Video game goods too expensive in Akihabara?

I�Lm planning buying some video game consoles and games in my trip to Japan (a PsVita and a US region 3DS), but I�Lve heard that Akihabara has turned quite expensive regarding game goods.

Should I look for better prices in central Tokyo or should I try smaller shops?
I�Lm also going to Kyoto, will I have more luck searching in Den Den Town?

I�Lm planning buying some video game consoles and games in my trip to Japan (a PsVita and a US region 3DS), but I�Lve heard that Akihabara has turned quite expensive regarding game goods.

Akihabara turning expensive? You mean they're charging retail now ;) Btw, foreign region items are not all that common, so good luck finding them. It'll be pretty hit or miss.

Should I look for better prices in central Tokyo or should I try smaller shops?

I wouldn't bother. The prices will be pretty uniform across the country. You can price check on Kakaku.com, they list a lot of physical stores too.

With regard to Super Potato specifically, their Ikebukuro branch is slightly cheaper than their Akihabara branch. Whether or not you'll find what you're looking for though is another matter.

http://www.e-trader.jp/trader/contents/sub/guide_store_t1.html
2F import game(New/Used)

or online
http://www.asobit.net/shopbrand/006/X/

Mmmh, if you want a US region console, then Japan is NOT the place... You won't find it easily and definitely not cheaper than in the US... not worth the effort at all in my opinion.

About, Den Den Town, is not in Kyoto but in Osaka; if you like retro stuff, their Super Potato branch is quite interesting (as much as the Akihabara one could be); new videogame prices will be quite uniform though.
In Kyoto, is often very very overlooked but there's some videogame shops in Teramachi-dori, if you have some time, go there and take a look. You never know what you may find. There's also a very nice Onigiri stall in the street :D

Thanks for the opinions, also I didn�Lt know Kakaku.com, thanks for the reference.

More opinions are welcome, since there�Ls still some time until my trip. I will try to post here if I found what I wanted and where after that.

re Den Den town
I have found much easier to deal with staff in big electronic stores like Yodobashi Cameras and Bic, than in Den Den town small stores, as the people there don't really speak English. Also these small crowded stores aren't a good place for browsing around..

Its one thing fine to buy a knick knack without the 2 parties not speaking the other person language, but when buying electronics I have to know all about the goods I am interested in..

Akiba is expensive yes. It's quite a tourist trap.
Best places to buy games are out of the way book/hard offs

for new stuff such as the vita and 3DS there's not much to be saved. A US 3DS will cost you far more than in the states. As mentioned Akiba is a tourist trap and you will be paying close to ebay prices, den den town is going the same way but at a slower pace.