[quote name='SaraAB']If retailers aren't moving units then they have to reduce the price to move units, if they aren't moving units they aren't selling games and accessories and accessories is how the retailers make most of their profit. Games and systems are relatively low margin and don't carry much profit for a retailer, they are just there to get you in the door and hope you buy other stuff in the process. If an item is not moving then the retailer is not making a profit on things that just sit around and they could be using the shelf space of the dead product to fill up with other products that might actually move and make profit.
If they are reducing the price on systems then that means they are willing to take a small hit on the original item in order to hopefully move some of the games and accessories that are just sitting around. More games constantly are coming out and the retailer needs to have shelf space for those that are coming out, and there is only so much shelf space to go around.
This is the slow time for system sales so I am not surprised, though easter is coming and easter is apparently the next Christmas in terms of giving gifts now, as kids get "easter" gifts such as games and systems, so hopefully sales will spur a bit from that.
The 3DS may be a couple generations behind however it has the better games of the 2 Nintendo systems, its clear that Nintendo consoles lack games, however their handhelds more than make up for it. I would go as far as to say that their handhelds are the best in the business, even better than Sony or Apple or any smartphone. In the end the hardware does not matter, what matters is that there are good games coming out. The only way hardware would get in the way is if its so bad it causes problems on certain games, like if the games crash. The 3DS is totally worth purchasing, as with any system though you should look at the library and make sure there is something you want to personally play on it before you buy.[/QUOTE]
My daughter is 4 and has a DSi. IIRC the 3DS is not suitable for kids under 6 because the 3D from it can cause lazy eye and other development problems in the eye. IIRC 6-10 or 6-12 the 3D should be used on a limited basis for similar reasons though its less severe. I can't see getting a 3DS for at least 3-4 years because of this.
Edit:
http://m.guardiannews.com/technology/2011/jan/20/nintendo-3ds-could-harm-child-eyes-claim
http://www.kotaku.com.au/2010/12/nintendos-3ds-warning-for-kids-under-six-years-old/