“Thank You” Nintendo…

Now for the rest of the story (Paul Harvey if you don’t recognize the quote) Nintendo has set the stage to try to amaze people once again with the Nintendo 3ds. Already I feel a wave of bile raising my throat because of the thought that games I like, but that are only available on the DS, will appear on this new system that Nintendo claims will release in Japan with in the next year (which means a US release with in 2 years), While more information is set to be released at E3: the Electronic Entertainment Expo, I can’t help but feel outraged.

Nintendo over the past as memory serves, five almost 6 years, has released not one, or two, but four DS systems. Seriously four systems! Now they are getting ready to release another system… my pocket book moans at the thought, especially considering the last two systems have been released about a year apart. This new system claims no 3-d glasses will be required but virtually nothing more was said beyond that. I hold my breath… and my lunch, in check right now.

If Nintendo can pull this off, they will SERIOUSLY need to update the Wii to keep up with the technological curve, since right now, even sitting on my bookshelf, compared to the 360, and the PS3 it is growing rapidly to be, and in fact was upon release (save the motion sensing technology), an outdated system. It cannot (for those of you who do not own one) play DVDs, it can’t surf the web, nor can you use it to access media on any other system in your home. In fact graphically speaking, to my eye, it is a step up above the Game Cube, but not a huge one. With Microsoft and Sony both posed to bring out motion sensing technology this year, Nintendo needs a new gamble.

I don’t see myself buying a 3d DS system. IN FACT, I have not purchased any of my DS systems… they have all been gifts because I long ago gave up the idea of good games coming out on the portable systems. I am big enough to admit that I was wrong on that count, however I still feel that this could be a horrendous step for any company to make. It will almost definitely set off a new round in the ever ongoing console wars that the big 3 have going. While I personally have said it was coming, most experts have said it wouldn’t be until 2011, or more likely 2012 before the next “generation” of the wars sets off. Nintendo releasing a new console however will set off the new round… the only question is who will fire the first salvo?

What do you think? I see people (easily) shelling out 1500 for 3d televisions (since the current 3d adds about 1k to the price tag), another 300 for 3d computer monitors, 200 or more for computer updates, and that’s not starting on the consoles. Unless someone finds a way to make the laughable PS3 model work in the next generation we are looking at 3 consoles priced between 300 to 500 dollars each (unless the big N pulls another surprise with a $250 console). Following Microsoft’s pattern, then people will have to spend another 50 on a second controller (more if you want 3 or 4), another 50 for the upgraded video cables, 100 for a wireless adapter for your console, monthly membership fees of 10 to 20 dollars to take your system online, since it will ship with no Games 60 to 80 dollars for that first game, not to mention the warranty they want you to buy, any external storage devices you might need, etc. So lets do the math… next (2011) Christmas shopping season, expect your kids to want… that’s right $3,000 worth of upgrades if your lucky.

Hurts don’t it?