Scarcity looms? The Price Is Right: Nintendo 3DS instantly tops Amazon's top seller list @ Gaming Target

Written by Matt Swider on January 21, 2011

News: Nintendo 3DS Cosmo Black is followed Aqua Blue, making us wonder if it'll be available in stores unless you pre-order.

We were at Nintendo's press conference in New York City on Wednesday where Nintendo announced the $249.99 price and March 27 release date of its 3DS handheld. The talk among journalists and investors who were in attendance was "As neat as this 3D technology is, is it worth $250?" But within a day of opening up pre-orders for the system on Amazon.com, the 3DS holds the top one and two spots on the retailer's video games bestsellers list.

Now the question is:
Will you be able to buy a Nintendo 3DS on launch day without a pre-order?

Like almost every new system, there's bound to be scarcity in the first several weeks. That's expected. However, will it boil to a point where we won't see enough units on the same level that people were left without a Wii for several months? Luckily, Nintendo isn't releasing its 3DS near the holidays, but with inventive glasses-free technology that people haven't seen before, there's bound to be a lot more pre-launch buzz and post-launch sales.

All of a sudden, our questions are transitioning from "Is $250 too much for the system" to "Will Nintendo 3DS be available in stores without a pre-order?," "Will the better-selling Cosmo Black leave people with only Aqua Blue as an option?" and "Will is fetch a hefty premium on eBay hours after the handheld comes out?"

If the demand seen on Amazon.com is any indication, then March 27 may be the start of Wii-like hunting for 3DS systems depending on how many Nintendo can produce for the worlwide market.

Scarcity looms? The Price Is Right: Nintendo 3DS instantly tops Amazon's bestseller list

News: Nintendo 3DS Cosmo Black is followed Aqua Blue, making us wonder if it'll be available in stores unless you pre-order.