Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Official DS Packaging Revealed

Posted by Zonk on from the hunters-only-divisible-by-themselves-and-1 dept.

OneHungLo writes "Gamespot has posted an article showing the final design of the Nintendo DS packaging. The package design confirms that a "Metroid Prime: Hunters" demo cart is included, and the "Pictochat" software is embedded into the DS."

37 comments

  1. DS Rules! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    The DS packaging is so awesome the PSP can't hope to compete. If only the box was bigger so I could live in it down by the river.

  2. Re:Offtopic, but... by NonSequor · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    Yeah, but the X prize doesn't have the potential to change the world that the DS does.

    --
    My only political goal is to see to it that no political party achieves its goals.
  3. Re:Offtopic, but... by infernow · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    I'm sure that there will be a story about Rutan and friends as soon as there's something to report on other than the fact that today is the day they're going for the prize, since that's already been posted. When (or if, i guess) the flight succeeds, I'm sure there will be a story about it.

    --

    that that is is that that is not is not

  4. Never mind, I guess by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    the parent's already been modded down

  5. Sexy box by Mr.Dippy · · Score: 0

    Okay I'm sold. The graphic art on that box is enough to make me buy the DS. Seriously though I think this is a new low for esoteric nerd news on slashdot. Semi off topic: Remember when systems use to include a free game when you bought them? I think manufactures started making you buy games with systems around the PS1 launch.

    --


    -Dipster
    1. Re:Sexy box by mrgreen4242 · · Score: 4, Insightful
      I was thinking about that a little while ago... the lack of bundled games... I remember buying a SNES and I got a game and 2 controllers with it, and the NES had 2 games (Mario and Duck Hunt), 2 controllers AND a lightgun! Now you are lucky to get anything beyond a single cotroller with a new system.

      Putting in a demo of Metroid is step up from the norm, but a huge step down from what we used to get. Now, I know it's not possible with the DS, but for the DVD/optical media based systems, it would be accapatble if a new console (at launch tiem anyways) included a demo disc with PLAYABLE demos of all the launch titles (it's usually only 10-15 game anyways). At least you will know what games don't suck before you plop down $50 just to try out the new toy. After 6-8 months or so they should include a complete free game, and it should be the launch title that sold the second most... it'd be incetive to get the console if you didn't already have it, but the #1 (think Halo) game will still cost you $50.

    2. Re:Sexy box by Sevidrac · · Score: 1

      You have to consider what the Industry thinks. They want to release quick (read: crap) games. If they gave you playable demos of them, you would not buy the games.

      Of course, the flip side to this arguement is that if consumers stop buying crap games, the industry will stop making them.

      --
      What luck for rulers, that men do not think. - Adolph Hitler
    3. Re:Sexy box by zouic · · Score: 2, Informative

      I bought my NES in 1989 (yeah, I know) and there was no bundle available. Just the console and two controllers.

    4. Re:Sexy box by pixillated+warrior · · Score: 0

      The only reason why we have ever gotten games with our consoles for free is to rathar get rid of extra copies that companies couldn't sell or to make people want to buy the console in the first place. It's mainly used as a very, very good way of attracting attention and to steal sales from other companies. It even builds brand loyalty to an extent.

      I have also noticed that people have been complaining a lot about the lack of demos that have existed for different consoles over the last several years (it's actually a more expensive and difficult process than you'd think, but I won't get into that here). I speculate that this demo will not only make some people say "Yes, a demo! They're listening to me!!" but will also make more people interested in the new Metriod game.

      Therefore, while it is a 'step back' (especially from the SNES days... Super Mario World, Mario Paint, Super Mario All-Stars, Donkey Kong Country and a few other games have been packaged this way) in comparison to what we're used to, it's still something. //Was going to get one regardless to what it came with, anyway.

    5. Re:Sexy box by starlabs · · Score: 1

      As a gamer, I understand what you're saying. Playable demos would be nice.

      But as a developer, that's not going to happen for launch titles. As it is, working on a launch title will shorten your lifespan considerably :p

      You're working with alpha, beta hardware where aspects of the hardware may not be finalized yet. You're working an incredible amount of hours getting the game done for a *hard date* that you cannot miss.

      Add to this another playable demo version, and it's not gonna happen. Making a separate demo version actually requires a significant amount of resources (a good part which will go into the demo and won't be useable for the full release). Most game developers will not have the bandwidth/resources to do this for a launch title, simply put.

    6. Re:Sexy box by leland242 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Hmm, I would have to disagree with: "The only reason why we have ever gotten games with our consoles for free is to rathar get rid of extra copies that companies couldn't sell or to make people want to buy the console in the first place. It's mainly used as a very, very good way of attracting attention and to steal sales from other companies. It even builds brand loyalty to an extent."

      I think the real reason we used to get games packed into consoles at launch was because people wouldn't have had it any other way.

      In the 80's, certainly, buying a video game system was a new thing and the joys of ownership were not completely understood.

      I doubt that parents, who (for the sake of arguement) know nothing about video games, would spend $200 on a toy that could not be used unless an additional $50 was spent on a game.

      The reason to pack in a game was to sell a fully functional system at the time of purchase and make it easy for everyone. Not only that, but include a good game - ala asteroids, sonic, mario, altered beast, etc etc.

      Now, that paradigm has shifted - those kids are today's parents and now it is common to have both the kids and the adults playing games.

      What I'm curious to know is what system was first introduced without a game? N64? PS1? Maybe some older system like a Turbografx?

    7. Re:Sexy box by hollismb · · Score: 2, Interesting

      I believe the most technically correct answer may have been either the Playstation, which never came with a game, as far as I know. Before that, both the Genesis and SNES were available as bundles, since I definitely remember buying the SNES with Super Mario World packed in. So, it would've been in the 32/64 bit era that it stopped alltogether. That being said, there's a pretty good reason they stopped packing in a game; number of launch titles. While the 64 and PS1 only launched with two games (if I recall correctly), Pilotwings/Mario 64 and Ridge Racer/Toshinden, all the systems after that have launched with somewhere near a minimum of 15, the focus on having a great selection available from the get-go. And, while it would have seemed obvious to pack-in Halo with the Xbox, you've got to remember that it's an M-rated game, and would've alienated a pretty large market segment. Plus, they wouldn't be able to continue selling Halo for 30 bucks like it still does today. That being said, if I had gotten some lame pack-in like Oddword: Munch's Oddessy, (which would've been the logical choice) that crap would've been tossed right in the trash.

  6. News? by UncleBiggims · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Ok, so the news here is that gamespot has a picture of the Nintendo DS box... or am I missing something? Wow, a picture of the box. Now that DOES matter.

    P.S. Gizmodo posted this about 4 days ago. :)

    1. Re:News? by NanoGator · · Score: 1

      "Ok, so the news here is that gamespot has a picture of the Nintendo DS box... or am I missing something? Wow, a picture of the box. Now that DOES matter."

      Well... do you remember when the 'Ultra 64' was supposed to be released in 95? Since then, everybody's been skeptical of Nintendo's ability to release a product on time. So yes, it matters when we see the packaging. That usually shows up just before release.

      Okay, not the most scientific of methods to deduce whether Nintendo'll get it out on time or not, but hey, it's still good news. After seeing it, it's harder to believe that Nintendo isn't going to say "oops we're delaying it another year!"

      --
      "Derp de derp."
    2. Re:News? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

      I took it to mean something different.

      I see every announcement that Nintendo makes about the DS as a wake-up call to Sony. We don't have nearly the amount of info about the PSP that we do about the DS. The Sony fanboys like to claim that the DS is merely a reaction to the PSP, that it would never have been released if the PSP was never announced. If that's the case, why are we getting the DS first, with so many GAMING features that Sony had never even thought about, and why is Sony so afraid to make revelations about the PSP even at this late point in time? Sony doesn't even want people to know how much PSP is going to cost!

      Even the fact that the press can publish what the DS packaging will look like is proof that the DS is here, ready for consumption, and it's worth all the anticipation that's been going on since E3 showed everyone that the DS was THE gaming system to be reckoned with. They shut up their critics by flooding them with information about their product. It's Nintendo laying their cards on the table, as if saying to Sony, "This is my house. Put up, shut up, or go home." And Sony has yet to prove themsleves to everyone who's been paying attention that they deserve consideration.

  7. I want one. by koi88 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I know I want one.
    The device looks cool and I'm sure Nintendo will offer a range of fresh new games (something I don't expect from PSP, that has the only ambition to be a portable PS2).

    --

    I don't need a signature.
    1. Re:I want one. by Ondo · · Score: 2, Informative

      With the news that the PSP is coming in at only $199 for the base model, I don't think you could give me one of these.

      News that was clearly made up. $300 is still the most likely price.

    2. Re:I want one. by Kumorigoe · · Score: 1

      Don't knock the idea of a portable PS2...
      The PS2 is one of the best selling consoles in gaming history. And the PSP has many other options besides just gaming, with the UMD format. I can see a time when you can get movies, previews, demos, and applications; all on a tiny disc.

      --
      "What I cary in this box is your utter subjugation."
  8. TOUCH ME! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    You know you want to touch it.

  9. Let's take a look at economics. by Inoshiro · · Score: 4, Insightful

    When you were buying a NES Power Pack or a SNES box, you were getting a lot, yes.

    However, they also had NES packs without the extra controller and game. Did you notice how those were cheaper? I did.

    In the olden days (1992), a NES system was about 40$ to make, 60$ at the wholesale level, and 80$ at the retailer level. They sold for 100$. If you had the extra game and controller, you'd spend about 150$. They passed the cost on to the consumer, rather than taking away from their profit margin just like any business would.

    How much does a PS2 cost to make? They sell for 200$ CDN, but the cost to make is not 100$. It's closer to 170$. If you want a package that has an extra controller and a game, you just buy them separately. This has the added benefit of giving you, the end user, the choice over what controller and game combinations you get. Most of the time, people play single player games, for example. This means a lot of people (70% or so) don't want an extra controller.

    About the only thing I can think that would be beneficial to include with a system would be a memory card, because (like a power cord, AV cord, controller, and the system itself), it's the only thing that's 100% needed for gaming enjoyment. However, as we see regular capacity increases (well, not from Sony; Nintendo has gone up from 59 block, to 251 block cards, to 1019 block cards), and because there are 3rd party cards (well, not much on the Sony side), you see that this could again be a place where consumers exercise their right to choose.

    "After 6-8 months or so they should include a complete free game,"

    Hmm, well, you obviously haven't seen the Microsoft Xbox holidy bundles. They include "complete, free*" games (*: It still costs more than a base system, because companies past costs on to the consumer, duh!) with them to try and drive sales of people who wouldn't mind getting a system with some games, as long as the system + games together is cheaper than the system + buying games separately. Microsoft's not the only one to do this; Nintendo has had things like the Mario Sunshine bundle (which also included a memory card 59), the current Metroid Prime bundle (Players' Choice million sold), and the Zelda collector pack (which had emulated classics in it). Nintendo didn't charge extra for its bundles (Mario Sunshine bundle excluded) and had them out for the holidays as well.

    So it looks like, to me, that the reason companies don't always include FREE (which aren't free because you pay anyways) junk is because most people don't want it, which is reflected in the fact that, while the companies will put out holiday bundles to hopefully snap up extra Q4 system sales, they still have the regular bare-bones configuration available alongside it.

    Hmm, so wouldn't that make your whole "+5, Insightful" into a "+2, Redundant" because you obviously never researched any of what you talk about, you just yammered along about how you want free stuff, and hit post? Halo's still expensive because it still sells. Microsoft knows this as much as you know this. I don't think you'll see a price drop on it until November the 9th; perhaps not even then. And don't think that feature's unique to Microsoft; Super Smash Bros Melee is still 49$ CDN, despite being Players' Choice.

    --
    --
    Internet Explorer (n): Another bug -- that is, a feature that can't be turned off -- in Windows.
    1. Re:Let's take a look at economics. by mrgreen4242 · · Score: 1
      Hmm, so wouldn't that make your whole "+5, Insightful" into a "+2, Redundant" because you obviously never researched any of what you talk about, you just yammered along about how you want free stuff, and hit post? Halo's still expensive because it still sells. Microsoft knows this as much as you know this. I don't think you'll see a price drop on it until November the 9th; perhaps not even then. And don't think that feature's unique to Microsoft; Super Smash Bros Melee is still 49$ CDN, despite being Players' Choice.

      I'm gonna start with the end of your post... First thing is I didn't moderate it to +5 insightful. Clearly someone else thought I had something relivent to say. Second, we are talking about VIDEO GAMES. CALM DOWN, no need to be such a dick about freaking games!

      Now, I recall the 'bare-bones' NES and SNES, but as I remember it those came out after the initial launch of the system... maybe I am wrong, but that would at least give you something to get all angry about again.

      Also, the bundles we get now with a system are coming what, 2 or 3 years after the console launch? Why bother at that point? There's enough used and bargain bin games that users can make their own bundles. The appeal to bundling a game with a system AT LAUNCH is that it FEELS free... of course we are paying for it, usually to the tune of $200-300.

      This means a lot of people (70% or so) don't want an extra controller.

      Ok, my compleely made up figure is that 85% of people think of gaming as a social activity, and hence must want an extra controller to play with friends. Moving on...

      Ok, demo's, what I suggested be bundled with systems, would be a nice thing to throw in that would arguably sell more games than nothing. I know alot of new systems ship with demo disc, but they usually suck. They have 2 or 3 playable demos and a bunch of videos for games. By ADDING VALUE to that demo disc and giving the consumer 10-12 GOOD (remember when the shareware Quake/2 was fun enough to kill a weekend playing, but still left you wanting the whole thing?) playable demos you will be giving something to the consumer as well as helping spur sale of software, which is where the money is anyways.

      Lastly, I wanted to mention percieved value. The DS perhaps could have sold for $135 without a demo game (which from the sounds of it is going to be a pretty cool demo). However, by adding on $15 to the end price, and throwing in a game, people are going to look at it and say 'wow, that's $100 less than the PSP costs (or whatever it ends up being), and you get a FREE game'! It's a good move on Nintendo's part, imo.

    2. Re:Let's take a look at economics. by mrgreen4242 · · Score: 1
      Well, can't say how accurate this is, but from http://www.nintendoland.com/home2.htm?nes/history. htm:

      At first the NES was sold for 249 dollars in a package (Original Set) consisting of: the control deck, 2 controllers, the Zapper lightgun and the strange toy ROB (Robotic Operation Buddy), which came with the games Duck Hunt and Gyromite. Soon, Nintendo decided to change this set and simply release the Action Set (sold for $199 ), which did away with ROB and Gyromite, instead throwing in the best "platformer" the World has ever seen - Super Mario Bros. This must have been the most successful of the many different sets! The Power Set was like the Action Set but with a new improved controller called the Power Pad and a new NES game called World Class Track Meet.

      Looks like the original NES was released with all kinds of accessories at first, and they were slowly scaled back to offer less expensive sets. I am almost certain that the SNES launch came with 2 controllers and Super Mario World as well.

    3. Re:Let's take a look at economics. by Cutriss · · Score: 1

      That info is way off. It says that the Basic Set wasn't sold until 1990, but I got a Basic Set, and had my NES for at least three years before getting the Super NES when it launched in 1991.

      --
      "Mod, mod, mod...and another troll bites the dust."
    4. Re:Let's take a look at economics. by mrgreen4242 · · Score: 1

      I'm not sure, but I think the basic set they were refering too was the new design, with the top load carts... it's not very clear.

    5. Re:Let's take a look at economics. by Inoshiro · · Score: 3, Insightful

      "Second, we are talking about VIDEO GAMES. CALM DOWN, no need to be such a dick about freaking games!"

      I'm just speaking out because there's a very strong "something-for-nothing" attitude that a lot of /.ers have. There is no such thing as a free lunch; you don't have to be an economics major to understand this, so why can't we?

      Plus, everything you suggest has happened, in one form or another, for the past decade. Just not to the extent that you seem to want.

      "Now, I recall the 'bare-bones' NES and SNES, but as I remember it those came out after the initial launch of the system... maybe I am wrong, but that would at least give you something to get all angry about again."

      They did. However, as you'll notice, the majority of system sales did not occur until after these price cuts and slashes to make sure that the retailers could pump out the maximum volume of systems. The attachment rate (aka the # of games each system owner buys, on average) is something you can't always maximize easily; the solution to that is to get more systems out the door so there are more systems for the games to attach to. That's why this proved to be a succesful strategy for Nintendo in the late 80s and early 90s (as well as for other makers, like Sega and notably Sony).

      "Also, the bundles we get now with a system are coming what, 2 or 3 years after the console launch? Why bother at that point? There's enough used and bargain bin games that users can make their own bundles."

      Not true. Microsoft can throw in 2 games for a price that's like buying one game used. Nintendo can take a game that's made back its development costs and throw it in the box with a demo of its sequel. All of this is only possibly because the cost of the system hardware has been reduced. At each price point, there is a very specific hardware lifecycle attached. Intial launching at 300$ US means it costs about 450$ CDN for a system. That's expensive. All the launch titles are expensive, too; only early adopters will be wanting to buy a system for half a grand, and then dropping a further 80-90$ a piece on games. But if they wait a couple of years, they can walk away with a system that includes a game or two for 150$ less (as happened with the holiday bundles in fall 2002). This is a great bullet point on the box, and helps get the "wait-and-see" people off the sidelines and buying systems they can attach new games to.

      "The appeal to bundling a game with a system AT LAUNCH is that it FEELS free... of course we are paying for it, usually to the tune of $200-300."

      Yes, but that's 100% covering cost. If you wanted to include a game with it, you'd have to make it even more expensive. Sony wisely chose to include a demo disc with the launch of the PlayStation console to keep it at the (at the time, incredible for the technology involved) price of 399$ US, rather than having a pack in. Sega tried to sue them for getting it to that low level. Until you get some early adopters out there providing you with better advertising (as in, "try out the Playstation I bought, buddy!"), and helping you to clear out inventories of systems so that economies of scale on the production can kick in (which allows vendors to actually have margin on the units; Sony milked this with the PS2 until Microsoft and Nintendo came along) and allow for better technologies, etc.

      "Ok, my compleely made up figure is that 85% of people think of gaming as a social activity, and hence must want an extra controller to play with friends. Moving on..."

      As any engineer would tell you, it's easier to add than subtract. The number of single-player people outnumbers the number of multi-player people out there; so the multi-player people can add. In addition, why pay 40$ more for a console with extra controller, when you can get a MadCatz extra controller for 20$?

      "Ok, demo's, what I suggested be bundled with systems, would be a nice thing to throw in

      --
      --
      Internet Explorer (n): Another bug -- that is, a feature that can't be turned off -- in Windows.
    6. Re:Let's take a look at economics. by rubberbando · · Score: 1

      These prices are waaaay off. I bought my NES in 1985 for $80, it had 2 controllers and Super Mario Bros which I kept at my mother's house. That same year, my father bought the bigger set for $150 that came with 2 controllers, light gun, R.O.B., duck hunt and gyromite.

      A few years later, nintendo offered a NES with Super Mario Bros / Duck hunt, 1or 2 controller(s) and the light gun for $99.

      In 1992, I bought my SNES for $149 which came with 2 controllers and Super Mario World. I also bought a Genesis that year for $200 which came with Altered Beast and 2 controllers.

      I did notice though that as the prices went down on the SNES and Genesis, not only did they stick you with only one controller, the cords got noticably shorter (like from 5-6 feet to 3 feet).

      --
      DEAD DEAD DEAD DELETE ME
  10. with pictochat... by CodeWanker · · Score: 2

    Hmmm... Can I con my boss into buying us some as collaboration tools? That would be a great way to hold meetings.

    --


    "Wow. Now THAT'S a lot of angry Indians." - Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer
    1. Re:with pictochat... by antifoidulus · · Score: 1

      Till it devolves into gameboy goatse drawings.....

      --
      Monstar L
  11. just btw by himitsu · · Score: 1

    Smash Bros Melee is $20 in the US. Maybe Nintendo only likes America and Japan?

  12. Release Games? by pat_trick · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Whee! Packaging! ...ok, the novelty of that wore off quickly.

    I'm going to keep on playing my GBA until I find out if any good games are coming out for the DS. So far all I've seen are the same "let's take this old game and port it to this new console" remakes. In the meantime, no new console purchases for me.

    1. Re:Release Games? by Glytch · · Score: 1

      I'm coming at it from the other way. I have an old-style GBA, the one without the backlit screen. I've been avoiding getting an SP in case the DS comes in at a reasonable price. I'm glad I waited, I think I will be getting one.

  13. Skype Support by Deliveranc3 · · Score: 1

    I want it, with this feature me and my precious will rule the world.

    Yes yes my precious.

    If it doesn't have it I'll have to get a pocket PC and play minesweeper, and that's just not cool.

    NINTENDO AND SKYPE!!! ALLIANCE TIME, GO!!!!! BE FRUITFUL AND MULTIPLY!

  14. Way off? by Inoshiro · · Score: 1

    What country did you come from? Mine was Canada! Canadian prices for a Canadian childhood. Or did you just assume I was in the US? Several countries use "dollars" for currency, including Australia (which has even more outrageous sounding prices!).

    --
    --
    Internet Explorer (n): Another bug -- that is, a feature that can't be turned off -- in Windows.