Hi friend! Have you ever wondered how much the Nintendo DS cost when it first came out? Or how its price changed over time as new models were released? As a fan of Nintendo‘s revolutionary dual-screen handheld, I‘ve done some digging into the pricing history of the various DS models. Here‘s a detailed but easy-to-understand overview for you!
The Exciting Launch of the Original Nintendo DS
The original Nintendo DS made quite a splash when it was first released in North America on November 21, 2004. This unique handheld console introduced innovative new features like a microphone, wireless connectivity, and dual screens – one of which was a touchscreen! All this cutting-edge tech came at a price though – the original DS retailed for $149.99 at launch.
For comparison, the Game Boy Advance SP was selling for $99.99 in 2004. So while pricier than previous Nintendo handhelds, the original DS offered a huge leap forward in capabilities. Over 2 million eager fans purchased the DS in just the first 4 months in North America!
Dropping Down to Match the Competition
In September 2005, less than a year after launch, Nintendo lowered the price of the original Nintendo DS to $129.99.
This brought its price in line with Sony‘s competing PlayStation Portable (PSP) handheld, which had launched at $249.99 in March 2005. By mid-2005, Sony had already dropped the PSP‘s price down to $169.99. So Nintendo‘s price cut for the original DS was likely a competitive response to match the PSP.
In the DS‘s later years before discontinuation, it could commonly be found retailing for even less – around $99.99. Again, this mirrored pricing on the PSP which saw continued price drops over the years.
The Thinner and Lighter DS Lite
June 2006 brought the release of the Nintendo DS Lite. This slimmer, lighter redesign came in brighter colors and attracted consumers who found the original DS to be bulky and unattractive.
The DS Lite launched at $129.99 – the recently reduced price of the original DS. During the years the DS Lite was sold, its price would remain steady at around $129.99. This preserved the DS‘s competitive pricing advantage compared to the PSP.
Eventually in 2010-2011, the DS Lite dropped to $99.99 – likely in response to the DSi which offered more features for $169.99. The DS Lite was then discontinued in 2011.
More Features and a Higher Price for the DSi
In April 2009, Nintendo released the DSi with some nice upgrades like dual cameras, better processors, and the ability to download DSiWare games directly to the handheld. With these new features came a new higher price – the DSi launched at $169.99.
This $40 price bump compared to the $129.99 DS Lite was not insignificant. But the DSi was still cheaper than the PSP which sat at $169.99 in 2009. The more advanced capabilities of the DSi justified the extra cost and it sold very well, shifting over 28 million units during its lifespan.
Through periodic price drops over the years, the DSi eventually ended up at the familiar $99.99 before being discontinued in 2013. This allowed the cheaper DS Lite to continue appealing to more budget-conscious gamers.
A Super Size DS with the DSi XL
In March 2010, Nintendo released their extra large DSi XL variant with 4.2 inch screens compared to 3.25 inches on the standard DSi. To match its super sizing, the DSi XL carried a super sized price tag as well – launching at $189.99.
This made the DSi XL the most expensive Nintendo handheld ever released. With the DSi sitting at $169.99 though, Nintendo wisely opted not to discontinue it – instead positioning the DSi XL as a premium variant.
The DSi XL commanded that high $189.99 price for the first year or so of availability. As the 3DS loomed on the horizon, Nintendo dropped the DSi XL down to $129.99 by 2012-2013 to spur continued sales.
This $129.99 pricing put it alongside the DS Lite and reinforced it as the higher end DS model preferred by those who appreciated or needed the larger screens.
Nintendo DS Pricing Strategy and Impacts
Looking at the lifespan as a whole, we can see some clear patterns in Nintendo‘s DS pricing strategies:
- New models were initially priced higher than older ones to reflect new features and capabilities.
- Older models saw gradual price drops over several years to hit key psychological price points like $99.99.
- Pricing was strategically matched to competition from Sony‘s PSP.
- Having multiple models at staggered prices expanded the accessibility and appeal of DS gaming.
This pricing approach really worked – Nintendo sold over 154 million units across all DS models! Portable innovation came at a fair price for consumers. And the DS models retained strong resale value after discontinuation thanks to their quality and iconic status.
So there you have it – a friendly overview of Nintendo DS prices over time. I hope you found this pricing history insightful. Let me know if you have any other game console pricing questions!
