Nintendo 3DS: 'Record Returns' Denied By Retailers

Recent claims made by the Sun newspaper that 'thousands' of gamers had returned their 3DS consoles back to the shops after they had experienced several side-effects, have been refuted by retailers.

The article stated that there had been 'record returns' of the new 3DS console after gamers experienced dizziness and nausea after playing the console with the 3D effects enabled. Nevertheless, several video game retailers including GAME and HMV have said that the newspaper's claims are untrue.

GAME has admitted that a few people have requested a refund for the console after experiencing some minor ill-effects, but that these returns figures do not add up to thousands of returns. A spokesperson for GAME said: "We've had less than five people complain that they feel sick and want to return [the 3DS]." [Source:http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-04-05-nintendo-discredits-3ds-headaches-story]

Meanwhile, HMV has denied any 3DS returns. A representative of HMV said: " we are not aware of any manufacturing fault with the 3DS console - which we have seen huge demand for, and that we have not issued any refunds for it." [ibid.]   

Nintendo have also been quick to defend the 3D technology used in the new console, saying: "The number of calls and emails with queries on Nintendo 3DS is in fact well below the rate experienced during past hardware launches and having spoken with our retail partners there are only a handful of people who have actually gone into stores to request a refund." [http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-04-05-retailers-deny-3ds-scare-story]

 The 3DS has proven to be extremely popular with the European gaming community. The console sold 113,000 units in its first two days on sale in the UK, and 303,000 units across Europe combined. Nevertheless, this latest media backlash - whether true or otherwise - is now likely to dent public confidence in the Nintendo handheld.

For those gamers who have experienced side-effects from using the 3DS, however, Nintendo have offered various pieces of health and safety literature that accompany the 3DS console, and which can be summerised in the following way:

• Children aged seven or under should not use the 3D effects on the new console as it could damage their developing eyesight. Parents and guardians should use the 3D Depth Slider to turn off the 3D effect before giving it to a child aged seven or under.

Play the 3DS in a well-lit environment and avoid playing if you feel tired. Take a fifteen minute break after approximately half an hour of playing the 3DS (with 3D enabled). 

• Consult your GP before playing the 3DS if you are prone to epilepsy or seisures when playing video games, or are affected by flashing images.

• Use the 3D depth slider on the side of the console to control how much of the 3D effect is displayed. If the 3D effects make you uncomfortable, slide the depth slider to the lowest possible 3D setting.

HAVE YOUR SAY...

Have you experienced any ill-effects whilst using the 3DS with the 3D effect enabled?

 Has The Sun newspaper article put you off of owning a Nintendo 3DS?

Have you tried to return a Nintendo 3DS console to the shop where you bought it? What was your experience?

If you have any comment to make on this subject, please let us know. We'd be delighted to hear your thoughts.