Nintendo dismisses 3DS headaches story

Update 2: Huge US retail chain GameStop has chimed in too, insisting it isn't seeing an unusually high number of returns. "This is something that we are not experiencing," said a spokesperson.

Update: Currys has responded, telling Eurogamer, "We have not noticed a big increase in returns [with the 3DS]."

Original story: A report this morning by The Sun newspaper claiming the 3DS "has left thousands with dizziness and headaches", resulting in "record return levels", has been refuted to Eurogamer by Nintendo, HMV and GAME - the three companies the tabloid mentions.

"Recent reports are incorrect," Nintendo told Eurogamer. "The number of calls and emails with queries on Nintendo 3DS is in fact well below the rate experienced during past hardware launches and having spoken with our retail partners there are only a handful of people who have actually gone into stores to request a refund."

"Nintendo 3DS was designed with a 3D depth slider that lets users adjust the 3D effect so that everyone can still enjoy this product. When viewing any kind of 3D images, including movies and on TV, some people might experience minor discomfort.

"The effects are short term and have no lasting effect; most people can continue after taking a break."

GAME revealed that, "We've had less than five people complain that they feel sick and want to return [the 3DS]."

So where did The Sun pull "thousands" from, then? Overall trade-in numbers, HMV explained.

"We've had less than five people complain that they feel sick and want to return [the 3DS]."

GAME

"Contrary to a report in today's media, we would like to make clear that we are not aware of any manufacturing fault with the 3DS console - which we have seen huge demand for, and that we have not issued any refunds for it and nor are we doing," HMV told Eurogamer, also scotching the Sun's claim that HMV was "refunding fully".

HMV added: "A number of customers are, however, choosing to take us up on our pre-played games offer - which is a totally different thing, where they can trade-in previously purchased games products, including the 3DS if they so choose, against any other products that we stock in-store up to a pre-determined set value.

GAME went on to point out that under the Sale of Goods Act, refunds cannot be given for a device allegedly making someone feel ill. Refunds can only be offered, GAME explained, should a product be technically faulty.

Nintendo also highlighted that more than 430 GAME stores and 150 HMV stores have 3DS display units to show to the public before they buy the machine. Nintendo also knows of "a large number" of shops using their own 3DS stock to show to potential customers.

"Our advice for anyone concerned about potential side-effects or for anyone who just wants to take a look at a Nintendo 3DS is to ask to see and play one before they buy," said Nintendo. "Most stores will only be too happy to oblige."

The Sun used the personal testimony of Sundeep Tailor, 27, who claimed to have felt ill after three minutes of playing the 3DS with his son.

The 3DS was released at the end of March and has gone on to become the UK's fastest selling piece of Nintendo hardware ever - notching 113,000 sales during opening weekend.