Nintendo DS Price Drops, Dogs Bundled

Now it's even more affordable to pick up a Nintendo DS - and the puppies want your love.

Nintendo of Europe has announced that its super-successful handheld platform, Nintendo DS, will be reduced in price across Europe to coincide with the anticipated launch of Nintendogs. In addition, the company is introducing bundled packs, offering the DS console with the puppy-pampering game.

From 7th October, the console will cost €129.99 - a drop of €20, while the bundled Nintendogs version will retail for the current standalone price of €149.99. There will even be two separate kinds of pack-in bundle - the "Dachshund" version with a pink DS, and the "Labrador" version with a blue DS. In the UK, the new prices are £89.99 without a game, and £99.99 with Nintendogs bundled - pretty good value for money.

It's certainly a wise move. In Japan, where the Game Boy Micro has just launched, Nintendo handheld mania has never been more prominent, with many different varieties of the Nintendo DS and Game Boy Micro on sale in superb packaging and supported by strong promotional campaigns.

Nintendo understands how to market its handheld products to gamers of all ages and tastes, and knows it's a delicate balance of message and price point - and now, despite a slight delay for Nintendogs to reach European shores, Nintendo is employing similar tactics to ensure the game's success in Europe.

Nintendogs has performed extremely well in Japan and North America, having sold over 1.5 million in total. But whether the success can be repeated in Europe is currently a hot talking point at Nintendo of Europe. However, this announcement is a great first move to get good results - and it can only benefit gamers who have anxiously awaited something really unique for their dual-screened game systems.

Adam Doree
Director, Kikizo.com