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.
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