About Nintendo's decisions on the New 3DS for America

Peterthumpa

Peterthumpa

Member
I'm not really an expert on business strategies and approaches, and I'm probably beating a dead horse here, but I'm still trying to understand two points:

- lack of AC adapter;
- only XL version available;

From a cost perspective, I'm really, really doubtful about the real financial benefits on omitting a required accessory for a device like this versus the image damage that this kind of decision may cause. Nintendo is basically lying about the device's MSRP if a charger isn't included, the potential buyer has to buy one, plain and simple. And the "oh, you can use your current 3DS charger" will never cut it. You'll want to sell the thing sooner or later, and doing it without a charger included will lead to a smaller resell value. So, in other words, why Nintendo? Why? Supply constraints? It's not like this company is bleeding money to come up with such extreme decisions. Things like this are what makes me fear for their next console / handheld in the oven - it's puzzling.

Also, more or less the same rant for the non-XL New 3DS. I mean, again, from a financial point of view, faceplates should, in theory, reactivate one of the money printing machines in idle inside Nintendo's HQ. Just take a guess about how much they cost for the end consumer versus how much they cost for Nintendo to produce. Take into account that a single owner could buy dozens of those things, and you got yourself an insta-success on your hands. Again, supply constraints?

Or maybe, just maybe... really bad senior management? I'm sorry guys, but I can't see a point, at all, in things like this. If there's one, enlighten me.
 
Seems kind of dumb to not release the normal new 3DS since they could sell so many faceplates. I like that it's the same price as the normal 3DS XL and makes it so I don't need to choose which one I want though
 
I think it's retarded to be honest. What if someone is jumping to the N3DS as their first Nintendo handheld¿ What if I want the regular sized system¿
 
I really hate the lack of a charger because if GameStop does the promotion where I can get $100 credit towards a N3DS XL for my normal XL, that means I'll lose my charger :/
 
Region-locking means there's really no alternative for me but... to never buy a 3DS.

I want a New 3DS, and I'm a new customer to the platform.
 
It's stupid not to include a necessary device for the system, absolutely no argument there. But I think people are getting too worked up about something that's only an additional $9 purchase. This isn't like the PS Vita where memory cards are grossly overpriced and are still fairly essential to the device.
 
I know that other regions have not had the A/C adapter included for several systems for a while - I always found that odd. I would never buy a new TV only to find that there is no cable for power, what makes this device any different.

Besides, I MIGHT have other 3DS systems around so can use the cable, but if I trade or sell that old system, I now need to fork over extra money for a new A/C adapter?

If this could charge through something more standard like a Micro USB cable that the Vita offers, it wouldn't be so bad.
 
Aiko Heiwa said:
might want to edit the bolded out, pretty sure using that word in that way here is bannable...
Click to expand...

so you quoted the guy instead of PMing him?



on topic..

it's a dumb decision. I can't think of any other electronic device that doesn't come with a charger that doesn't use AA/AAA batteries.
 
The XL only decision makes sense. There won't be enough demand in NA to warrant both models, and retailers aren't giving Nintendo a lot of floor space these days.

The AC adapter is anti consumer and the system should be boycotted and will hopefully flop so as not to send a dangerous message to any other manufacturer that you can get away with this.
 
The no AC adapter can't be right. How would one charge their new system if say there are no more AC adapters to buy?
 
I would be more upset if it wasn't $8 for an official one off of amazon. That's less than the sales tax I would pay for the system.
 
regular 3ds xl and 2ds are still on the shelves here in america so thats probably a reason why
no ac adapter is stupid since i need to trade it in with my 3ds xl to get the promo $100 :/


plus, there are tons of people that would have bought the face plates imo , i say that cause i know a lot of guys and girls that change their phone cases each month.

at least have it for sale through club nintendo or nintendo online store, NoA you dummies
 
all that reasoing goes out of the window if Europe and Australia can get both models and the 3DS sells less there than in America.

NoA is just full of idiots.
 
Derpyduck said:
Makes no sense to sell it in Japan or Europe then either.
Click to expand...

What I'm saying is that those regions probably bought more regular 3DS, both in terms of sales and proportions. They probably didn't find enough appeal in the USA due to several reasons (cost, no interest in faceplates from survey groups, size, etc).
 
I've got like 3 AC adapters so no worries for me, but not releasing the new 3DS in NA that uses faceplates is just baffling. It's like they don't want to make money. The markup of those things must be nuts, just cheap plastic with a paint job.
 
The lack of AC adapter is something they've been doing for some time in countries besides the US. I suppose it's annoying if you don't already have one but personally I have several lying around.

Not releasing the smaller model is stupid though, the faceplates add both an extra revenue stream and something to differentiate it from the XL. I'm sure a lot of people in America would choose customisation over the larger screens. It's not like choosing between the OG 3DS and XL.

If people are willing to buy themes for the home screen then they will definitely buy the faceplates.
 
Juke Joint Jezebel said:
My 3DS XL didn't come with one, 3DS's not having an adapter with them has been a thing in the UK for a long time.
Click to expand...

Japan too I believe. My New 3DS didn't have one in the box. On a personal level, it doesn't effect me as I have an extra one from my DS but it's still really irritating and anti-consumer. How can you sell a device without a charger? If you're going to pull that kind of shit you need to make the charger not be proprietary so we can use mini or micro USB.

The regular not coming stateside is a slap in the face to parents who want it for their kids. My daughter is 9 and there's no way she can comfortably hold an XL. She tries with mine and it's too uncomfortable.
 
1 is a cost-cutting decision + the fact that most people buying them probably already have at least one of the other device chargers.

2 is probably a combination of the normal sized 3DS not selling enough to justify it + having to get even more floor space for faceplates. Nintendo already asked for a big chunk of space for amiibo and retailers might be frustrated if they want more space now so soon.
 
I would love to see sales for both models of 3DS, something tells me the XL was wildly more popular than regular, to the point where it wasnt worth it to include both SKUs here.

You gotta remember that most people in america play their portables at home, its not like Japan or EU where most people do public multi hour public commuting(train, bus) every day.

No charger though, thats fucking insane.
 
Juke Joint Jezebel said:
My Link Between Worlds 3DS XL didn't come with one, 3DS's not having an adapter with them has been a thing in the UK for a long time.
Click to expand...

I was referring to not selling the smaller 3DS in America. Not including an adapter is a dumbshit, anti-consumer move regardless of region. Nintendo has earned its dead last place position, and I get why people applaud that fact. Moves like selling electronics without any means to charge them just tells their customers, "We don't give a shit about you."

Zen_Arcade said:
Do the sales studies match up between all regions?
Click to expand...

The XL dominates in all regions apparently. 2:1 in Japan.
 
Sephzilla said:
It's stupid not to include a necessary device for the system, absolutely no argument there. But I think people are getting too worked up about something that's only an additional $9 purchase. This isn't like the PS Vita where memory cards are grossly overpriced and are still fairly essential to the device.
Click to expand...

I hope you're not one of those people that complain about DLC for games.
 
Seems like they're focusing only on the hardest of the hardcore in the US, which seem to prefer XL and presumably already have an adapter--though not including an adapter is still complete bullshit for a device with a nonstandard connection
 
felipepl said:
I'm not really an expert on business strategies and approaches, and I'm probably beating a dead horse here, but I'm still trying to understand two points:

- lack of AC adapter;
- only XL version available;

From a cost perspective, I'm really, really doubtful about the real financial benefits on omitting a required accessory for a device like this versus the image damage that this kind of decision may cause. Nintendo is basically lying about the device's MSRP if a charger isn't included, the potential buyer has to buy one, plain and simple. And the "oh, you can use your current 3DS charger" will never cut it. You'll want to sell the thing sooner or later, and doing it without a charger included will lead to a smaller resell value. So, in other words, why Nintendo? Why? Supply constraints? It's not like this company is bleeding money to come up with such extreme decisions. Things like this are what makes me fear for their next console / handheld in the oven - it's puzzling.
Click to expand...

I'm not an expert in business or anything but this sort of thing happens everywhere. For example, Cadbury Creme Eggs were in the news recently because they are selling fewer, smaller eggs which are made from something that could hardly be called chocolate for the same price. People are more receptive to getting an inferior, or in this case incomplete, product for the same price than they are to increasing the price.
 
I know it's not the same and one should be in the box but the 3rd party charger I have after stupidly selling mine by accident has been fine.

I don't see how most companies can mess up a charger anyway.
 
The lack of an AC adapter is pretty simple: They think they can get away with it.

I remember back in 2003, the stuff you used to get when you bought an iPod...all sorts of accessories. Cables, docks -- I can't remember it all, but the box was full. Now, you literally only get a USB cable and headphones. Not even a wall adapter. Apple learned they could get away with charging extra. And they have.

The lack of faceplates on the XL model is something I don't get. Those things probably cost only $1-$2 to make; the margins have to be huge. I can understand why they're only releasing the XL model here, but I don't know why Nintendo didn't design it to accept faceplates.
 
The no AC thing happened in Europe with the XL right? I thought a consumer friendly place like the EU would have laws to prohibit this shit, disgusting.
 
It means I won't be buying once since though I have an XL original model, I find it's too big for comfortable travel and wanted to get the smaller one, with the benefit of faceplates and such. Instead I'll just stick with my old XL I suppose. And wait it out. Hopefully they come to their senses.

Syntsui said:
The no AC thing happened in Europe with the XL right? I thought a consumer friendly place like the EU would have laws to prohibit this shit, disgusting.
Click to expand...

To prohibit what? Selling a product and including the items you state are included?
 
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