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Nintendo Slashes 3DS Price to $169.99, Early Adopters Get Free Games

The house that Mario built seems to have taken disappointing hardware sales to heart.

3DS has not lit the world on fire in the same way DS did. You can blame your smartphone for that. When DS launched, devices like the iPhone did not exist. Decent video games were not available for your mobile phone!

That's all changed, and Nintendo's glasses-free 3D gimmick hasn't been enough to sway customers to drop $249.99 for its new handheld.

Maybe they'll pay $169.99, though, which is the new retail price of 3DS, effective August 12.

Nintendo also confirmed release months for Super Mario 3D Land (November) and Mario Kart 7 (December). Wait, Mario Kart...7? Really? I wouldn't be surprised if that one changed before release.

If you (like me) already bought a 3DS and are cringing, Nintendo's hoping to appease early adopters with the "3DS Ambassador" program, which roughly translated into English means "free stuff."

First, you'll gain access to 10 free Virtual Console games from the NES era, including Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong Jr., Balloon Fight, Ice Climber and The Legend of Zelda. The others five aren't known, and all ten will become publicly available for purchase at a later date.

Additionally, Nintendo's offering up another 10 free Game Boy Advance titles. The games include Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Metroid Fusion, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ and Mario vs. Donkey Kong. The other five weren't listed, but that's a hell of a list already.

Strangely, Nintendo claims these free GBA titles won't be made available to everyone else.

"Nintendo currently has no plans to make these 10 games available to the general public on the Nintendo 3DS in the future," reads the press release.

More details about the program are to be announced, but Nintendo's only requirement is that players connect to the eShop before 11:59 p.m. EST on August 11. Before the price drop, basically.

Sony can't be very happy about this aggressive move. Many did not expect the company to hit a $249.99 price point for Vita.

dudy80on July 28, 2011 at 2:01 a.m.

Gonna get one this year then, thats cheap!

Edit: Also yay for me getting that stupid quest people kill themselves over without trying or without being a moron!

Jonathanon July 28, 2011 at 2:01 a.m.
Awesome! Really glad they aren't simply ignoring us early adopters.
Sanjon July 28, 2011 at 2:01 a.m.

$149? I've been hearing $169 from other sites.

Armor42on July 28, 2011 at 2:02 a.m.
Don't you mean $169?
Redbullet685on July 28, 2011 at 2:02 a.m.
@Sanj said:

$149? I've been hearing $169 from other sites.

Same.
Patrick, you wrong.
patrickklepek staff on July 28, 2011 at 2:02 a.m.

Yeah, my bad. What I get for writing this at 2AM after playing Catherine for an hour.

MrZealon July 28, 2011 at 2:03 a.m.
It seems it didn't work quite well for them... well, I'll check the 3DS August 12 then... xD
CoinMatzeon July 28, 2011 at 2:03 a.m.

Ack! I actually read that instead of just posting something stupid fast. What is wrong with me. :( Yeah, yeah, that's a tempting price. I still need Layton vs. Phoenix Wright before I buy one.

scarace360on July 28, 2011 at 2:03 a.m.
ok im gonna buy one when they drop the price.
skinnyluigion July 28, 2011 at 2:03 a.m.
late night post by patrick klepeck. does he have his brain hooked up to game news or what
Shaanyboion July 28, 2011 at 2:04 a.m.

NOT BAD. 20 free VC games seems like compensation enough for being an early adopter, sure!

patrickklepek staff on July 28, 2011 at 2:04 a.m.

@skinnyluigi said:

late night post by patrick klepeck. does he have his brain hooked up to game news or what

What do you think the curls are for?

dudy80on July 28, 2011 at 2:05 a.m.

Hmm... well 170 still isn't bad, think i will get one this winter.

piropeople13on July 28, 2011 at 2:05 a.m.
Now little kids can afford it with a few months of allowance and it falls into the range of christmas/birthday gift prices.  And little kids don't have their own smartphones because of data plans.
Redbullet685on July 28, 2011 at 2:06 a.m.
@patrickklepek said:

Yeah, my bad. What I get for writing this at 2AM after playing Catherine for an hour.

Catherine (Or Katherine) has got your mind all jumbled up.
lclayon July 28, 2011 at 2:06 a.m.
Hurray free stuff!
Asurastrike is online on July 28, 2011 at 2:06 a.m.

@scarace360 said:

FUCK YA IM GOING OUT TOMORROW TO BUY ONE!

lol, did you read the article? Or am I being trolled?

Redbullet685on July 28, 2011 at 2:07 a.m.
@Asurastrike said:

@scarace360 said:

FUCK YA IM GOING OUT TOMORROW TO BUY ONE!

lol, did you read the article? Or am I being trolled?

Maybe he wants the free games?
scarace360on July 28, 2011 at 2:07 a.m.
@Asurastrike said:

@scarace360 said:

FUCK YA IM GOING OUT TOMORROW TO BUY ONE!

lol, did you read the article? Or am I being trolled?

never read always post!
Otreboron July 28, 2011 at 2:07 a.m.

@scarace360: The price drop occurs on August 12

Dig Deeper into Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS a portable game console produced by Nintendo.The handheld features 3D projection technology that doesn't require glasses. It was released in Japan on February 26, 2011 and in North America on March 27, 2011.

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