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

***wraggster*** · October 25th, 2008, 02:11

When the 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?

http://www.dsfanboy.com/2008/10/24/h...-legs-for-dsi/

**mattsaysfooey** · October 25th, 2008, 03:01

No. I'm not even tempted to buy it really in the first place considering my slot 2 card has no place and my slot 1 card most likely won't boot at all.

**pokeballer** · October 25th, 2008, 04:05

thats more than an xbox 360

**jaybud4** · October 25th, 2008, 04:45

And we're surprised by this?

**goshogun1** · October 25th, 2008, 07:44

I will get one...in the US. That is, assuming the screen is a lot better than my DS Lite. But thats highway robbery for $300!

**Graxer0419** · October 25th, 2008, 12:49

I hope the peole buying it at these prices realise that it is region locked and so they most likely will have problems playing un-imported games!

**Flygon** · October 25th, 2008, 14:34

The regeon locking makes these import costs even stupider.

**jaybud4** · October 26th, 2008, 02:09

Originally Posted by goshogun1

I will get one...in the US. That is, assuming the screen is a lot better than my DS Lite. But thats highway robbery for $300!

The screens are slightly bigger.
Not really worth the $50US+ extra if that's your only reason.

**TTHT** · October 26th, 2008, 04:13

Originally Posted by Flygon

The regeon locking makes these import costs even stupider.

No, that's actually what makes it smarter on the websites' parts. Since you'll need Japanese DSi's to play Japanese DSi games, of course they'll charge more; especially since they know they're everyone's go-to-guys for this kind of thing.