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When the DSi launches on November 1st, it will cost Japanese consumers ¥18,900, or the equivalent of $200 at current exchange rates. Alas, import stores apparently didn't get that memo. Earlier this week, YesAsia was one of the first major importers to open its DSi preorder scheme, demanding an eye-watering price of $299.99 for Nintendo's upgraded handheld. That's a 50% rise on what you'd pay on a Japanese high street.
Since then, others have followed suit, with Play-Asia opening its preorders yesterday at the same price. A quick scan of Google's Shopping channel turned up the following offers (bear in mind the top three will also add shipping costs):
- YesAsia.com: $299.99
- Play-Asia.com: $299.99
- Model-Gadget.com: $272.29
- Gadget-Asia.com: $318.30 (free shipping)
_cg_oct22_kjgfdhd_thumbnail.jpg "Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
10-24-2008 @ 2:16PM
Eddie said...
just got mine at gadget-asia :)
No, j/k. that is outrageous. I will wait until... my lite dies.
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10-24-2008 @ 3:13PM
Erik Stroud said...
Im staying with my lite. It's the only way I can keep my M3Sakura and GBA capabilities so I see no need for the new one.
10-24-2008 @ 2:17PM
EvilEmperor said...
Probably because it does not even have enough supply for local Japanese retailers.
http://blog.livedoor.jp/geek/archives/50752020.html
It reports that the shops had to stop accepting pre-orders within 20 minutes. Seems like the Black one is more popular.
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/gmax/4902370517187/
Indeed the online shops in Japan is selling 50% more than the original price (29,800yen vs. originally 18,900yen), and it is still sold out.
That's crazy, it is more expensive than both XBox360 and Wii...
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10-24-2008 @ 2:18PM
igorponweed said...
If that's how much it costs when it comes, DO NOT WANT.
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10-24-2008 @ 2:47PM
Roto13 said...
Why the hell would it cost that much when it hits North America?
10-24-2008 @ 3:03PM
igorponweed said...
No reason whatsoever.
10-24-2008 @ 2:24PM
Garst said...
I'll wait until it actually is released in America to get one. Most likely not until there is several games that take advantage of the new hardware that I want. By then, I shouldn't have any problem getting one for the MSRP.
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10-24-2008 @ 2:43PM
InvisibleMan said...
So, basically, they are selling it for the price equivalent of TWO PSP-3000s!
Thank you very much, but one of the main draws of the DS was its price, originally...
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10-24-2008 @ 2:48PM
Roto13 said...
Will you even be able to access DSiWare in North America with a Japanese DSi?
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10-24-2008 @ 2:58PM
Raytia said...
no, it's region locked.
10-24-2008 @ 4:16PM
Roto13 said...
I always took that to mean that American DSiWare games won't work on a Japanese DSi. That doesn't necessarily mean you won't be able to access the Japanese DSiWare store at all.
10-24-2008 @ 3:26PM
Alex said...
What did you expect? There is profit to be made, not to mention whatever else there is to pay. Makes me remember, back when the Wii launched in the US, the Wiis at the grey market were priced at 750 dollars at Mercadolibre. That is three times the price at the US. Sure, import taxes are very high in Latin America, but still 750 dollars was a lot. Supply and demand, folks.
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10-24-2008 @ 3:46PM
Michael said...
Ha thats nothing, the only store in town that sells nintendo products has over a @00% markup on regular store prices.
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10-24-2008 @ 3:47PM
Michael said...
*$200% markup sorry typo, darn non-editable posts.
10-24-2008 @ 3:48PM
Naiyeli said...
Be careful with Gadget-Asia. The limited edition DSes they have are fake. When the dragon ds first came out they were authentic IQue DSes, but then they switched to using the fake shells. They also claim to be selling the Bape ds. They have also sold quite a few fake pikachu edition dses via ebay.
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10-24-2008 @ 4:05PM
Nutmeg said...
nothx. not tempted at all.
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10-24-2008 @ 4:52PM
Anthony said...
I am waiting until next April to get in the us, because the import prices are ridiculous and my lite just broke, so i will be video-game less for a while then I will feel complete again near next year.
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10-24-2008 @ 4:55PM
Gennataos said...
Uh...no. I'm interested in getting one when they hit the states, but the region-lock alone meant I wasn't going to consider an import, much less this price-gouging.
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10-24-2008 @ 5:33PM
EdZ said...
For that price, it'd probably be cheaper to get one via an escrow service than a reseller.
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10-24-2008 @ 7:17PM
aj said...
That's capitalism.
That's also why being a gamer is so miserable. I feel so dirty that my hobby is something that most people I encounter think of it as an investment strategy. There's no joy in gaming. At least it doesn't feel like there is anymore.
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