Analysts believe that Nintendo will combat the Xbox 360 and PS3 price cuts made by Microsoft and Sony by announcing a number of new accessories later this week, in addition to a Nintendo DS revision.
Although it hasn't been confirmed by Nintendo, it is firmly believed that a new DS model will be announced this week at a media and investors meeting in Japan and will be released in the territory before Christmas. The new DS revision will come equipped with a camera, allow users to play music and feature 'advanced wireless functionality.'
Although Nintendo hasn't officially revealed the final details, it's rumoured that the new model will be even slimmer than the DS lite and that the camera will be compatible with some Nintendo DS games. Currently, there's also no word on how Nintendo plans for us to store our musical content on the handheld.
Meanwhile, various Japanese-based analysts predict that Nintendo won't drop the price of Wii to compete with Microsoft and Sony, but instead will look at broadening the range of accessories, such as the Wii board.
"Nintendo has no need to cut the Wii's price,'' said Takashi Oka, a senior analyst at CSK Institute for Sustainability, a Tokyo-based research firm.
"If Nintendo cuts prices now, people who already bought the Wii will feel they've lost money. Nintendo won't do such a thing.''
Naoki Fujiwara, who, according to Bloomberg, oversees about $720 million as chief fund manager at Tokyo- based Shinkin Asset Management Co, believes that its the quality of the games that will see Nintendo achieve its forecast of selling 30.5 million DS players and 26 million Wii units
before the end of the financial year on March 31, 2009.
"Chances are Nintendo will introduce home-made game titles such as a new version of the Wii Sports,'' he commented.
"There are slight expectations Nintendo will bring out the latest episode of Dragon Quest for the DS. If it happens, it would have a big impact.''
Source ::
Bloomberg
HEXUS related reading
HEXUS.gaming -
news ::
Nintendo launch new BBC iPlayer as a Wii Channel
HEXUS.gaming -
news ::
Worldwide Wii sales slump by 43 per cent
HEXUS.gaming -
news ::
UK and Europe get Black Wii for Xmas
HEXUS.gaming -
news ::
Free Nintendo DSi points offer
HEXUS.gaming -
tech explained ::
Motion-sensing game controllers explained
HEXUS.gaming -
news ::
Nintendo confirms DSi XL for 2010
HEXUS.gaming -
news ::
GoldenEye remake rumoured: Golden Eye 2010?
HEXUS.gaming -
news ::
Market experts predict first Nintendo profit slump for six years
HEXUS.gaming -
news ::
Wii Firmware update crashed your console?
HEXUS.gaming -
news ::
New Super Mario Bros. Wii-enhanced version hits Europe this year
HEXUS.gaming -
reviews ::
Sharkoon X-Tatic Digital v3: the ultimate games console accessory?
HEXUS.gaming -
news ::
adhocParty system coming to PSP in Europe
HEXUS.gaming -
news ::
PS3 set to release Facebook integration before Xbox 360?
HEXUS.gaming -
news ::
Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter U.K. release date confirmed
HEXUS.gaming -
news ::
Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter surfaces at UK supermarketAll Nintendo related content on HEXUS 
printer friendly layout 
discuss in the forums 
email to a friend
IE7 Search
Firefox 2 Search
HEXUS.community :: your right2reply
most dissapointing console i have ever owned. And i loved my snes n64 and gamecube.Quote
Well whether they want to drop them or not they will be since the Sainsbury's £150 deal!
Nintendo haven't dropped the price
Sainsburys did, otherwise EVERYONE will be selling them for £150, and sainsburys will have limited stock, so when it's finished the price will returnQuote
I feel a price drop should be on the cards even if they do not agree.
Having a Wii at a similar price point to the DS would probably not do their market share as many favours as a clear difference but who knows if this is part of their thought process.
As finlay666 noted, people will still pay.Quote
Nintendo haven't dropped the price
Sainsburys did, otherwise EVERYONE will be selling them for £150, and sainsburys will have limited stock, so when it's finished the price will return
If you read my post properly you'll see I didn't say Nintendo had cut the price. Maybe it could have been worded better but I cleary said Sainsbury's had dropped it.
A sign of things to come though I reckon & if they can do it then I bet other retailers can/will do a similar thing.Quote
Reply