[JonathanEx]

I know this is an old topic, but the consumer consensus has shown that people aren't willing to spend 40€ or 40 Pound for 3DS or Vita games. IOS has effectively destroyed the premium handheld market as it existed with the DS. This kind of pricepoint isn't going to fly anymore except for some choice games, and I suspect that dedicated handheld gaming (that includes full fledged games on 3DS, Vita, IOS and Android) is again becoming a niche market after the ballooning that happened last gen. I wonder if Nintendo will release a dedicated Pokemon for the 3DS to save the EU/US markets, cause honestly, with this kind of shit they're not going to make progress here.

I wonder if it's actually not just to do with iOS, and just... the appetite for just such high prices is dropping. Looking at Mario Kart 7, as a pure example, I'm loving it and it's fantastic - but am I feeling I'm getting £40 worth out of it? I'm really not sure. £20/£25? Absolutely. It's something I've thought for a while: games, particularly handheld ones, cost too much a lot of the time just for people to afford. At least with physical the retailers will eventually drop the price a bit.

Sorry, bit of a tangent there. But semi-relevant as Nintendo thinks that's what people should pay for their games.

[Zen_Arcade]

I find the concept of wanting a cartridge because you trade in portable video games to be so incredibly strange that I didn't even consider the possibility when I made my post.

They gave other reasons on top of it. I never trade in games and given the option I always buy digital.

Some people collect games, some people trade them between friends so they can play more and save money. Some people enjoy the few times where companies still make good manuals for games. Some people cant afford to buy every game that they want unless they use their old games as trade in money to get something new.

[Shiggy]

I've sent an angry email to Nintendo explaining why this price is too high. I doubt they'll change it, but I won't be buying any of their games digitally until they rectify this strategy.

As if the people you wrote to or even NoE had any say in this.

[tsab]

The most popular portable gaming systems in the world don't use physical media for games, so I'd say continuing to do so at this point is a very dated concept. Physical products need to continue to exist, but they should be the premium products, not downloads.

or physical input for controls. :P

/off topic

But you are right about the physical product being the premium ones.
I can buy disc based games and books cheaper than buying them on PSN, Steam or from Kindle Store.

This doesn't make sense

[butter_stick]

They gave other reasons on top of it. I never trade in games and given the option I always buy digital. Some people collect games, some people trade them between friends so they can play more and save money. Some people enjoy the few times where companies still make good manuals for games. Some people cant afford to buy every game that they want unless they use their old games as trade in money to get something new.

Again, I find this all really baffling. Digital games, to me, are far superior for collection purposes. And manuals and trade ins mean nothing to me.

Here, I'll clarify: physical releases of handheld games is prehistoric to me. Do you feel better?

Glad to see you've changed your tune!

They only need to exist because people don't know what's best for them. I can't wait for the digital only future.

[Lachie007]

Theres games on the australian psn store that go for $109. Not kidding!

Did we expect them to price it lower than retail?

[Nosgoroth]

Hey Europe, £39.99 for NSMB2 comes to $47. We’ll be paying $69.95 for it on our eShop. Cry more.

We are in the process of doing so, thanks.

[Snowden's Secret]

Dat tightrope walk with retailers.

"We're selling our games digitally!"

"Well better make sure they can't compete with our brick and mortars or we won't stock your hardware!"

I don't have any strong feelings either way about this, but this does confirm I'll be getting a physical Animal Crossing.

[Ushojax]

Remember when NoE was given that massive fine for price fixing? Fuck them.

[EatChildren]

Nintendo continues the trend of having the most unappealing digital distribution service of any major company. There goes any chance of me ever using my 3DS as a digital platform. Well done Nintendo.

[Fantasy Final]

Wait, people really wanna buy DD games with Nintendo? People are scared when 1 game is being removed from XBLA and you guys think it's a better idea to go DD with Nintendo?

[Zen_Arcade]

Again, I find this all really baffling. Digital games, to me, are far superior for collection purposes. And manuals and trade ins mean nothing to me. Here, I'll clarify: physical releases of handheld games is prehistoric to me. Do you feel better? They only need to exist because people don't know what's best for them. I can't wait for the digital only future.

God damn you are a dick. "Whats best for them". Must be great to know what everyone should do. Please, tell us more about our opinions are wrong and we should all do what you do. Get over yourself man.

[Snowden's Secret]

Again, I find this all really baffling. Digital games, to me, are far superior for collection purposes. And manuals and trade ins mean nothing to me. Here, I'll clarify: physical releases of handheld games is prehistoric to me. Do you feel better? They only need to exist because people don't know what's best for them. I can't wait for the digital only future.

If the digital copy is the superior one then you should have no problem accepting that it should cost more, no?

[MarshMellow96]

How's the whole 'unified account' thing going, Nintendo?

[SmokyDave]

Here, I'll clarify: physical releases of handheld games is prehistoric to me. Do you feel better?

I'm with you but I think we're in a tiny minority.

[Mastgrr]

Prime example of internal Nintendo politicking: they refuse to sell their games at lower price points because they believe it devalues their games.

I forget where I read that in an interview with one of their developers.

[King_Moc]

Digital games, to me, are far superior for collection purposes.

You have the potential to lose them once the company you bought them from stops operating. Or, as with Steam, once you decide you no longer want to sign their new terms and conditions. Or if you get banned from the forums with EA. Or if your account is hacked with Blizzard. I can't see why you'd have this opinion. Unless you've only ever bought The Witcher 2 digitally, as CD Project Red are one of very few companies to get it right.

[michaelius]

Don't worry guys- didn't they have recently first ever historical 20% off digital sale?

That would mean you can in a year or two hope to buy it for small price tag of 32 pounds ;)

[Cheesecakebobby]

Hey Europe, £39.99 for NSMB2 comes to $47. We’ll be paying $69.95 for it on our eShop. Cry more.

Is that AUD? Should come to something like $60 then. Still bad though.

[fabricated backlash]

As if the people you wrote to or even NoE had any say in this.

Yet they are made responsible for low sales. That's the beauty of having a completely dependent subsidiary. They can't move without Japan telling them to, and Japan can blame them if the strategies they came up in Tokyo suddenly don't work.

At least they will have some emails to show Iwata...

[Ushojax]

Prime example of internal Nintendo politicking: they refuse to sell their games at lower price points because they believe it devalues their games. I forget where I read that in an interview with one of their developers.

They are right, though. The reason Nintendo's main franchise games sustain their RRP for so long is because people are willing to pay that for them. There is no reason for them to change that.

That's a different thing to these digital prices, though. This is very much a case of retailer appeasement.

[OneMoreQuestion]

Hey Europe, £39.99 for NSMB2 comes to $47. We’ll be paying $69.95 for it on our eShop. Cry more.

I think your currency conversion is off... It's pounds not Euros remember?

EDIT: Whoops, was still looking at stuff from the previous page...

[Michan]

They only need to exist because people don't know what's best for them. I can't wait for the digital only future.

Closed markets are just great

[DavidDayton]

Er, assuming RPP means what I assume it means, why would anyone expect a publisher to sell their game for less than the RPP?

I mean, I understand the annoyance, but isn't this more of a "everyone else is discounting" as opposed to "NOE is intentionally overcharging"?

[Michan]

Er, assuming RPP means what I assume it means, why would anyone expect a publisher to sell their game for less than the RPP? I mean, I understand the annoyance, but isn't this more of a "everyone else is discounting" as opposed to "NOE is intentionally overcharging"?

Recommended retail price. If you sell it higher, you're doing it wrong. If you sell it at RRP, you're Canada.

[butter_stick]

You have the potential to lose them once the company you bought them from stops operating. Or, as with Steam, once you decide you no longer want to sign their new terms and conditions. Or if you get banned from the forums with EA. Or if your account is hacked with Blizzard. I can't see why you'd have this opinion. Unless you've only ever bought The Witcher 2 digitally, as CD Project Red are one of very few companies to get it right.

Because I still have all my Steam games easily accessible, where as I couldn't tell you where the majority of my games before 2010 are. They're somewhere, I don't know know where, and realistically I'll never play them again. As soon as consoles stop supporting old systems, the games are basically dead to me. My PS2 collection is completely worthless because my PS3 doesn't play PS2 games and I'm never going to hook up a Playstation 2 again.

Closed markets are just great

Yes, Steam is great.

[EatChildren]

Er, assuming RPP means what I assume it means, why would anyone expect a publisher to sell their game for less than the RPP?

Because a digital sale cuts out the cost of disk/cart, manual and package manufacturing, worldwide shipping, and retail cut. It costs them less to offer the game digitally and they make a larger cut of the profits.

From a consumer point of view, this generally warrants a lower market price.

[Shiggy]

Nintendo continues the trend of having the most unappealing digital distribution service of any major company. There goes any chance of me ever using my 3DS as a digital platform. Well done Nintendo.

At least you don't need to use a shitty client. Also, you can use your games offline and cannot be locked out of them as with that certain service on PC.

Nonetheless, digital distribution with closed systems is pretty much for da shit if you want low prices. And that's what counts for me together with usability.

[DavidDayton]

Recommended retail price. If you sell it higher, you're doing it wrong. If you sell it at RRP, you're Canada.

I thought other folks had already confirmed that the UK eShop was not selling over the RRP, but rather at the RRP.

I mean, if Nintendo itself was selling a game for LESS than the "RRP", then clearly the RRP isn't actually the RRP -- right?

Because a digital sale cuts out the cost of disk/cart, manual and package manufacturing, worldwide shipping, and retail cut. It costs them less to offer the game digitally and they make a larger cut of the profits. From a consumer point of view, this generally warrants a lower market price.

Oh, no, I fully understand the consumer desire and expectation of a lower price -- I just don't see why anyone would expect NOE to sell a new game for less than the officially suggested price. To do so would undermine the suggested price, I would think.

(...and, as a wacky side note, doesn't the iTunes store charge about as much for a album/film as a hard copy of that item would be? I'd never buy a digital copy that cost the same as a hard copy, but I had the impression the general public seemed quite happy to do so. Granted, I have no idea what European prices are for films/music...)

[BGBW]

Many need to realise that online retailers can afford to charge the prices they do because they don't pay VAT by basing themselves in the Channel Islands.

[Currygan]

The same way 3DS XL is 174.99 Pounds.

fixed price? Okay, but if you're launching a new service in which you as a company should save manifacturing money- no, it definitely DOES save them a lot of that money- then you should at least offer some incentive...free Eshop game, a discount for such virtaul console games etc etc

as it is, it's pretty barebones and downright unacceptable

[Snowden's Secret]

Prime example of internal Nintendo politicking: they refuse to sell their games at lower price points because they believe it devalues their games. I forget where I read that in an interview with one of their developers.

It's a successful strategy--Nintendo games are among the only games I buy new, simply because I know they aren't likely to drop in price in any reasonable time frame. I mean, I love a lot of Ubisoft games, but I'd be dumb to buy one at launch when we all know it'll be $20 in less than two months.

[SmokyDave]

I don't get why the RRP is the same for the physical and the digital product. It's like charging the same for a hardback as a paperback.

[fabricated backlash]

Because a digital sale cuts out the cost of disk/cart, manual and package manufacturing, worldwide shipping, and retail cut. It costs them less to offer the game digitally and they make a larger cut of the profits. From a consumer point of view, this generally warrants a lower market price.

To be fair in that regard though, no other DD plattform holder applies that lower pricepoint permanently though. Steam, Origin, PSN, XBL etc all use the standard retail price point despite being completely digital.

The only difference is that at least with Steam you have more options and great promotions once every while. Even MS has started doing something similar... unfortunately so far just with garbage titles, but better than nothing.

[cw_sasuke]

Show me that I'm wrong. Everyone know that if there is no competition, then they market whatever they want.

There is competition or what do you think iOS, Android, PSN, Steam etc. are? They just don't give a damn.

[Michan]

Yes, Steam is great.

Steam isn't a closed market. Steam is, really, just another retail outlet. How often is it that there is a game listed on Steam that you can't buy anywhere else?

I've actually bought more games outside of Steam this year, despite them being readily available there.

You instead need to compare Nintendo's solution to the App Store or PSN (although, to be fair, PSN doesn't exactly fit with your "digital-only future" criteria, since they also sell b&m gift cards which are, again, almost always cheaper than just buying from the service).

Edit: apologies for sloppy typing, alcohol + 5AM = bad combination

[watershed]

Nintendo maximizing profits by selling DD at RRP is no surprise. If it turns out it is at and not above RRP the thread title should be amended. There's plenty of complaining and debating to be had with DD at RRP without suggesting Nintendo is actually marking up their retail games on the eshop.

[Robin64]

Nintendo have openly said they let retailers set a price to sell based on the trade price, but that was when they were talking about the 3DS and 3DS XL hardware, so I don't know if it applies to software or not or if they do have an RRP for software.

Anyway, Animal Crossing is a must-have digitally, but I won't be paying more than £34.99 for it. I'd rather go without than send a message that £39.99 is sensible pricing.

[snap0212]

Again, I find this all really baffling. Digital games, to me, are far superior for collection purposes. And manuals and trade ins mean nothing to me. Here, I'll clarify: physical releases of handheld games is prehistoric to me. Do you feel better? They only need to exist because people don't know what's best for them. I can't wait for the digital only future.

I'm not sure I get what you're saying. You feel like the, in your opinion, superior product should not cost more? You say the disadvantages don't matter to you at all but expect the price to be lower? The only reason why the price should be lower are these disadvantages (no resell, cheaper delivery...), and if you don't care about them then and you think that digital is superior then the higher price shouldn't bother you at all.

I mean, you can't say "Yes, this is way better but hell no I won't pay any more for it".

[King_Moc]

Because I still have all my Steam games easily accessible, where as I couldn't tell you where the majority of my games before 2010 are. They're somewhere, I don't know know where, and realistically I'll never play them again. As soon as consoles stop supporting old systems, the games are basically dead to me. My PS2 collection is completely worthless because my PS3 doesn't play PS2 games and I'm never going to hook up a Playstation 2.

That comparison doesn't really work, as you've bought backwards compatibility onto it, making it a PC vs Console argument. The BC issue with consoles is another argument against digital downloads, surely? What happens when they switch the old consoles servers off, and the new one can't play those games anymore?

[Nibel]

I don't get why the RRP is the same for the physical and the digital product. It's like charging the same for a hardback as a paperback.

Seems like they are testing waters and want to see how far they'll get with cockiness :lol

I still think that most stuff on the eShop is overpriced which is why I will buy my Nintendo stuff from retail. The sad part is that they might do the same with the Wii U eShop which would be pretty shitty.

Oh well.

[butter_stick]

I'm not sure I get what you're saying. You feel like the, in your opinion, superior product should not cost more? You say the disadvantages don't matter to you at all but expect the price to be lower? The only reason why the price should be lower are these disadvantages (no resell, cheaper delivery...), and if you don't care about them then and you think that digital is superior then the higher price shouldn't bother you at all. I mean, you can't say "Yes, this is way better but hell no I won't pay any more for it".

Because there's no manufacturing costs and there's no retailers taking a chunk of the money. Isn't this obvious?

That comparison doesn't really work, as you've bought backwards compatibility onto it, making it a PC vs Console argument. The BC issue with consoles is another argument against digital downloads, surely? What happens when they switch the old consoles servers off, and the new one can't play those games anymore?

I'll cry when it happens. I doubt I'm not going to be able to keep downloading my XBLA games for as long as I want. I'm also fairly sure I'll be able to play them on any future Microsoft console. I also don't expect consoles to keep using physical media forever, so if anything having games on an account makes them easier to play (see, Vita) in the future.

[Michan]

I thought other folks had already confirmed that the UK eShop was not selling over the RRP, but rather at the RRP. I mean, if Nintendo itself was selling a game for LESS than the "RRP", then clearly the RRP isn't actually the RRP -- right?

Again – it's "recommended," meaning that research has determined the rrp (under most circumstances) to be the maximum a consumer is willing to pay for a product on a mass-market scale.

Nobody prices at rrp, because competitors will always undercut you. That is, unless you're intent on running a failing business (Game, hmv).

[TheMagician]

I was going to go download only and was quite looking forward to NSMB2 being my first game. However, at this price I wont be buying and I'm not sure if I'll even bother getting the game at all now.

Iwata is a clown.

[BGBW]

I don't get why the RRP is the same for the physical and the digital product. It's like charging the same for a hardback as a paperback.

Trying no to defend the price here but if that Japanese twitter image is anything to go by I find it perplexing that retailers are offering the download codes at a higher price. That is what should be cheaper. The price on the eShop should almost be a placeholder set high so not to upset the retailers, but not the price to buy at. The download codes should be the real price and the recommended way of getting a game.

I so realise this removes the advantage of not having to leave the house to get the game instantly.

[VOOK]

I think your currency conversion is off... It's pounds not Euros remember? EDIT: Whoops, was still looking at stuff from the previous page...

Nope you're right. It's $59 AUD converted from GBP. Still $10 more.

[Pikma]

Again, I find this all really baffling. Digital games, to me, are far superior for collection purposes. And manuals and trade ins mean nothing to me. Here, I'll clarify: physical releases of handheld games is prehistoric to me. Do you feel better? They only need to exist because people don't know what's best for them. I can't wait for the digital only future.

Tell me more, I want more. Are touch-screen controls best for everyone too? should we ditch buttons/sticks because [b]you[b/] know whats better for us? You're awesome.

Oh, your reasons also baffle me, see? because we have opinions. I couldn't care less about DD (I suppose I don't know what's best for me yet), but I haven't come out tell anyone how they are wrong because they don't have the same tastes/needs/opinions as me.

[snap0212]

Because there's no manufacturing costs and there's no retailers taking a chunk of the money. Isn't this obvious?

The pricing of a product has very little to do with the production costs. If it's the superior product then it should also be worth more and the higher price is justified.

[butter_stick]

Tell me more, I want more. Are touch-screen controls best for everyone too? should we ditch buttons/sticks because [b]you[b/] know whats better for us? You're awesome. Oh, your reasons also baffle me, see? because we have opinions. I couldn't care less about DD (I suppose I don't know what's best for me yet), but I haven't come out tell anyone how they are wrong because they don't have the same tastes/needs/opinions as me.

You're not wrong, you're just not a convert yet. Eventually everybody will go digital only and they'll love it.

The pricing of a product has very little to do with the production costs. If it's the superior product then it should also be worth more and the higher price is justified.

There's this thing called iTunes, you may want to look in to it.

[DavidDayton]

Because there's no manufacturing costs and there's no retailers taking a chunk of the money. Isn't this obvious?

You're arguing a philosophical point, though, not a business one. Why should (brand new product) cost Person A 10 fauxcoin and Person B 12 fauxcoin when both are buying the same product, just in different packaging?

Again – it's "recommended," meaning that research has determined the rrp (under most circumstances) to be the maximum a consumer is willing to pay for a product on a mass-market scale. Nobody prices at rrp, because competitors will always undercut you. That is, unless you're intent on running a failing business (Game, hmv).

How could a company store sell a product for LESS than they are suggesting it be sold at? Wouldn't that necessarily mean the RPP wasn't actually the RPP, but rather the price they are selling it at?

(...and, again, I also think digital releases should be cheaper due to the savings in production AND reduction in user functionality, but I can't understand why anyone would expect a manufacturer to sell their own product for LESS than they officially recommend it be sold for.)