DS $149, with chat, November 21st! w/game?

[Engineer_J]

$149 price confirmed
Rob Fahey 09:52 21/09/2004

November 21st in North America, December 2nd in Japan for Nintendo's latest

Official details of Nintendo's launch plans for the DS handheld this Christmas have emerged at last, with the company intending to launch the system on November 21st in the USA at a suggested retail price of $149.99.

In a surprising break with tradition for the company, the console will actually arrive in North America first - with the Japanese launch following almost two weeks later, on December 2nd, making it into the first Nintendo console (aside from the China-specific iQue) ever to debut outside Japan.

The American retail price of $149.99 brings the DS in at the low end of the anticipated price scale, which ran from $149 up to around $200. Many retailers have been taking preorders at the $199 mark, and will now refund customers the difference.

While no official launch line-up of software has been confirmed as yet - we expect that Nintendo is saving that detail for its October 7th conference in Tokyo, which we reported on yesterday - the company has revealed that the PictoChat software, which enables users to draw on the screen and share their messages with other DS users wirelessly, will ship for free with the console.

"Nintendo's mission remains unchanged," according to president Satoru Iwata; "expand the game experience. Nintendo DS is the road map to the future of video games, and most clearly demonstrates the type of innovation that players demand."

The European and Australian launches of the DS hardware are set to come next year, with no official date yet announced aside from a reaffirmation of Nintendo's commitment to launch during the first quarter.

Also rumored....

BREAKING: Is there something else up Nintendo's sleeve for the DS launch?
Along with the announcement of the launch price and date of the DS in North America, USA Today has also confirmed that Nintendo will be featuring their first pack-in-game in a long time.

According to Nintendo, "Nintendo's price will include a pack-in game called Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt as well as PictoChat, communications software that lets users send messages and drawings to each other."

It's official. The Nintendo DS will also come boxed with a copy of the game Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt.

This means that DS owners will have two free games/software titles, PictoChat and Metroid Prime Hunters, at launch to enjoy for the DS launch-package price of $149.99.

More as it breaks.

[decorm]

The launch lineup announcement will be interesting. I'll probably end up getting this at some point but probably not on day 1 like GBA.

[SilentBob]

Originally Posted by decorm

The launch lineup announcement will be interesting. I'll probably end up getting this at some point but probably not on day 1 like GBA.

I with you on this (except i got my GBA on the 2nd day) I like that they are finally packing a game (well 2) with their system once again. I will wait for more news on the system and the other launch games but fo rnow I"M BROKE.

[Wurms]

I'll hold out for the PSP

[lopper]

Originally Posted by Wurms

I'll hold out for the PSP

Same here, but I wouldn't be surprised if a DS found it's way into my household at some point.

[sub780lime]

i think i may be waiting, im really tempted, but i havent even been investing time in my GBA so ill let my friend get it first to see how it goes

[Sword of Whedon]

new press releases say it's only a demo of Metroid