According to British tabloid The Sun, Nintendo’s 3DS is seeing “record levels” of store returns, with “thousands” of users suffering from dizziness and headaches. This same paper claimed earlier that “hundreds” were complaining, while Nintendo refutes such claims.
Allegedly, high street chain HMV is offering full refunds to angry consumers, while GAME’s policy varies between stores. One user in Bexleyheath (where I used to shop, and it was always full of douchebags) says he had to fight for his refund, but eventually got it.
“When I returned mine to my local GAME in Bexleyheath I had an argument at first but I am someone who knows how to argue and stuck with my guns,” claimed the consumer. “Once the guy agreed we chatted and he told me they had had a high return of the 3DS, more than any launch product.”
Of course, since this is The Sun, the actual truth is disputed. Nintendo says GAME had “less than five people” complaining, and retailers themselves refute the claims. It almost looks like The Sun is embellishing in order to justify its earlier attack on the system, which wouldn’t be the first time. Tabloids are great at holding a grudge like that.
In any case, this is unpleasant PR for a system that really hasn’t been getting too much positive coverage.