With Nintendo finally pulling back the curtain on its new handheld, the 3DS, the question must be asked.  Does it cost too much?  Yes the device is launching in Japan first for what will most likely be a higher price than what it will sell for in the USA. But even if it launches for $250.00 USD that is far outside the "impulse buy" range for most Americans.

If the 3DS launches in the USA for $300.00 that price is the same as a 32GB Ipod Touch.  Needless to say, the Ipod Touch is by far Nintendo's biggest competition.  But for the price, what do consumers get?  With the Ipod, they get thousands of games and applications and most for less than $5.00. With the 3DS, they get 3D in their hands, Mario, Zelda and a host of other games.  But we have no idea what those games will cost.  Also, it has been announced that the 3DS will have a virtual console.  That's great!

Right now it is just too hard to tell if the 3DS is worth it.  Only a few games have been announced but no one will know what the system can do until they get their hands on it come Feb 26, 2010 in Japan.  Here's hoping the price tag is worth it.