So much to reply to here, let me begin:
Chris1964 said:
To be fair with 3DS line-up Nintendo could release more 1st party games at day 1 but it was their decision not to.
Exactly, I think it's more fair to judge the 3ds launch based on Nintendo's strategy this time around(aka comparing launch windows, not just launches then nothing for months). re-take a look at What is coming out before May:
http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/software/spring2011.html
You think of March: Zelda, April: Steel Diver, May: Pilotwings. Suddenly things look up.
Baki said:
Although the strong 3rd party support right out of the gate is very encouraging. Not to mention that the PSP2 is a no-show and will launch after the 3DS.
PSP2 doesn't need to show up in Japan just yet. I'm noticing a trend on specialist retailer blogs where they say they are unsure about 3ds(shipment to non-major stores, etc) and are going to be pushing PSP instead, where there is profits assured. This is the 3rd party gamer market Nintendo wants to go after.
Add in the fact that the PSP bundles are technically equivalent to semi-price drops and you have a very interesting situation.
cvxfreak said:
I don't think the iPhone/iPod touch/iPad or Android are huge threats to handheld gaming in Japan.
A tendency on neogaf to just look at things through the western market view. Smart phones are not a threat and won't be till they gain a stronger user share(docomo is starting to transfer the main line to smart phones later this year, but 2012 is really the year to talk about this)(I can go get sources for user share if you wish)
But, in Japan, everyone and thier brother talks about mobile social cell-phone gaming and the effect it has on mainstream gaming/casual gaming. This is more of a threat to discuss.
onken said:
Not the same thing at all. Touchscreen brings accessibility via a very natural and intuitive input system, what does 3D bring to the table other than "oh cool, it's in 3D"?
In every single 3ds as a standard, Camera, Gyroscope, Always on communication, that's the real new 3ds power.