Iwata: 3DS Software Prices Not 'Too Far Off' From DS Levels

Nintendo President Satoru Iwata suggested that prices for software on the upcoming Nintendo 3DS should be comparable to those for existing Nintendo DS software. While Iwata acknowledged that it might cost some developers more to make games for the glasses free 3D portable, which launches in Japan on February 26th for ¥25,000, he doesn't think consumers are quite ready for a commensurate increase in retail price. "We don't believe that the world is in a state where high priced software will sell well, so we don't believe it will be in a price range too far off from current DS software," Iwata said during an investor's Q&A, as translated by Andriasang. Boxed Nintendo DS software tends to retail for $20 to $30 on release, with some Nintendo-published titles demanding $34.99 suggested retail prices. In Japan, boxed Nintendo DS games tend to go for ¥5,000 to ¥6,000 (about $60 to $72). Downloadable software for Nintendo's DSi currently sell for a maximum of 1200 Nintendo points, which translates to $12 or ¥1200. The Japanese yen surged during the summer to a 15-year high against the American dollar.