Cubed3.com is reporting that
Nintendo Power has revealed that the DS's Opera web browser will
launch in June in Japan. The browser will be released on a standard DS cartridge, retailing for 3,800 yen (roughly $32).
$32 for a web browser? Yikes! Note: release outside of Japan is still unconfirmed.













(Page 1) Reader Comments
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Also, the ability to buy a DS lite and web browser is still the most affordable way to get a really good web experience on a decent sized screen.
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GBA, PictoChat, DS, Web, small form factor and great looks...
i can't wait, this will definately make the ds lite a must carry device for me
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Safari DS would have been nice :)
I might buy. Depends on how many free wireless hotspots are set up in Manchester. Folk say Nintendo installed a load but I've yet to find one.
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For gods sake that isn't much. My mind was thinking £32 in my first post. god. £18! I'd buy one with no qualms.
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If they follow the pricing strategy that just about everyother games/harware maker does on your side of the pond, it probably will cost £32. Suckers.
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:D
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As for the price, I'm sure there are development costs associated with this device. When you add in manufacturing costs (assuming they put it on an SD cartridge), and in particular, the fact that this thing will probably not sell like Nintendogs, $32 doesn't seem that bad. It's about the price of a game, but will probably see much lower gross sales. It doesn't seem to me like they are making this price point to try and garner profits.
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The price aint that bad for a game or something so if there's more to it than just a basic web browser, I'll pick it up. I'm also wondering if you have to keep the card in or do you just upgrade the ds with it.
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One of the reasons why the DS can be sold at a relatively low cost is because it doesn’t burden you with the cost of features you don't want/need, such as mp3/movie players, browsers/gps etc. The DS is manufactured and sold primarily as a games machine.
Do you seriously think these features come *free* on other handhelds such as PSP or Gizmondo? If you want to play games on a PSP, you pay for these extra (game unrelated) features whether you want them or not. That’s the difference.
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I'd guess that's where the extra cost comes in.
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However, the difference between DS and PSP is that DS already has an established library of great games. The web browser is an OPTIONAL afterthought to gaming. Gaming comes first on the DS. Everything else comes later (opposite to the PSP...).
However, the price is a bit much for a web browser. But, like anything else, it has its development and manufacturing costs...
Frankly, I'd like to see if the Mozilla Foundation can whip up a Firefox DS...
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Your argument about extra features, ie the browser, is kinda irrelevent since the PSP didn't launch with one built in. Yes psp owners are paying extra for picture/mp3/video playback but not for the browser, that was added afterwards as good incentive.
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Considering that you have to pay to surf on BT OpenZone (£40 a month) using other methods (such as a laptop, PDA or PSP), if Nintendo allows us to surf for free through their WiFi network (including OpenZone) then this would be a bargain as you would be saving on WiFi and GPRS call charges.
Having said that, if Opera DS users can't surf thru Nintendo Wi-Fi for free, then $32 is truly a rip-off price for a browser.
Personally I can't see why Nintendo wouldn't allow Opera DS owners to surf for free on their network. The browser is light and wouldn't allow you to stream videos or music let download anything (no where to save).
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Is Nintendo going to allow the DS to display the worst porn the internet has to offer? In the name of free speech, I certainly hope so, but I can't help but think of all the edited out crosses and ridiculous censorship NOA implimented in NES games.
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I'd pay 32 bucks
Definitely not an equal comparison, but checking email is the same no matter what.
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The PSP browser didn't appear as if by magic, and Sony isn't a charity organisation. The browser may have been available only after the launch, but the research, development and planning for this feature along with others is accounted for and is surely factored into the cost of the unit.
Regardless, the point is the DS doesn’t come with the same level of features as the PSP, and the price reflects this. I could understand the criticism if the DS sold at high price, but it doesn’t. It’s an inexpensive games machine and if you happen to want a browser for it, you’ll be able to buy one. Seems perfectly reasonable to me.
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Remember that the Opera cartridge will ship with a memory expansion for the GBA port. Maybe other games could utilize that too, hmmmm....
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HAHHAHAHAHAHA on the PSP the "free" web browser is stupid, but on the DS the $32 dollar web browser is a GREAT deal HAHAHHAHA. I always thought FREE was always better than having to pay, just like how DS owners complaints on how expensive the PSP is. HMMmmm that doesnt make sense.
Then, #18, it's a great idea to put it on an extra accessory for web browser for the DS and carry it around but its stupid for the PSP to have an extra accessory of a keyboard and carrying it around.
Then, comment #30 states that it was a third party company that is making this add-on so Nintendo is not stupid, but Sony does not make games but only hardware but they get insulted for the games they did NOT make.
HAHAHHAHAHHA freakin DS fanboys are soo G@Y. They insult others and justify their hypocritical cr@p.
O yeah can someone pls tell me how much Daxter is for PSP and how much Tetris is for DS? B/c I keep hearing that PSP games are "outragiously" pricey but I noticed it was only a $5 difference. ...... And $32 web browser is more justified than a free web browser? HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHA DS fanboys are AWSOME.... IT SHOOTS LAZURS!!!!
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your psp came with a "free" web browser, did it? so that was included in the low price of 299$ that you spent? wonderful. my ds cost me 129$.
"daxter" was "only" 5$ more than tetris? well. what a deal! lord knows you'll have endless amounts of fun playing that game multiplayer with 10 of your friends on only one copy of the game like tetris. it's also cool how you can play "daxter" online completely free against millions of people around the world, too, like tetris. you know, with all that added functionality and value, the fact that it costs "only" 5$ more is really a great deal!
also, i'd like to point out that it's a *great* idea to carry around a little keyboard for your psp! i mean... why have the added hardware functionality of a versatile touch-screen to emulate hardware like keyboards and notepads when you can just stuff your pockets full of extra hardware that you had to pay for?
you know, i've really seen the light thanks to you, "jamesology" thank you so much for opening my eyes.
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¥16800 - NDS Lite
¥3800 - Browser
Total: ¥20600
PSP Standard Pack: ¥19800
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Of course you can find them $5 apart in price if you pick and choose vendors. Nevermind the fact at most places offering both Tetris DS and Daxter, Daxter is typically $10 more, and this is easily the most likely scenario in pricing between the two systems. So you can't even be wrong correctly...how very sad.
I personally don't need the browser, but the RAM is something I'm interested in if it can boost gameplay. And if that is the case, I'll fork over 30 bucks.
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And that means no keyboard. Whereas the DS at least has the option of touchpad browsing.
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And that means no keyboard. Whereas the DS at least has the option of touchpad browsing.
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On the other hand, tapping a virtual keyboard with the stylus has to be better than what the PSP requires without buying an accessory that makes the free browser a bit less free. (Be cool for a PSP MMORPG if one should appear.)
Is there any detail available about support for additional RAM and/or flash storage in the GBA slot. Hopefully the browser itself has at least a few K to store bookmarks and preferences. Automated username and password entry would be very helpful for getting past the lack of a real keyboard.
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and btw, the ds browser isn't 32 dollars for just the browser, it's hardware too.
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I know once the DS lite, Super Mario World, and Opera browser hits the US, I'll be more than happy to plop down the money to get this for me and my significant other.
Here's hoping that the Opera browser on the DS supports recent tech like Flash. Think of all the cool web based Flash games that can exist if you're able to "tap into" (no pun intended) using the stylus.
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Why not make it free with any wifi game Nintendo..!
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$129? O yeah that is a good price, well its system upgrade now those new feature look pretty neat.. o look I just have to download mine "free", the DS download? Nope it's a new hardware of most probably $199 or even $129 again. --
-- o wait reminiscing......, i bought the GBA but wtf i can't see a damn thing i need light, o wait there it is ..........in the new SP.
So ummm what is the point of play $5 less for a tetris game. heck most cellphones now-a-day come with that game for free. I can also emulate the game for "free".
-- o wait reminiscing again...... DS fanboy: "why would I wanna play a port of a game I can play in my PS2 these PSP games suck they are all remakes of the PS2 why not create something more creative Sony." -----------still never understood why they would ask Sony to make new games when they never did make them.
Versatility of a touch screen? If soo versatile then while do Blackberry phones (actually all cellphones) or Treo's have rejected the "VERSATILITY" of the touch screens? PCs and Laptops are soo high-tech these days they even have Liquid cooling systems, heck our gaming systems are based one these computers; but what's this, they dont have touch screens? That can't be right can it?
Yeah all that extra hardware I had to pay for I remember those! I remember when I bought the GBA I had to buy an adapter to use headphones. Then, recently just to get extra memory, so you have to get Play- Yan to use SD cards. Soooo pretty much I have to buy and carry an accessory to use an accessory; but I guess I'm too stupid to think that carrying extra MS sticks was easier. O yeah I want web, better bring that cartridge, but maybe later I want my DS to rumble sweet the new rumble pack is out better bring that too!
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yeah. its free. but you'll end up paying every single time you have to enter a URL.
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What do you mean I'll have to pay every single time I enter an url? I don't think you know what Wifi is.
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