe PSP did 622k first week and the DS did 305k.

Compared to the Wii, the 3DS was a little higher in Japan and a little lower in NA/EU.  That is of course severe shortages versus plentiful supply.

No wonder people have been calling doom rofl

Awe well, there's always the holidays explosive sales to cheer Nintendo up


You know that just because something is branded "Nintendo" does not mean that sales explode when the holiday season hits?

I am sure 3DS will require a price cut for that to happen, especially if NGP releases this year since it will be the "New Hot Item".

What happens if Sony announces the NGP is $399 and won't release in North America and Europe until 2012?

I'm not saying that will happen, but I think a lot of people are expecting way too much from the NGP and are bound to be disappointed. After all, if the NGP launches in Japan at the same price as the PSP did then one would expect the NGP to be in the $350 range simply by how far the dollar has fallen compared to the Yen; and if Sony makes the NGP modestly more expensive in Japan, it could easily push the NGP past $400 in the United States.

Sony has already stated that NGP will be a loss leader. It will not approach $400.

Either way, we will see who is right once E3 arrives and I remain convinced that it will be priced competitively with 3DS.


Source? I remember clearly in an interview stating they wanted to sell it at a profit.


We both could be right or wrong actually.

Tretton hinted at a high price by saying it would be "affordable", leading some to think it may be a little on the high side while others believe it to be a loss leader.


Well with Sony, Affordable might just mean you only need to get a second job to afford it.