3DS price fair because you don't need TV

Nintendo president Satoru Iwata has said that the 3DS handheld represents good value for money because it's a self-contained gaming device that you don't need extra kit to play.

Following the announcement of the 3DS date and price at the end of last month, Iwata was quoted in the Japanese press saying that the 25,000 yen price (around £190) was partly down to "positive reactions since E3", where the console was unveiled.

The truncated quote was part of a longer Q&A with investors which has now been translated in full and posted on Nintendo's Japanese website, and Iwata's full response addresses one investor's concern that 3DS is actually more expensive than Wii.

"Portable video game machines integrate both a gaming device and a screen. You do not need any other hardware devices to be connected in order for you to play with it," he said.

"We do not think, 'the price relationship between portable devices and home consoles must stay intact simply because it used to be that way.'

"While it is always better for the price to be as accessible as possible, in terms of its cost, and in order to make a healthy and sustainable business for both the hardware and the software, and given the positive reactions since E3, which give us the indication on how the public are likely to appreciate the value of Nintendo 3DS if they can have hands-on experiences and, above all, by taking other factors into careful consideration, we have concluded that we should propose this price point to our consumers."

The Q&A also revealed that Nintendo is considering automatic 3DS firmware updates, and Iwata also noted that "it is very likely that we will consider a link with our home console".

There's also some fascinating stuff about Iwata's research into the relationship between Nintendo's profits and the rise of social games on page three. Tell your kids - it's correlation, not causality.