How much?! Importers charging several arms and legs for DSi [update]

by Chris Greenhough { Oct 24th 2008 at 2:00PM }

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When the Nintendo DSi launches on November 1st, it will cost Japanese consumers ¥18,900, or the equivalent of $200 at current exchange rates. Alas, import stores apparently didn't get that memo. Earlier this week, YesAsia was one of the first major importers to open its DSi preorder scheme, demanding an eye-watering price of $299.99 for Nintendo's upgraded handheld. That's a 50% rise on what you'd pay on a Japanese high street.

Since then, others have followed suit, with Play-Asia opening its preorders yesterday at the same price. A quick scan of Google's Shopping channel turned up the following offers (bear in mind the top three will also add shipping costs):

YesAsia.com: $299.99
Play-Asia.com: $299.99
Model-Gadget.com: $272.29
Gadget-Asia.com: $318.30 (free shipping)

Egads! It appears importers, rather than Nintendo, are dictating prices here, and even though the likes of Renchi have yet to start offering preorders, we can assume they will also be pricing the systems at roughly $300. Anybody still tempted?

Update: Renchi has now updated its DSi preorder page: they're offering handhelds for $298, but reserve the right to make price adjustments based on demand. That doesn't sound good.

Gallery: Nintendo DSi

Tags: dsi, nintendo-dsi, play-asia, yesasia

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Eddie @ Oct 24th 2008 2:16PM

just got mine at gadget-asia :)

No, j/k. that is outrageous. I will wait until... my lite dies.

Erik Stroud @ Oct 24th 2008 3:13PM

Im staying with my lite. It's the only way I can keep my M3Sakura and GBA capabilities so I see no need for the new one.

EvilEmperor @ Oct 24th 2008 2:17PM

Probably because it does not even have enough supply for local Japanese retailers.
http://blog.livedoor.jp/geek/archives/50752020.html
It reports that the shops had to stop accepting pre-orders within 20 minutes. Seems like the Black one is more popular.

http://item.rakuten.co.jp/gmax/4902370517187/
Indeed the online shops in Japan is selling 50% more than the original price (29,800yen vs. originally 18,900yen), and it is still sold out.

That's crazy, it is more expensive than both XBox360 and Wii...

igorponweed @ Oct 24th 2008 2:18PM

If that's how much it costs when it comes, DO NOT WANT.

Roto13 @ Oct 24th 2008 2:47PM

Why the hell would it cost that much when it hits North America?

igorponweed @ Oct 24th 2008 3:03PM

No reason whatsoever.

Garst @ Oct 24th 2008 2:24PM

I'll wait until it actually is released in America to get one. Most likely not until there is several games that take advantage of the new hardware that I want. By then, I shouldn't have any problem getting one for the MSRP.

InvisibleMan @ Oct 24th 2008 2:43PM

So, basically, they are selling it for the price equivalent of TWO PSP-3000s!

Thank you very much, but one of the main draws of the DS was its price, originally...

Roto13 @ Oct 24th 2008 2:48PM

Will you even be able to access DSiWare in North America with a Japanese DSi?

Raytia @ Oct 24th 2008 2:58PM

no, it's region locked.

Roto13 @ Oct 24th 2008 4:16PM

I always took that to mean that American DSiWare games won't work on a Japanese DSi. That doesn't necessarily mean you won't be able to access the Japanese DSiWare store at all.

Alex @ Oct 24th 2008 3:26PM

What did you expect? There is profit to be made, not to mention whatever else there is to pay. Makes me remember, back when the Wii launched in the US, the Wiis at the grey market were priced at 750 dollars at Mercadolibre. That is three times the price at the US. Sure, import taxes are very high in Latin America, but still 750 dollars was a lot. Supply and demand, folks.

Michael @ Oct 24th 2008 3:46PM

Ha thats nothing, the only store in town that sells nintendo products has over a @00% markup on regular store prices.

Michael @ Oct 24th 2008 3:47PM

*$200% markup sorry typo, darn non-editable posts.

Naiyeli @ Oct 24th 2008 3:48PM

Be careful with Gadget-Asia. The limited edition DSes they have are fake. When the dragon ds first came out they were authentic IQue DSes, but then they switched to using the fake shells. They also claim to be selling the Bape ds. They have also sold quite a few fake pikachu edition dses via ebay.

Nutmeg @ Oct 24th 2008 4:05PM

nothx. not tempted at all.

Anthony @ Oct 24th 2008 4:52PM

I am waiting until next April to get in the us, because the import prices are ridiculous and my lite just broke, so i will be video-game less for a while then I will feel complete again near next year.

Gennataos @ Oct 24th 2008 4:55PM

Uh...no. I'm interested in getting one when they hit the states, but the region-lock alone meant I wasn't going to consider an import, much less this price-gouging.

EdZ @ Oct 24th 2008 5:33PM

For that price, it'd probably be cheaper to get one via an escrow service than a reseller.

aj @ Oct 24th 2008 7:17PM

That's capitalism.

That's also why being a gamer is so miserable. I feel so dirty that my hobby is something that most people I encounter think of it as an investment strategy. There's no joy in gaming. At least it doesn't feel like there is anymore.

Jacksons @ Oct 25th 2008 2:24PM

Huh? I think you're doing it wrong.

Nitroactive @ Oct 24th 2008 7:54PM

For anyone who is looking to import, don't. Like Raytia said, it's region locked. That doesn't just apply to DSiware but also to stardard games as well. If you import a DSi you won't be able to play North American games on it and vice-versa.

flameofdoom666 @ Oct 24th 2008 8:27PM

Incorrect. DSiWare is only region locked.

chibi_wings @ Oct 24th 2008 8:29PM

just wow. i wasn't going to import it anyway, but those prices are ridiculous. Either your filthy rich or just plain crazy to buy one at that price!

I'm still on the fence, so I'm in no hurry to get one. Come April, I will decide.

milan @ Oct 24th 2008 11:39PM

I bought an R4 almost immediately after I heard about the DSi, out of fear that the flash card might not work on the new system. So I have been enjoying homebrew ever since! (Plus I lost like 10 or so of my DS carts on a bus. Hell if I'm buying them all twice. Ha.)

Josh @ Oct 25th 2008 1:07AM

Ridiculous. There's no reason for that.

pondocus @ Oct 25th 2008 8:05PM

uhhh, why would anyone import region locked hardware? Especially if you have to pay half again as much as the retail cost? Is it because you just can't wait to play an imported copy of braintraining?

J-Dawwgg @ Oct 26th 2008 6:21AM

Why would you want to import and buy, one of theese, because other wise you will have to learn jap or something.

So why not just wait.... for it to come out where u live, and note:
DSi's are reign blocked so buy one from jap and you will have to buy the games from jap or download the games as jap....

So..... i would rather wait untill it comes out.

nintendo.luigi @ Oct 26th 2008 8:59AM

That's ridiculous. I'll get it when it's released in North America.

Anthony @ Oct 29th 2008 4:08PM

I'm so upset with Nintendo of American! I can't believe they think we want to be strapped with the old DS Lite which was fine when it was new, however it's gotten old and now that we've been updated on the new features that the DSi has I'm very unhappy with NOA.

I'm ready to sign any petition demanding that the new DSi be moved up from Q1 of 2009 for a U.S. Release date to a release date of sometime this December. Man, the DSi would make great Christmas gift.

Bring The Nintendo DSi To North America ASAP!