3DS games for the most part have had the need to either be bought as a physical cartridge or as a full on DLC title. But a new article from Andriasang, Nintendo will be incorporating online retailers into their business plans. That means you’ll be able to buy your 3DS games four different ways:
- The traditional way; through a store or online retailer and getting a boxed game
- A direct download from the 3DS eShop
- Buy a physical download card from a retail shop, which has a download code to be redeemed within 150 days
- Buy a download card from an online retailer (no physical card), which must be redeemed within 150 days
So far, this is available for Japan, but I’d be surprised if Nintendo didn’t implement this strategy worldwide. Andriasang also reports that retail games are priced cheaper than the DLC version of the game with an online retailer listing New Super Mario Bros. 2 for ¥4,130, and the download version for ¥4,580. We’ll see how things shake out in due time.
I think this is a smart move well since Microsoft and Sony have been doing it for a while but not like this using Online retailers but well see how this will pan out.
"Andriasang also reports that retail games are priced cheaper than the DLC version of the game with an online retailer listing New Super Mario Bros. 2 for ¥4,130, and the download version for ¥4,580."
Wow I hope that is not right. If true there will be no reason to purchase digital versions of games unless they are not available in store at all.
It would also go counter to Nintendo's efforts to push into the digital space somewhat.
Which is exactly why I imagine they're doing it Joe Bloggs. If people become used to downloading all their games, retailers know that's going to make them irrelevant in the long run. I can't help but think this is going to come back to bite them though, Nintendo can't be happy with their tactics.