3DS getting big price drop in August

I think that Monster Hunter 4 is a tactical nuke to the Vita's initial success.  I can understand why Capcom chose the 3DS though, simply from a production cost standpoint.  I still think the Vita will do rather well eventually.  Likely both systems will sell nicely... If I had to forecast, I'd say the 3DS won't sell as much as the original DS did, but the Vita will sell more than the original PSP, that's in the long run.  I'm just pulling that prediction out of my ass though so don't hold me to it in years to come.  I can see myself acquiring both systems a few years down the road, I feel they have individual strengths to offer beyond their exclusives.  I just hope a 3DS system revision comes along the way that will integrate the 2nd analog, and offer a system color that doesn't make me question my sexuality.

according to VGChartz (which accuracy has been disputed here, although I don't recall any links, in any case it's the best I tool I know of on short notice)

the original DS sold 2,381,165 units in North America in it's first 9 months.

That means the 3DS is selling at a greater speed than both the DS and the Wii did in their first 9 months. It's no doubt that the Vita is kick ass hardware, I just hope that's enough, I just don't see much of a hype train surrounding it. One thing that Sony does have is Europe, and so you have to take global sales into account.

I genuinely hope the Vita does do better than the PSP. You would hope so as now Sony has a portable installed base, they just have to keep providing compelling content.

as for a 3DS for a straight man

http://www.gameranx.com/img/11-Nov/zelda3ds.jpg

as for a 3DS for a straight man

http://www.gameranx.com/img/11-Nov/zelda3ds.jpg

That's the one I've got. I picked it  up On Black Friday when GameStop was claiming it was a "limited release"...

And of course two weeks later the damn thing was being sold with a $20 Gift card bundle.

Stupid GameStop. Grr.

ANYWHO, if you go out and get yourself one of those, get yourself one of those soft cleaning cloths to go with it. Be aware that the glossy black surface smudges like CRAZY.
It'll smudge with dirty hands.
It'll smudge with clean hands.
Sometimes it even smudges with the cleaning cloth!

I've never had such a smudge-prone system before.

according to VGChartz (which accuracy has been disputed here, although I don't recall any links, in any case it's the best I tool I know of on short notice)

the original DS sold 2,381,165 units in North America in it's first 9 months.

Heh. Funny you should mention VGChartz. One of my sources tells me they quoted Steam sales figures when even Valve only gives that information to publishers.

if anyone can track down NPD numbers I'd be happy to see them.

hat means the 3DS is selling at a greater speed than both the DS and the Wii did in their first 9 months.

I would imagine most of those sales are to a previously created user base.  Early adopters who have faith based upon the previous iteration.  What remains to be seen though, is if the more fickle and greater sized crowd (read those who bought the original DS in droves for Brain Age and Nintendogs etc.), will come around again and bite.  In short, will the 3DS be the gotta-get-one-gadget that the DS was.  Or just second helpings for the devoted.  Was it a fad, or a trend?

Be aware that the glossy black surface smudges like CRAZY.

You must not have had one of the original Onyx DS Lites... that system is the same exact way.  You just look at it wrong and it starts to smudge and accumulate hand grease smears and millions of finger prints.  It's the same issue I have with the PSP I've got... and the black Wiimote I've got... these damned shiny black surfaces are just murder on my OCD.  I wish Nintendo and Sony would learn the value of the matte surface.  Hell, if nothing else, a textured surface makes my hands sweat less.