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The Hidden Costs Behind the Big 3's Coolest Devices

RetroVertigo

June 25, 2010

M

icrosoft, Nintendo, and Sony all showed off some really cool technology coming out through the next year. However, how much is this new technology going to actually cost you? GoozerNation is here to break down some of the details of what you might really be required to pay... to play.

Let's begin with Sony, who was the most forthcoming with the cost of their PlayStation Move peripherals:

HiddenCostMove (8K)

Optional Move Accessories:

While the bundle for Move bundle is $100, it doesn't include the Navigation controller, which is an additional $30. Some games were being demonstrated using TWO of the Motion controllers, which are $50 a piece.

Realistically, an early-adopter for the PlayStation Move should expect to pay at least $130: $100 for the Move bundle and $30 for the Motion controller. You can expect to shell out another $50 for an additional Navigation controller and another $40 for a non-bundled Move game, which takes the total to nearly $250.

Ed Note: Sony did announce a $400 bundle that includes the following: a PS3 system, a PlayStation Move motion controller, a PlayStation Eye camera, Sports Champions Blu-ray game and PlayStation Move game demo disc.

Sony also promoted 3D gaming with upcoming titles like Killzone 3 and Gran Turismo 5. But in order to take advantage of the library of available 3D-compatible games, you'll need a 3D-compatible HDTV.

According to BestBuy.com, you can expect to pay between $1,000 and $6,300 for a 3D-ready TV. The drastic range in price depends on several factors: the size of the screen, the resolution, number of ports (like HDMI), the type of television (LCD, LED, DLP), brand of television, etc.

However, the cost of 3D doesn't stop with the price of a television. Special 3D glasses are required in order to see the 3D image. The costs of 3D glasses differ depending on the brand of the television, but expect to pay between $125 and $200 for each pair of 3D glasses. You will be required to purchase a specific brand's glasses in order to view 3D content on a television. For example, LG brand 3D glasses will not work on a Samsung 3D television, and vice versa. Most 3D glasses will require batteries; some may be rechargeable, others may not. The cost of batteries for the glasses is an additional requirement for 3D viewing.

Unfortunately, 3D polarized glasses, that you may have laying around the house from other 3D movies, will not work with new 3D televisions.

For somebody who is coming to the table with absolutely nothing, and is interested in gaming in 3D on the PlayStation 3, with the least amount spent, can expect to pay the following, according to BestBuy.com:

The grand total for an entry level gamer to experience 3D gaming on a PlayStation 3 is just over $2,000. This does not include the cost of an HDMI cable or any other audio/video accessories (like a home theater receiver, TV stand or TV wall mount, etc.).

Of course, the price in technology will come down over the next several years, but early adopters can expect to pay quite a lot to be the first to experience 3D gaming and movies on their PlayStation 3.

HiddenCostKinect (13K) Microsoft has stated nothing about their price for Kinect, but most retailers, including Microsoft's online store, have priced just the Kinect camera device at $149.99. Currently, this does not include any games or additional accessories, although for that kind of price, one would hope that it comes packaged with either a retail Kinect game or a compilation of mini games with which to try out the device. Games for Kinect are priced at $60, which is extremely overpriced when compared to the currently-priced Move games at $40.

For entry-level gamers, who do not own an Xbox 360, and want to experience gaming with Kinect can expect to pay the following estimate, according to current costs:

In total, a brand new gamer to Xbox 360 can expect to pay at least $360 for the controller-less experience of Kinect.

HiddenCost3Ds (12K) Nintendo's 3DS was also unveiled at E3. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the 3DS was that it didn't require 3D glasses to experience 3D gaming. The 3DS essentially looks like your standard DS Lite, DSi, and DSi XL, however, the top screen has more of a widescreen aspect ratio, has additional components like a gyroscope, a 3D slider (to adjust the 3D/2D level on the top screen) and a slider pad, analogous to the analog stick on a console controller. The 3DS will also feature a much more intensive graphics processor, which allows the system to display games at a significantly higher level of detail than current DS systems.

No price was given for the 3DS, but because the extra enhancements like 3D screen, gyroscope, a better graphics processor, and the fact that the current DSi is priced at $170, it doesn't seem unrealistic to expect a retail cost of between $200 and $250 for the system when it hits shelves next year.

Most DSi games are usually priced at $30 to $40. While most games will probably still fall within this price range, it also wouldn't be unexpected if top-tier 3DS titles retailed for as much as $50.

An early adopter for the Nintendo 3DS can probably expect to pay at or around $300 for the Nintendo 3DS system and a 3DS-compatible game.


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