Nintendo Switch Won't Be Sold At A Loss, Two Million Units To Ship In Time For March

They won't kill the DS line, if the Switch were to fail they will always have dominion on the handheld market.

Isn't just 2 million units for the NS's launch a bit little or is it just me who are reading it wrong?

If it wasn't for that BOTW likely going to be on or close to the launch, I could maybe agree with 2 million.

Either way, it will be interesting to see how the NS does :+).

I'm ordering at the first opportunity

I'm preordering mine ASAP. The 3ds comments are interesting... either keeping the DS line for the future as another iteration of the switch family or just differing the chatter lately of the switch being its successor?

"On Switch: Nintendo CEO says company won't make loss by selling it; but also listening to what consumers expect from us when setting price."

And that's the problem, because most consumers I've seen online are going to allow Nintendo to get away with charging $300-$400 for this thing, and I absolutely do not believe it should be that cost. This is why all the fanboys need to think about what they're saying when they spout out such numbers, because these companies will go as high as they think people are willing to pay as opposed to actually giving us all a great and fair deal.

I say $199, and I do not care whether you think that's realistic/possible or not.

And, I think most people who've at least watched the video [should] already understand that the Switch is different from the 3DS, surely.

@Kimite

It seems low to me. I thought it was supposed to be a worldwide launch which would mean each region gets less than a million. Seems the Wii U sold 3 million pretty quick. I'm sure manufacturing must be the reason for the low stock.

@impurekind

Companies are in it to make profit and Nintendo has never intentionally launched hardware at a loss so that was not expected. Who knows on the price of this thing until Nintendo says it. Price will obviously effect demand so I'm sure Nintendo won't come out trying to gouge the market.

Nintendo is not even competing with Sony or Microsoft anymore.

They are competing with Apple and Google for the mobile gaming market. Will people buy Switch for gaming on the go or will they still use their tablet and phone for gaming?

There's a very strong likelyhood I'll pick one up at launch, but I'm waiting for that big Switch Direct to show me just what I can look forward to playing. I know we're getting Breath of the Wild, I'm expecting new versions of Splatoon/Smash/Mario Kart, but give me a Bayonetta 3, a No More Heroes 3, a new Monolithsoft Title, and it'll be a given.

i don't see a second screen peripheral coming soon with the drive to reinforce the message of it not being a 3ds. maybe later in 2017 when 3ds users start to migrate in larger numbers - and hopefully a switch xl comes out.

btw if this is as advanced as it should be and not at sold at a loss, a supplier or two is possibly giving up a huge discount to be in on it.

@impurekind
So you think if you shout loud enough that the price should be $199. Then that will be the price set by Nintendo. I'm sorry but you are suffering from delusion's. Nobody is going to "allow Nintendo" set a price. They will do the calculations themselves.

@Nintendian i can already see the ad where a guy is playing pokemon go on the fone when it rings and he has to answer it, just when something rare shows up. he answer, but whips out the switch to continue playing. "Switch. When you want to play". it'll be a superbowl ad.

@impurekind $199? Are you serious? Well I guess you're going to get the Switch after 5-6 years it's released 😂

Sad to say, I will not be buying one of those 2 million units. Maybe 2 or 3 years down the road I will pick one up.

I'm good, I will still have my 3DS, Wii U, PS Vita, Xbox One and my Gaming PC.

Not surprised, the Switch doesn't have the advantage of the Wii U which got released after a console super successful, making sense to be sold at launch at a small loss for maximize the sales.
Plus we all know sadly how "well" that worked, so really not a surprised they won't do it again ^_^;;;

I think people need to stop referring to the Switch as a handheld.

Just because it has the functionality of a handheld does not mean that's what it is... it also has the functionality of a home console, but people aren't referring to it as if it was one... it's neither.

It's like referring to a smartphone as if it was a clock... just because it has the same functionality does not mean that's what it is.

@impurekind 199 would be in a perfect worldm Ultimately Nintendo doesn't care what you think and will set their price on their product.

@Nintendian
I don't see Nintendo competing with Apple or Google. If I want to play a video game I choose from PS4, Xbox or Wii u. The iPad or my android phone never enters my mind.

Nintendo are competing with Sony and M$ and anybody who says they're not is incorrect. Nintendo created the modern video games market but now they're competing in the tablet market? What they are trying to do is broaden they're scope.

I personally might be willing to support Switch on launch, but there has to be something else than Zelda on release. Sure hope they do have a plan.

@DragonEleven It's more a mobile unit than a home console simply because the main unit is a tablet running mobile processor.

@impurekind your definitely right. Too many people will blindly buy it with their heart or for nostalgic reasons. Wake up people

Whatever happens I'm going to try very hard to be one of those 2 million! The 3DS has been my console of choice for over 4 years now. They deserve my support.

@Lameborghini This is what I'm hoping for, too. I'm hoping that if the Switch fails (hopefully it won't), we'll see another DS from Nintendo. Heck, I'm hoping that even if the Switch succeeds we'll see another console in the DS family.
I do think it's brave of Nintendo to try and merge handheld and home console. Putting all your eggs in one basket is always a bit risky.

I expect it to retail for $249-279. Anything higher than that is PS4/XBONE territory, anything lower seems unrealistic.

2 millions is a very cautious estimate. Even the Wii U sold in excesso of 3 million on launch.

$400 is the max I would pay, and that's only if it's for some sort of bundle, maybe with a game or extra controller or what have you. Hoping for $300 or less for the standard package.

2 million seems awfully low. Nintendo hardware always launches strongly because of the small but dedicated fanbase. Even the Wii U was over 3 million really fast.

Okay 2 million Switch units by the end of March. Wow. I still don't see the system launching in March though due to the fact that we won't hear anymore about the system until 2017. We expect them to do it in January. January will come and go... then we will expect February. February will come... and go.... then we'll be at the beginning of March. Most of us will say the system ain't launching in March, some of us will think Nintendo is trying to do the Apple style (although the system is already revealed we just don't know any details) but still. And then March will come... and go... we will be in April and the Switch will be delayed with notice.

WITHOUT notice. Sorry about that.

Hoping for a €200-250 window.

It won't compete with the mobile gaming market, but it will steal consumers from it. Don't forget, 99% of mobile and tablet games aren't games per se, not in the sense that 3DS or Amiga or PC-98 games are games. That is an advantage the Switch can use.

I'm still glad I skipped the WiiU. My Wii served me well all these years and game parties, and now that it's starting to show wear, I can hope to replace it with something that would also live long with me.

@DragonEleven Case in point, people still refer to smartphones as phones despite that being such a small component of them nowadays.

@DragonEleven
I see Switch primarily as a home console.

@NintendoEan
Loving the optimism 😊

300 to 400 is a reasonable price range, what yall fooling around for? If this the console that gives us 1st party aswell as most 3rd party games i will be happy to pay 400 euros. For me its not just about the Switch i support the whole movement nintendo is going through to become atleast number 2 in the competition. Sony and Microsoft are to submissive to the consumers and that results in what the industry is right now. a wannabee PC industry, while it should be about the games. Yes ofcourse you need certain specs to play certain games but its mostly focussed on graphics and resolution and not on the gameplay. Thats where Nintendo can save the industry as being proven by zelda being both on wiiu and the switch

@impurekind forgive me my skepticism about $199 when N3DSXL is is still sold for $250 here. Wii U level horsepower is the LOWEST expectation from NS (since it's officially going to run Breath of the Wild, even if other games await confirmation), so what makes people expect a current gen level home console hardware at a lower price than both of current gen's portables sported at launch several years ago?

Besides, many sentiments voiced have been less about fanboying and more about expressing readiness to pay some extra provided the Switch lives up to its "home console gaming on the go" ambition for its price. With me, the graphics aren't even the key point, but if the hardware can maintain worlds of Skyrim, BotW and GTA5 scale without crucial abridgements and allow me to play them anywhere including the TV, it'll be worth 300 bucks in my eyes.

Maybe even more in reality since my country's inflation rates don't sit well with low prices - good luck finding more than a USED copy of PS4 for 300 bucks here, and like I mentioned earlier, one Belarusian retailer bravely put up am estimated preorder price of roughly $350 already.

@Nintendian
The biggest problem of all is the customer mindset. There are a lot Cheapskater will Only play mobile games as long it's Free. Must pay = No buy, period. That mindset should be changed.

Pre orders are already open here in Australia, they were open about a year ago when it was called NX and not long announced.

I still haven't put money down yet but I intend to, I asked if they knew what bundles we would be getting and obviously they didn't.
I told them I want the premium version with all the extras, freebies included.
Done the same with my N64, (free carry case), Cube (free carry case and 10 game carry case holder), Wii ( console carry bag, silicon Wii mote skins) and Wii U ( free silicon gamepad skin, screen protector, and Console carry bag), and you can bet I'll be making sure I get some sort of freebies this time too.

Wrong approach Imho. Selling at a loss would ensure a more atttactive price. This could mean more sales in general.
Personally I will definitely buy the switch. but I will wait at least until christmas. on the one hand observe the whole thing and on the other hope for some nice christmas bundle. If the price was very low I might buy it day one.

@cleveland124 @MarcelRguez Thought so.

I think at least 3 or optimally 5-6 million would be better than 2, but as you clereland said it could be manufacturing which does make sense if Nintendo aren't able to ship that many consoles at once.

This might be interesting video, but note that Nintendo is set in a bit bad light in this video even if it is fairly informative. The video is nearly a year old, so things might have changed for the NS.

If Nintendo is aiming 2 million specifically at launch, but the week later or later in March ship more NS-s with BOTW I guess it is logical to only have 2 million at launch.

Either way, it is probably best to pre-order the NS and I am not a person who pre-order really. Hopefully the launch doesn't end in a extreme shortage of NS-s and mostly everyone who want a NS at launch gets one.

@MarcelRguez @Kimite I think the key to the quote is shipping in this financial year, which ends March 31. The console, knowing Nintendo, will launch very late in March, 28 or 29, and 2 million probably jeans it won't be worldwide. PS4 launched in February in Japan after November in the West.

Also, and I have mentioned this often before, March is a horrible time for big product launch made in China. Chinese manufacturing and shipping almost entirely shuts down for a full week for Chinese Lunar New Year, which this year is end of January into the beginning of February. It takes about 6 weeks to ship from China to the US. So anything before their holiday will make it for March, but then there will be a delay of a week, pushing units out March into April.

Or, maybe they just know expensive video game hardware won't sell in March?

I expect a price of €300 and certainly no more than €350.

@TearTheRoofOff Not exactly an accurate comparison, considering 'phone' itself is an abbreviation that can stand for several types of device (telephone, smartphone, cellphone, etc.)... it's used more as an overall term for all of those devices, much like 'console' is used to refer to both home consoles and handheld consoles... and I'm guessing 'hybrid console' will likely become the term that is used to describe the Switch.

If it's not selling for a loss, Nintendo needs to be careful that it's not too expensive otherwise it could put off a lot of customers.

@rjejr I see.

I suppose you mean that the NS could first be launch in Japan or possibly the US and then later in the rest of the regions? (Kind of hopes for May launch in Europe due to birthday).

Anyway, even if March isn't the big month for console buys, I think Nintendo might be underestimating the appreciation for the new Zelda game as a lot of people/core Zelda fans probably want NS on launch day or BOTW's launch day. Nintendo did say they wasn't going to sell the NS at a loss at launch day, so which might be why the price is higher.

Still like you pointed out rjejr, Nintendo might just have a late March launch and will have a lot more units in April or that it is a region split launch.

Either way, hopefully the people making the NS will be treated well and their human rights maintained :+).

@impurekind Being cheap doesn't translate to more sales. There's something called consumer perception- and cheapness is rarely an attractive prospect for brand new, cutting edge electronics. People are more comfortable paying more as an assurance that the device is worth it. $199 is a ridiculous suggestion, tbh.

@DragonEleven and that's Nintendo's problem to solve. Don't blame the consumers for coming away with that impression. Just like when consumers thought Wii U was an accessory for Wii. It's Nintendo's problem, not the consumer.

I don't ever see consumers misunderstanding Sony's or Microsoft's gaming products.

@UK-Nintendo Calm down. Its rule number one of common sense business- never undervalue your products and services. Nintendo would be stupid not to charge high end for it. Theres a reason they've been trading for 127 years.

Charge as much as you can within reason, then adjust pricing according to demand.

Nostalgia has nothing to do with buying a brand new console.

If the Switch is aiming to attract less "traditional" gamers and those that use smartphones and tablets; they need to ensure it has features and/or titles at launch that would entice such people to buy it.

I say again, I hope to see Nintendo to use Super Mario Run as a way to spread the message and attempt to draw people to the Switch. Yet the Switch really needs its own "Wii Sports".

People arent realising March is only 31 days, and due to the financial year ending at the 31st, if the Switch releases say...March 20, thats 11 days for 2 million.

@Captain_Gonru I'm guessing it's some variation on Parker (X2) and they are still in trial production. There are several parts that have to fit together snugly after all, without burning up like a Samsung phone. Very little is shipping before the holiday, if it was they could launch in February. After the holiday they should be able to ship more, but apparently they are smart enough to realize the demand won't be there.

You're the retail guy, do you think it's possible they would actually have a hard time getting stores to take large quantities of these? Stores be all like, "um, no thanks, we have enough Wii U you guys won't drop the MSRP on taking up space, call us after you start promoting it for real then we'll talk."
I'm aware that sounds outlandish, but PS4 Slim and Pro and PSVR, X1S of varying HDD sizes and bundles, 3DS and 2DS, NES MIni, only so much shelf space to go around. Not a problem for Amazon maybe, but Gamestops are small and not Nintendo friendly. Just an out there thought, I'm not awake yet.

@impurekind There is this thing called inflation FYI.

I just need to stop calling the damn thing the NX. Yet to make the 'switch'.

@UK-Nintendo But, $199 IS impossible in 2016. The value of the dollar is to weak to only charge that much. No brand new piece of tech cost that much.

That's a very low number. I'm thinking that it's going to be like the Wii, which was hard to find for a year after launch. Nintendo seems to do that quite a bit. When gamecube came out, they shorted the memory cards (took several months for them to appear). The Wii...almost a year for stores to keep them on the shelves. 3DS and DS was the same. Nintendo should learn from those mistakes and have enough consoles set and ready. Hopefully they have enough made to keep it coming to the stores, or it's going to be seeing people selling it for double the cost online or in stores, which brings the install base down more because some consumers will lose interest. I know they don't want to make a lot because they want to see if it will sell first, but you don't short it either. Until then, most families won't probably have on at launch, due to the date. If nintendo doesn't start advertising it around the holiday season, most people won't know, and March is tax return time, which means if they don't advertise it to death (besides just internet), many will forget it. A good time for them to advertise, would be around Super Bowl...especially if a Madden game is coming to it...not just kid-friendly games, but advertise to the hardcore audience...get people even more excited for it! Hopefully nintendo thinks about this, but also...hope the console is set at a price of $300 or less and is not shortages on the console or accessories.

@Kimite Well if you read the rest of my post, you'll see where I explain why Zelda probably won't be out in March. If Zelda was going to release in March surely they would have said something by now, plenty of games releasing in the first half of 2017 have dates already. So, optimistically for you, even if Switch is in March in the EU, Zelda in May for your birthday.

The Japanese don't need Switch in March by the way, they don't do a lot of home gaming and that tablet is too big compared to their 3DS and smartphones. Japan will probably be the first region to get the tablet only Switch Mini w/ a 5" screen. If it even is a tablet. If it's not a touchscreen then it isn't a tablet, it's a display or screen or handheld.

@123akis It will be a combination of factors. Squeezing the launch into the end of this fiscal year means that if successful, the Switch will brighten up this year's numbers, while also showing very solid numbers in the following years fiscal report.

@123akis Agree, but I'm thinking nintendo's going to try something to please their investors. I'm still thinking that it'll release March, and even if they do release early, it will be a small percentage of consoles, and then March would be a ton more.

@HappyMaskedGuy your right. Bring it on £450 lets see how well it sells. Sell it the same price as the PlayStation 4.

Look at the wii u that's still the same price as the ps4

@NIN10DOXD I'm thinking more 200 pounds.

@Kimite I hope the ones that preorder it, get it to, but I remember how upset people were with the Wii when it launched. I ended up walking into a Gamestop store right when the postal office dropped off a package...had a few games for the system and accessories (was going to buy it when I found it), and just happened to be in the right time...got it two months after it launched. For people that preordered it, it was a pain for them, having to wait weeks and months to get it. I hate preordering, but I'm sure I'll have to do so with this if I really want it. I figured I'd preorder a bundle and a game for it and go from there. It's a shame we don't know the bundles (if there is any), price or what games will be available at launch...technically, they could delay Zelda even longer, but I hope that they don't.

Why are people talking specific prices here? You don't know the performance or details of how much it should cost because you don't have the full picture. I wouldn't waste the time on that actual price yet.

I do think Kimishima should be selling it "at cost" though and taking a loss on marketing. Margin should be tiny. Don't lose money on the console but make the money on the games and other means. Because of Wii U underselling I think Nintendo has done a good job at the extra revenue angles and they should lean into that.

@UK-Nintendo Wii U didn't sell poorly because of its price for goodness sake. It sold poorly because of public perception, and the conditions of the market. The reason it's still so expensive is because Nintendo know its not going to suddenly start selling with a price drop. It's recuperating their losses. Why lose more money on a failed console?

@UK-Nintendo I'm thinking a starting price of £349.99

@gatorboi352 I'm not blaming consumers for making the misinterpretations, I'm blaming reporters for spreading them when they should know better... there has been enough talk of it being a hybrid console over the past few months... the term should have stuck by now.

And the last tweet by Mochizuki suggests that Nintendo have learnt from the Wii U and are listening to any misinterpretations so that they can clear them up during the full reveal... but that won't do much good if it continues to be mis-reported.

I apologise, but I just have to post this as it is too good to pass up.
"Consumers will see system is different to the 3DS, claims CEO"

Of course it is different to the 3DS... It is not going to be 3D. XD

@HappyMaskedGuy with that price it has to come in a bundle with at least 2 games.

That price seems quite high for a second system

They have not announced an exact date for the release yet. What if the date is a day or two before their fiscal year ends. Then 2 million units doesn't sound that off. Especially if that's just the "release day" forecast. Perhaps there will be another 3-5 million units ready at the beginning of April.

I'm still on the fence until we hear all the details. I'm not sure why they have not dated a "Nintendo Direct". At least give us that! Too many questions at the moment. Price? Bundle? Release games? Touch Screen? Specs? Release Date? Since it's more of a mobile system that simply can connect to a TV, the price can't be more than the current price of the Xbone & PS4 can it?

@DragonEleven Well when you 'phone' someone, you are using a phonal (meaning sound) application by definition. As far as I see it, the devices have maintained the 'phone' label purely because it can still be used as a phone, even though it much more closely fits the definition of a computer.

The difference here is that with a modern 'phone', the telephone aspect from which the abbreviation was undoubtedly derived and represents, is a very small part of the machine, whereas in the case of the Switch, it's basically 50/50 home console and handheld, which as you correctly point out, means neither definition should really be used. It's a hybrid.

If there are going to be stock issues, I'm wondering if the rumors of pascal architecture are true. NVIDIA has had plenty of stock issues with pascal this year after all. It would make sense that that affected the switch.

Dang I am so getting a NS at launch. Wonder what the 3DS's future holds then. I have a ton of digital games on mine.

I bought the Wii U when it first came out, then after a few months more games released and new bundles. I might not be one of the first millions to purchase just because I want to see what other bundles are offered. If a bundle comes with games included different bundle boxes, more controllers, color schemes.

I'd hope the switch could be completely personalized as far as home screen. I think the LCD panel will be touch screen but when the controllers attach it will take away the touch function. maybe.

once more information comes out I'll gladly "switch" to a NS. just hoping they offer different colors or if it's something planned for down the future line.

As far as pricing. 250-299 seems good price. If they take a loss the lower the price the more people will buy. but if they charge as much as ps4 and xbone only the dedicated fan base will pay those kind of prices.

if the price is right I'd be glad to be one of the first.

Cool. I am expecting a 400 dollar release price. I'll have my cash Nintendo, you just make sure you have the stock.

@impurekind What kind of fantasy world do you live in where a brand new console costs $199.99? People who say they won't pay more than this disgust me. A handheld I can understand, but this is a console that has the ability of a handheld.

So get real and come back to reality, cause I can assure you, such a price will NEVER happen.

Based on what I know of it at this point $199 seems low and think as of now what I'd spend right now is probably in the $250-280 range. If the launch titles are good and we know more about what it's capable of that could definitely go up as much as $400 as far as I'd spend so we'll just have to see.

@freaksloan I'm in the same boat with you. I'd rather wait and not have to deal with it being out of stock, and see what it has to offer after a bit on the market. I have so many Wii U/3DS games that I haven't had time to play, along with steam and PS4. I'm still interested and will follow the console. ( I said the same thing about the Wii U and ended up picking it up within a month of launch on impulse )

No higher than £300 I expect for this. Probably around about £270/£280, so about £100 more than the Wii when it launched.

@UK-Nintendo For £349.99, I doubt it. However, a big deciding factor in all this will definitely be the launch line up- so perhaps we will see some special bundles.

I want a clear model, like the old game boys

How can we discuss a potential price not knowing the console specs ?

For example, I would be OK to pay 300-400€ if the Switch is at least as powerful as a PS4/One... But if it is less powerful (and it seems to be), then I would not pay more than 200-250€ (I would probably even not buy it in this case as I can play ZBOTW on WiiU and eventually buy a PS4 to play all the big games that I did not play waiting to see if they'll be ported to NX one day lol).

I just wanna play it.

People that are claiming has to be the Switch will be $199 for them to buy it just better say upfront they aren't interested in it. Its more honest than putting a price that's almost impossible in this - not even the 3DS retails at that price!

I think it may retail at $250 just the console and $300 a bundle with a game. Still, I'm going to wait to see if they will release a special edition. I'm still bitter about getting my Wii U and afterwards missing out on the WWHD edition.

I think $299 is my sweet spot for this machine. Or $349 with a good bundle.

@impurekind $199 is crazy talk! A console hasnt been that cheap in years from launch

Only 2 million Switch units available at launch worldwide sounds aggressively small. Guess I better get that preorder in when I can..

@Captain_Gonru "First, though, I think March is firm"

Did I say March wasn't firm? I know I've been saying no March for Zelda, 1 million less Wii U software sales I believe is a confirmation of that, (unless it's PMCS sales, hmm?) but I'm all in for Switch in March, just not in every country at once, not in large enough numbers to matter anyway. UK may get 3 dozen.

Regarding that Direct sales comment. Nintneod has a store in New York that doenst do online sales, they have an online store in the UK but no B&M. Nintendo getting it's act together by March seems highly unlikely. And really, wants the point, everything in America gets sold via Amazon anyway. Just get Switch on Amazon, make a Nintendo page, done.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2016/10/20/amazon-online-sales-bigger-larger/92419572/

"And Wii U may still get the Black Friday "sale" price cut I have previously suggested, thus clearing out some of that excess inventory."

BF sales are meant to drag people in stores at midnight or 5AM. Who's going into a store for a Wii U at any price? I already have pre-holdiay toy book ads for Kmart and TRU. No Wii U. Nintneod doens't even show it on it's shopping guide page, only way down the bottom of it's "Systems" page. Wii U doesnt exist this holiday, it's only a shelf placeholder for Swtich.

http://happyholidays.nintendo.com/
http://happyholidays.nintendo.com/categories/game-systems/

2015 was the Wii U's last Christmas, and AC:autofail killed that.

I'd love to get a Switch at launch, but I'm slightly concerned about build quality for those specific launch units. The last three systems I purchased at launch, which were my 3DS, PS4, and XOne had major issues that resulted in problems a few months down the line.

Despite that, I'd still like to purchase the Switch day one. I think I'm a masochist 😣

@Miss_Dark €250 would be ideal. Maybe 300 bundled with a game.

I'll buy it anyway but still

Assuming the Switch launches towards the end of March, 2 million will be perfectly fine. After all, the Japanese fiscal year ends on March 31st. They can then ship more at the beginning of April.

If it launches in early March though, that could be a problem.

By April you might be able to get it on sale or with a bundle like the WiiU. I think it is worth waiting that short amount of time for.

Also they are really sticking to their March guns. Amazed.

@rjejr From the post you set me I can't say I see where you mentioned BOTW would come later than March, but I don't think that's due to English being my second language either. (Or do you mean an another comment in the comment section from you).

With Nintendo's approach or to say Kimishima's approach with the NS reveal, I actually wouldn't be surprised if Nintendo doesn't say anything about BOTW until next year. I always know to keep myself occupied and not feel to impatient, but I do agree that I would prefer BOTW news this year. Still... wouldn't complain to much if BOTW comes close to my birthday, as then I can get the Switch and BOTW as a birthday gift ^^. (Though it is probably better overall that BOTW launch on the Switch launch).

I said Japan first because it is Nintendo's home county, but I agree with you on how the Japanese gaming market right now maybe aren't too interested in the NS overall due to their gaming habits with phones and 3DS.

US first might be more likely... or Australia or Oceania as a test market, even though I would be surprised if the NS gets test launched in Australia or Oceania first. Europe aren't Nintendo's biggest market, so more likely that US get the NS first in that sense.

Hehe, wouldn't be surprised me either that Japan would be the first region to get the NS standalone without the dock :+).

@Kimite They can always increase shipments if preorders trend higher than expected.

Plus it has a single month to sell and probably not even the entirety of that month.

@JLPick I live in Norway so I don't think it will be that bad for me compared to the US, as we have a lot smaller population. (The Wii U's install base is actually over the double of the entire Norwegian population so).

Anyway, I think I will talk to some Gamestop employs near where I live so I can hear what they think and whether or not pre-ordering is necessary. Still, I hope it goes better for you with the NS, as that doesn't sound fun :+(.

I don't think I have pre-ordered anything beside Hyrule Warriors for the TP skin as we didn't know they would be purchasable later and Smash because of the Gamecube adapter or what it is called, and the Pokémon Go Plus as the Gamestop employs adviced me and I said why not as I was unsure on if I would be able to get it otherwise. So doesn't pre-order without a reason.

We will probably get to know the bundles and such next year if not before, so I wouldn't worry too much :+). Just try to get through your backlog would be my tip ;+).

Anyway yeah, lets hope BOTW comes out on NS's launch or if not as close as possible :+).

2 Million is low and signals an initial higher price point to me.

People are discussing price point already because there is a perception that I do not fully understand among gamers that are not Nintendo exclusive players that Nintendo consoles must be priced $100-150 below Sony/Microsoft consoles.

I'm sure Nintendo knows we want a decent Switch bundle for under $300, but it's looking at its costs and wondering how the heck they are going to do that, particularly with only 2M units available at first go.

Maybe launch price will be disappointingly high, but a decently priced holiday 2017 bundle will be available.

@Pikachupwnage True, but if you look at the video I posted here, you will probably see that it might not always be that easy to increase shipment. (Don't want any workers to overwork themselves way too hard or be punished unfairly :+(. ).

Anyway yeah, like other rjejr has mentioned to me the 2 million units might just be for a few days and not meant to least from the beginning of March :+).

@yomanation I agree. People who will pay 300 or whatever will be the hardcore Nintendo fans. I hope it's cheaper than the ps4. 200 to 250 bundle will be great

The Switch needs to be well under £200 here in the UK. Otherwise it's just going to be DOA. Factor in a game or two and it's reaching almost £300 and beyond.

Very few will pay a couple of hundred quid just to play Nintendo games.

Microsoft was selling Xbox for a loss for years. Nintnedo should do the same. They will make up the loss from overpriced software anyway. It is known. If they can't be flexible and make sacrifices they will have to face the consequences of the new era and we will have a Wii U 2 flop

They need to launch with Mario. Use the Mario Run app to build hype for it and advertise.

2 millioms shipped in March.
New MH due by March 2017 is intended to sell at least 2 million units in its lifetime.
If this isn't confirmation of MH5 for Switch with non-PS2 graphics, I'll.... I'll throw a tantrum. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get my torch and pitchfork ready for tomorrow, just in case.

@cleveland124 @MarcelRguez @Kimite
It all really repends of when the console it sell launches in March.
The NA market is the largest gaming market and the Wii U sold 400,000 in it's first week and sold a total of 425,000 in the whole month of November (just shy of two weeks) That's not very much.
I predicting the Switch to do way better than the Wii U. I think it will be a very late March release globally just to they can sell 2m units for the 2016 fiscal year and the bulk of the sells will come after the end of March. They probably just want enough Switches to help satisfy their shareholder with the 2016 fiscal year and then blow that year out of the water with the 2017 fiscal year.
I'm guessing it will be a March 26th ish launch, giving it a week ish worth of sales to pick up the Wii U's slack this year.

I can't say for others, but I'd be happy if the Switch were sold at the £250-£300 price range.

Comments? Nintendo hopefully have a high end, high spec console that has a range of features worth paying more for.

If this is just a Wii u 2 then the Switch needs to be sold at a budget price.

Many gamers, me included, are not that interested in playing big screen HD games on a small non HD tablet, and are quite happy to play at home, much the same as PS and Xbox gamers do.

The Nintendo commercial is not real life, but the tablet battery life is.

I have a stupid question, why is there so many Europeans on websites about Nintendo, yet Nintendo games don't sell as well there? I know it's stupid but I'm just wondering.

@DragonEleven well said.👍

@MarcelRguez As a New York City native, I can tell you there was no Wii stock sitting on store shelves for nearly 2 1/2 years after Wii launched, years, not months. And after Wii U not selling I imagine they are going extra conservative on this one. So it wouldn't surprise me to not see these sitting on shelves for a long while. They also know 3DS launched in March, sold really well in March, then didn't sell at all again until the price cut in August. So maybe they are trying to avoid the price cut by not having any stock build up until August. As long as there are low stock levels it will at least appear to be in high demand. June might be a good time for stock levels to rise w/ graduations, confirmations, father's day, all of those spring things.

My biggest concern though would be low stock equals a high price, Nintendo knows this won't sell for awhile beyond the early adopters and hard core fans. I would tell anyone who asked me to wait until Christmas and see what happens. It's not like the price will go up.

I think it would be sold for $300 which will be an incredible accomplishment because it seems this will be as strong as PS4 more or less. So essentially a portable ps4 with Nintendo games and all that... Incredible offer.

@Kimite I don't think anybody knows when Zelda BotW is coming out, not even Nintendo yet, still, but I do think it's unfair to Wii U owners who want to play the game not to be told more information about it just b/c Nintendo wants to wait on Switch game info until 2017.

Wii U owners have been waiting for this game since June of 2014, and we were told it would be out last year in 2015. Now I never ever believed that personally, not even for a second, that it would be out in 2015, but I certainly thought it would be out in 2016, either early in the year or in time for the holidays. But all Nintneod will say so far is "2017", not early or late 2017, of spring or summer or fall 2017, just 2017.

That's a long time to wait. And a long time to wait still without knowing how much longer we have to wait. And not every Wii U owner is going to want to buy a Switch at launch, or be able to afford a Switch at launch, or be able to find a Switch at launch. So Nintendo should be a little nicer to Wii U owners who spent $300 or $350 on their console and keep us informed about Zelda U on Wii U. Don't make us wait until 2017 too.

@Kimite That's good that you guys didn't have to wait for Wii's over there. I couldn't believe it over here. It was a year after it's launch before I saw a console sit in a store for more than a day. Gamecube took a few months before memory cards even stayed in the store (was playing the same levels of Luigi's Mansion and Wave Race Blue Storm over and over again until). I remember people waiting 24 hours for the PS2, but after that first week, the system was everywhere in stores. I just hope nintendo doesn't do this if it becomes a hit console, and I think they need to be better prepared for the consumer demands. It's looking as though it's going to be a hit for nintendo, so I'm just hoping that they'll have a back up plan for the demand and have more copies ready to ship ASAP to fill demands.

Remember when the 3DS came out and wasn't sold at a loss? It didn't go so good.

No more than 300 otherwise its in competition with the more power systems.

What I see every time I visit this site.

https://youtu.be/wUqh4gSn4Pw

I think it should be sold for £75, 12 pack-in games, 32TB RAID drive, 4 pro controllers, 2 docking units, a masseur, 4 headsets and a 32" 4k monitor otherwise it's DOA.

I'm sure they won't be stupid and price it fairly competitively.

Is Nintendo Switch a replacement for 3DS? I thought the clamshell design was what made it so popular.

Will Nintendo and third parties make games with lower resolution graphics on the Switch to make up for not having 3DS games anymore or will 3DS just continue as it is?

Does make me wonder.

If it has a custom Tegra X2 in it I'll shell out the $350-$400 for it on day one for the right bundle. The people who are trying to say they won't pay more than $200 for it are the same people trying to justify a $500 PS4 VR for Christmas. Give me a break, people are willing to shell out $700 every two years for the new iPhone but Switch "is doomed" if Nintendo prices it at $350 and it's supposed to last 4-5 years AND compete with MS and Sony? The logic of some people just amazes me.

@WiltonRoots
Couldn't have illustrated it better

@EllenJMiller No More Heroes 3 would make me buy any console. That said, I'll buy the Switch at least month 1.

@capitalism I think your right. Price it 400 pounds so only the Nintendo fans buy it forget about high sales. Forget about the casual market and everyone.

It should be 400 pounds with out any games. It should be priced higher than PlayStation 4 and Xbox. This will be new technology right.

Now would we want it to be affordable for everyone. no.

Would we want it for third party developing for it. No.
Just Nintendo games on it. Ok

Ok. So let's just hope it's priced the same amount of the wii u which is 250 pounds still in the uk.

It should be double this as its double the tech. 500 pounds sounds right.

That's not enough. I would gladly pay 800 for this because nintendo deserves it.

@UK-Nintendo

Uhm I said the right bundle for $400 if you actually read my post. I believe a bare bones sku could go for $300 but I could see myself and others going after a premium bundle. Also if it has a custom Tegra X2 inside, that would justify the price alone. Having a PS4 level console at home and on the go would be a tempting sales pitch from my perspective.

This thing is being released in March, so obviously they aren't going for the casual, mass market crowd right out of the gates. Based on the trailer, they're going after millennials and people with disposable income. Christmas 17 will be when it's marketed towards the masses.

For third parties, we've already seen more support announced for the Switch than Nintendo's last three consoles. The fact that Bethesda, EA, and Square Enix are all(back) on board speaks volumes. You can bring up the Wii U all you want, but the Wii U didn't make this big of a splash when it was announced. Couple this with it supporting Unreal Engine 4 and other top end engines and the writing is on the wall.

For Nintendo games we already know Zelda:BOTW and a new Mario are on the way along with MK and Splatoon(Remakes?). Zelda at launch will be enough to sell a lot of people, especially if there is healthy third party support to go along with it.

@capitalism ok. 400 dollars in pounds is like 335 pounds. 100 pounds more than PlayStation 4.
It might sell well for that price in the states but in the uk. I can definitely say for that price it won't.

@UK-Nintendo

Nintendo never charges the same number amount because of currency conversion. You don't even make sense. My original post was made about $$$ American dollars and you started talking about 400 pounds? Lol

@rjejr they should be nice to wii u owners. Give as same games that come to switch for the wii u. PlayStation do the same with their titles. Games still come to the PS3.

Just dance 17 is coming to the wii.

@capitalism if you go back. My original was in pounds.

@capitalism anyway we can only guess can't we.

@UK-Nintendo

You replied to me and started bringing up 400 pounds. 😂😂

Nintendo consoles are never sold at a loss. Nintendo is the only console company that insists on making a good profit off of console sales and not just software sales.

@Captain_Gonru Amazon

I know Amazon would get a cut, but in my head, I'd rather have 1 big truck take all my merchandise to Amazon and let them deal w/ all of the shipping and billing concerns then have to set up my own warehouses and billing department and deal w/ UPS and pay Visa/MC 3% on every order. How many employees would they need to hire just to get that all underway? No matter what Amazon's cut is, it still seems cheaper to me to do it that way then to set up their own large scale website business which they'll have no use for when Switch fails and they go 3rd party.

I know UPS likes to show those "logistics" commercials for small business owners, but Nintnedo would be shipping a lot of merchandise. Well, at least until they weren't.

Oh, I am convinced Zelda will be delayed. Well ok technically it won't be delayed b/c you'll never ever prove that Ninteod ever said "March", but if it was coming out in March or even close to it I don't think their brand spanking new financial report rleased today would just say "2017". Maybe Q1, maybe "Spring" maybe "early 2017", but not just "2017". Compare Zelda's date to all those 3DS games. 2nd to last page.

https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2016/161026_2e.pdf

@Captain_Gonru Did I bring up download only console? Or are you just bringing it up to make your point about preparing for the download only future? That works for me, lets go with that.

I don't believe in a download only future though. Disc gets repalced by cart, cart get replaced by amiibo and USB drives. Too many people still like stuff. Too many parents don't want their kids downloading everything. Too many relatives want to buy gifts for holidays and wrap them, not downloads. Netflix hasn't compeltley killed DVD sales yet. MP3s haven't killed CDs yet. There will always be a market for physical games. A true 4k game will probably be 150GB, who wants to download that?

Don't worry, I'm not relying on K-Mart for anything. And those gift guides are just trying to get people to shop before BF, they dont' even have sale prices in them. but still, no Wii U is no Wii U.

@impurekind

I totally get your point. And who wouldn't wanna pay $199 for this thing, right? We shouldn't just want to pay whatever.

But that doesn't make people fanboys for being realistic.

The hard truth is, 3DS is $199. For a low res, tiny screen, GameCube/Wii powered pocket device. Even the Vita is $199.

There is no way a home console on par or more powerful than Wii U, with a 7" HD screen, is going to sell for $199. It's a nice thought, but that will never happen. It's just unrealistic anyway you slice it.

And the problem with propagating that kind of thinking is that you then set people up to become angry when they actually sell it for what it's worth. So if it's a $300 system that they sell for $350, now you've got people rioting because it's not 200 bucks.

I agree we should expect and want a fair price but at the same time, we need to have a certain level of understanding about price integrity, about cost of manufacturing and R&D built into the price (because it didn't just cost the materials to make it, it cost to figure out how to make it first and foremost, just like a car mechanic charges you for the time it takes him to figure out what's wrong with your car- there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world).

$300 to $400 is the guaranteed range. That much we can logically deduce just from the cost of all other gaming systems on the market. 300 would be a really strong competitive price from Nintendo, and I think they will sell alot of units if they go with 300. On the other end, 400 is pushing it. Yes I'd pay it but I wouldn't be happy about it. And they will surely sell far less units at that launch price. 350 is middling ground- probably the most realistic price we can expect to be honest. It's not a great deal and it's not a bad deal. It's par for the course with a brand-new console launch.

Let's just hope they don't try launching for $600 like the PS3

@UK-Nintendo I'm not certain, but I'm pretty sure this year and every year PS3 gets more games than the Wii U. A lot of companies have stopped PS3 support, but since Wii U is getting almost zero games this holiday, I'm going to say PS3 is getting more. I know I saw a PS3 version of Skylanders Imaginators in Target today. The Wi iU version was right next to it, but next year there might still be a PS3 version, there won't be a Wii U version.

@JaxonH Regardless of what anybody wants or says, it has to be $300. So we're in agreement on that. We don't even know if it's a Tegra X1, X2 or X1.5. Or what the storage is. Or battery life. Or a touchscreen. But at a minimum, $300 w/ the dock. I think maybe they could do $249 in Japan w/o the dock, but not at launch, not until holiday 2017. Japan got the New 3DS before the US - what did we have to wait for the smaller one, 18 months? US got the 2DS about 18 months before Japan. Nintendo doesn't care if the US and Japan get different systems, or games, or amiibo at different times. But I don't have to tell you that.

It's a home console and it's a 7" tablet. The cheapest home console is probably a $100 Amazon Fire type device. The cheapest decent HD tablet is probably $200. That's $300, it's simple math. Don't expend too much time or energy debating that. If you want to debate $300, $350 or $400, well like I said, we don't know what's in it, but $299-$399 are the basic parameters.

@rjejr
"but $299-$399 are the basic parameters"

Exactly.

People loosely throw around prices varying anywhere from $200-$500 but we are both old enough and experienced enough to know that there is actually a very small window of realistic pricing for this console. 200 was never on the table. Ever. There's no possible way to manufacture this console for that.

When they're holding internal discussions with empirical data and they're weighing the different scenarios of launch price and simulating various outcomes, you already know there were three possible candidates for selection- 300, 350 and 400.

Now that's not to say they couldn't do something completely unprecedented and release for say, $250 and just blow the lid off the dang thing. But given that they've already stated they won't be taking a loss that all but rules this scenario out.

My guess is $349.99 base model with a launch game included. Not Zelda, but more of a Wii Sports/NintendoLand game. Maybe Mario Kart Switch (MK8 Remastered with added content). That's a game where they're not losing a whole lot but it's very enticing to a number of people who never owned a Wii U, and it serves as kind of a bonus freebie for those who did already own the game. Maybe they wouldn't have spent the money to buy it separately again but will gladly take it as a toss-in with their launch system.

How the flying **** could you confuse a 3DS with Nintendo switch? I know some people are idiots but come on.

I'm actually disappointed they aren't killing the 3DS. I figured it was a good opportunity to get all the great games on one device. I understand why they don't want to kill it, but I think it might end up killing the Switch in the long run if they keep going the cheap-development route like they did this gen and leaving far to many dry spells for their home console.

2 million for the whole world?! That sounds VERY little!!

@JaxonH Switch @ $349 w/ MK Switch makes a lot of sense. Even if they have to call it MK8:Switch Ed for legal reasons, which I know is what you meant anyway. But I'd sure as heck bundle it. Or SSB:Switch Ed. 2 player SSB where ever you go. Well if SSB is playable on 1 of those Joy-cons, it's not really my game. My kids say it is, but they really woudln't want to, MK is better they say. They would know.

If there is a mini-game bundle thrown in like Nintendo Land, I hope they don't make it known but treat it like a demo disc. Did you ever get Wii Play that came w/ a controller for $50? It's good to make something like that to show off all of the control options, but I think a "real" game has to be the main selling point in March. Save the kids stuff for Christmas or June, Switch as a graduation gift.

@impurekind I just looked @ Wii u prices. Never did I ever look, because a main Zelda canon game was not released for system. But wow 500 to 600 for bundles for Wii u is crazy and they say they are going to listen to buy about price its not about a 300 or 400 price tag. Its about keeping the system at price for consumers. Man I hope they won't price at 600 that is outrageous