Has the Nintendo 3DS Blown Its Opportunity?

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Interpret, a leading entertainment, media and technology market research firm, today released its Q1 2011 3D Entertainment report, which finds that Nintendo has yet to capitalize on the earlier anticipation for its 3DS handheld gaming device.

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The report examines the 3D markets of theatrical, home entertainment and gaming, comparing Q1 2011 to Q1 2010. In gaming, the report shows interest declining 27% for the Nintendo 3DS since a year ago.

"The lack of sales for the 3DS does not reflect the overall interest in 3D gaming," said Michael Cai, Interpret VP of Games and Technology. "Instead, it illustrates that Nintendo put the cart before the horse; that is, they released the hardware without the necessary software to engender robust sales. Our data shows that gamers want the Nintendo franchise games – Super Mario Brothers, Zelda, etc – but without them, the 3DS will continue to flounder."

Despite the underperformance of the 3DS, the gaming industry may represent the greatest hope for 3DTV sales in particular – consumers who own a PS3 and/or Xbox 360 are much more likely than the average consumer to plan to purchase a 3DTV in the next 12 months.

Click here for more information about the 3D Entertainment Study.

Interpret's 3D Entertainment Study is a New Media Measure™ report produced by Interpret LLC. The report examines consumer awareness, experience, perception, and interest of 3D entertainment and technologies and identifies early adopters of 3D content and devices. It covers different types of 3D media including theatrical, home entertainment, TV services, and video games and analyzes which type of content will drive consumer adoption of 3DTVs.

New Media Measure™ is Interpret LLC's proprietary, quarterly survey of media behaviors, attitudes and product consumption. New Media Measure™ surveys 9,000 consumers aged 12-65, representative of the U.S. population and weighted to U.S. Census..

About Interpret LLC

Interpret is the leading cross-media market research firm. The company applies proprietary, cutting-edge methodologies and extensive category knowledge to help clients plan, test, and measure business strategies in the fast-evolving media landscape. Interpret's unique combination of syndicated measurement products and custom market research services provides a common language across media for the key stakeholders of the digital age.   www.interpretllc.com.

SOURCE Interpret LLC