That was fast: Nintendo dropping price of 3DS significantly

Nintendo has announced today that it will be dropping the price of the 3DS handheld, starting August 12th.

The company is taking a huge chunk off the MSRP, dropping the price from $250 to $170.

Adds NoA President Reggie Fils-Aime:

For anyone who was on the fence about buying a Nintendo 3DS, this is a huge motivation to buy now. We are giving shoppers every incentive to pick up a Nintendo 3DS, from an amazing new price to a rapid-fire succession of great games.

The move will "create momentum for the Nintendo 3DS and accelerate its market penetration toward the year end sales season, when the lineup for the applicable software shall be enriched," adds the company.

Nintendo says it has sold 830,000 3DS in the U.S. since launch, and all current owners will be offered 20 free games from the newly launched Nintendo eShop.

Additionally, users who take advantage of the eShop deal are also enrolled in the "3DS Ambassador program," which allows for 10 free NES Virutal Console downloads like Super Mario Bros. and Donkey Kong Jr. Finally, "Ambassadors" will also get 10 free Game Boy Advance Virtual Console games like Mario vs. Donkey Kong and Mario Kart: Super Circuit.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 28 Jul 2011 10:44

Mysttic

I would have loved to pick this unit up, however not only is the current software line up mediocre at best; I have astigmatism so I can't play the unit in 3D. That alone defeats the purpose of owning the unit and I not alone out there. Nintendo should have went back to the drawing board on this one.

28.7.2011 11:22 #1

xaznboitx

my cousin almost got one 3 weeks ago and now glad he didn't. he can use the extra money to buy games with it. I was thinking of buy myself one now. only if there was a red 3ds like the ones from japan.

28.7.2011 13:28 #2

xnonsuchx

Not surprising after recent reports of 3D gaming not really being much of an interest to most people. Most don't even care about 3D TV. When even the PSP was outselling the 3DS in Japan, you know something's wrong.

28.7.2011 17:00 #3

nonoitall

Figures they'd do this less than a month after I bought mine. At least I got a $25 discount off the original $250. :-P

me on the Dragon Ball Encyclopedia
me on YouTube

28.7.2011 17:10 #4

ROMaster2

Much better price, I may get one once there's a good line up of games to play.

28.7.2011 20:26 #5

KillerBug

I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that the 3D only works if you hold the system and your head in a certain way...combined with the fact that the system has motion controls that require you move the system out of this "3D Zone"?

...Or maybe it was because there are so few games that it is really only worthwhile to a children's eye doctor...

...Or maybe it is because it is targeted mostly at kids and kids typically don't have a lot of spending power except around Xmas?

...or maybe it is the fact that you can get a brand new XboX 360 for $50 less or a PSPgo for $100 less? Yeah...I think that was the killer.

28.7.2011 23:23 #6

biglo30

Originally posted by KillerBug: I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that the 3D only works if you hold the system and your head in a certain way...combined with the fact that the system has motion controls that require you move the system out of this "3D Zone"?

...Or maybe it was because there are so few games that it is really only worthwhile to a children's eye doctor...

...Or maybe it is because it is targeted mostly at kids and kids typically don't have a lot of spending power except around Xmas?

...or maybe it is the fact that you can get a brand new XboX 360 for $50 less or a PSPgo for $100 less? Yeah...I think that was the killer. Seems about right to me, the price was wayyyyy tooo much and the fact that you need to hold the unit in the 3D position at all times in order for it to work is a killer.

29.7.2011 00:08 #7

xaznboitx

I just thought of something. The dsi xl cost 169.99? Might as well get the 3ds right since it has more games and has more features?

I also think the wiiu would cost around 250.00

29.7.2011 01:19 #8

nonoitall

It sounds like early adopters who bought the 3DS before the price cut are going to be given some extra goodies:

http://www.nintendo.com/corp/nintendo3ds/news/

This makes me feel a little better. :-)

me on the Dragon Ball Encyclopedia
me on YouTube

29.7.2011 04:58 #9

buxtahuda

Originally posted by xaznboitx: I just thought of something. The dsi xl cost 169.99? Might as well get the 3ds right since it has more games and has more features?

I also think the wiiu would cost around 250.00 WiiU looks retarded... At first glance I was like "Cool, I guess. I wouldn't mind an interactive map or something being on a tablet screen for me..." Then I actually looked and read.

29.7.2011 10:42 #10

xaznboitx

Originally posted by buxtahuda: Originally posted by xaznboitx: I just thought of something. The dsi xl cost 169.99? Might as well get the 3ds right since it has more games and has more features?

I also think the wiiu would cost around 250.00 WiiU looks retarded... At first glance I was like "Cool, I guess. I wouldn't mind an interactive map or something being on a tablet screen for me..." Then I actually looked and read. Hehe, I really thought it can play movies but I read and it says it couldn't. I really that Nintendo finally would allow movies on disc to play on their console.

29.7.2011 22:52 #11

KillerBug

Originally posted by xaznboitx: Originally posted by buxtahuda: Originally posted by xaznboitx: I just thought of something. The dsi xl cost 169.99? Might as well get the 3ds right since it has more games and has more features?

I also think the wiiu would cost around 250.00 WiiU looks retarded... At first glance I was like "Cool, I guess. I wouldn't mind an interactive map or something being on a tablet screen for me..." Then I actually looked and read. Hehe, I really thought it can play movies but I read and it says it couldn't. I really that Nintendo finally would allow movies on disc to play on their console.

It is just pathetic...a bluray drive that can't even play a DVD!

I still don't think that the WiiU controller is a good controller for a home system, but I think that they might sell cheap...and if they do, then there will be some great hacks.

29.7.2011 23:22 #12

buxtahuda

Originally posted by KillerBug: Originally posted by xaznboitx: Originally posted by buxtahuda: Originally posted by xaznboitx: I just thought of something. The dsi xl cost 169.99? Might as well get the 3ds right since it has more games and has more features?

I also think the wiiu would cost around 250.00 WiiU looks retarded... At first glance I was like "Cool, I guess. I wouldn't mind an interactive map or something being on a tablet screen for me..." Then I actually looked and read. Hehe, I really thought it can play movies but I read and it says it couldn't. I really that Nintendo finally would allow movies on disc to play on their console.

It is just pathetic...a bluray drive that can't even play a DVD!

I still don't think that the WiiU controller is a good controller for a home system, but I think that they might sell cheap...and if they do, then there will be some great hacks. True. But it won't, system will be pretty high, at least starting out. They'll push the "HD" marketing scheme as far as they can since they've gone so many years knocking it. And that controller will not be cheap by any means; you'll still pay $80 today to buy a MotionPlus + Nunchuck from your usual retailer, and those things aren't exactly complicated or over-produced.

Really though, I just don't understand only allowing one per system. I get that it's just a mini-hub or whatever for all the motion controllers, but how is one little touch-screen controller going to help the gameplay experience of 4+ people?

All aside, yes, I can definitely see some super cool hacks coming about, but to what end I can't guess. But independent developing teams will surely unlock whatever potential the thing can have.

30.7.2011 08:12 #13

marcusj0015

and this price drop just proves what i originally thought.

that the 3DS is not worthy of my money. it's WAY to simular, it's too much of a DSI type upgrade.

30.7.2011 08:55 #14

AfterDawn: News