Core Gaming Systems last week revealed that it would cut the price of the Nintendo 3DS by a third in what is viewed as a short-term solution to a drop in gaming device sales.
The price cut follows a slash to Nintendo Wii bundles, which was revealed in May.
In his analysis, Ryan Smit, digital consumer head at BMI-TechKnowledge, says the 3DS has not been as successful as Nintendo projected in its previous forecasts.
He adds that the Nintendo 3DS faces tremendous competition from smartphones which can play HD games due to their powerful processors, explaining that consumers are less inclined to pay for a gaming-only device.
Steven Ambrose, MD at WWW Strategy, agrees that the smartphone market is threatening gaming devices. He also points out that app stores have “commoditised” games, making them cheaper and more accessible.
Smit and Ambrose concur that the reduced price of the Nintendo 3DS will help to increase sales of the 3DS in the short-term. However, they argue that gaming devices, and the companies that manufacture them, would have to change in order to retain consumers.
Core, however, insists that the price was not cut due to a drop in sales. Instead, the company says the decision was taken in order “to make the 3DS more accessible to more users”. It adds that the decision was part of a worldwide price reduction, saying it expects sales to increase as a result of the drop in price.
The company also says the Nintendo 3DS would not be discontinued and it had more game titles planned for the unit.
As of 12 August, the recommended retail price of the Nintendo 3DS, which is currently selling at R2 799, will be R1 899.
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