Nintendo, GAME and HMV refute 3DS claims

Nintendo has branded claims about 3DS refunds and dizziness made in The Sun this morning as "incorrect".

In addition, both GAME and HMV have denied issuing refunds to customers.

The paper this morning claimed that "thousands" of users have suffered either dizziness or headaches after using the device and that some retailers are offering refunds on the machine.

"Recent reports are incorrect," a Nintendo UK spokesperson told MCV. "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.

"Nintendo 3DS was designed with a 3D depth slider that lets users adjust the 3D effect so that everyone can still enjoy this product. When viewing any kind of 3D images, including movies and on TV, some people might experience minor discomfort.

"The effects are short term and have no lasting effect; most people can continue after taking a break. Customers with any concerns should contact their local Nintendo Customer Support via www.nintendo.co.uk or on 0870 6060247.”

In addition, retailer GAME has confirmed to MCV that it has had "fewer than five complaints" about feelings of dizziness from 3DS users.

MCV understands that as the returned devices are not technically faulty many retailers aren’t offering full refunds, though most are able to accept the machine as a trade-in.

HMV has told MCV that it has not issued any refunds on the 3DS. Indeed, The Sun has since amended the story online.

"Contrary to a report in today’s media – which has since been corrected – we would like to make clear that 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 and nor are we doing.

"A relatively small number of customers are, however, choosing to take us up on our pre-played games offer – which is a totally different thing, where they can trade-in previously purchased games products, including the 3DS if they so choose, against any other products that we stock in-store up to a pre-determined set value.

"We are currently offering a trade-in value of up to 200 on the 3DS – but trade-in values are reviewed all the time and this may well change after April 7th. Games trade-ins have become increasingly popular with gamers in recent years, and are a standard feature of the UK games market, with many retailers making them available to their customers."