3DS $198 in Canada this week. Official drop to $170 August 12th in US.

I knew there was no way Nintendo could make it to the holidays without dropping the price. What I didn't expect, however, was an $80 drop.

http://press.nintendo.com/articles.jsp?id=30048

REDMOND, Wash., July 28, 2011 – Nintendo of America today announced plans to drop the suggested retail price of its portable Nintendo 3DS™ system to $169.99 in the United States, as new games based on some of the world's most beloved video game franchises head to the system. The new price, down from the suggested launch price of $249.99 and effective Aug. 12, makes an outstanding value even better and sets up a strong holiday season for the system.

"For anyone who was on the fence about buying a Nintendo 3DS, this is a huge motivation to buy now," said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. "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."
Nintendo

Early adopters get 10 free NES games and 10 free GBA games, including Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong Jr., Balloon Fight, Ice Climber and The Legend of Zelda, Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Metroid Fusion, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ and Mario vs. Donkey Kong.

Maybe not $80 worth of games, but a much better selection that I expected after hearing '20 free VC games.'

Early Canada sale:

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=438549

No word on whether it's an official price drop yet or just a weekly sale (edit - I think we now know), but it would be kind of odd to see a $50 sale for one week and the flyer doeslabel it as a roll-back and nota sale. Then again, I'm not particularly familiar with how Walmart works, I don't really shop there.

Still, $200 for a 3DS is a much more palatable price than $250, and I'm kind of wishing I'd waited a month to get mine at this price.

edit - Future Shop and Best Buy are both matching (almost) by having the 3DS on for $199, starting NOW.

The 3DS is in need of saving and the only thing that will do that is a price cut

With the problems with Amazon flooding the media outlets I would expect to see a US drop some time in the future

Nintendo needs to keep the 3DS in a good light leading into the holidays

If there is a price drop, I may have to pick one up... but at the same time I feel like this means a remodel is coming soon, so I'll wait and see, and if nothing is shown at TGS (or Nintendo's showing if they have one), I'll pick one up.

Weekly sale. The system launched just 4 months ago, if price drops happened this frequent and that drastic, then Wii's would be free by now.Nozizaki

The 3DS is in need of saving and the only thing that will do that is a price cut

With the problems with Amazon flooding the media outlets I would expect to see a US drop some time in the future

Nintendo needs to keep the 3DS in a good light leading into the holidays

Jaysonguy

if their holiday season does not succeed then they are in serious trouble and should do a price cut, but not now that would mean they're unconfident in their product

This is a Walmart only promotion. $198.00 untilAugust 4th Not a sign of a general 3DS price drop. Which would likely happen when the PSvita launches. If at all.

Why are all these people here if they hate the 3DS so much lol.

Time to go to Canada, folks. :Pbbkkristian

The 3DS is in need of saving and the only thing that will do that is a price cut

With the problems with Amazon flooding the media outlets I would expect to see a US drop some time in the future

Nintendo needs to keep the 3DS in a good light leading into the holidays

Jaysonguy

This seems more like a sale then a permanent price cut.guitarist4292

[QUOTE="guitarist4292"]This seems more like a sale then a permanent price cut.DJ_Lae

Well, I'll be damned! Check this out!

That's a hefty cut in Japan... Granted, what just happened in Canada is still just a sale (as weird as it is, even so), but this is still far earlier and more drastic than I expected, although we still don't know the new price in NA and EU.

I stick by software being the real deciding factor, though... i mean, let's just say it comes down to $200, that still might not be worth it when arguably the most compelling title is a decade old game (a brilliant masterpiece of a game, but a decade old one that probably most gamers over 18 already own in at least one of its many incarnations nonetheless).

guitarist4292

$170 is insane. I guess Nintendo is really disappointed with current sales. And I admit I feel a bit cheesed losing $80 in a single month, as I can't get any price matching more than a month after buying my 3DS (I'm at 33 days now). It's not as if I've gotten eighty bucks of value so far, either.

I wonder what will happen to the DSi and DSi XL, as they're currently retailing around the same price. They must be getting a drop as well, unless Nintendo wants to confuse the market even more.

At this rate, I should be buying my 3DS lite at around $200 with a game included in a year or two!! Yay!ZumaJones07

See, at $170 the 3DS will do much better, especially come this holiday season. I already bought one. I'm not really upset--I'm more happy to hear about the free game deal.

Edit: Was letdown to hear that no snes games were hinted at. Not only that, but it seems we will be getting the GBA versions of Mario 1-3.

As I've said in System Wars, I'm probably a very strange man but I still plan on picking up a 3DS in a couple of weeks and I would be very happy with 10 free GBA games that are exclusive to early adopters. 10 free NES games are also a nice bonus but wow, I am loving how Nintendo is giving away free GBA games. Hopefully Minish Cap is one of them :PKenny789

20 free games! Nintendo you devil you... :D

I'll hold off untill they release a 3DS XL or a more desirable desing. But good news for the consumer.

I'll hold off untill they release a 3DS XL or a more desirable desing. But good news for the consumer.

emanc93

So you want a 3DS in netbook form?

I really like Ninty for at least giving freebies away for the early adopters. :P

Shows how much concern they have towards their consumers.

I was in future shop on saturday and a woman was trying to sell me the 3DS, i told her i was waiting for a price drop, she said it wont be dropped for several years. Cant wait to see her face when i pick one up for this crazy cheap price!

I was in future shop on saturday and a woman was trying to sell me the 3DS, i told her i was waiting for a price drop, she said it wont be dropped for several years. Cant wait to see her face when i pick one up for this crazy cheap price!

hyperjj3000

That's hilarious.

I knew there had to be an advantage to not buying any system at launch :P This is a very good day indeed~

This is why I love Nintendo :D

Did you buy the 3DS early? Have some FREE games, and not just 1 or 2 but 20. That's 2 0 :shock:

I saw this sale at walmart yesterday and could hardly believe my eyes. My plan was to buy one today but just now I checked Kotaku and saw that they are dropping the price to $170 in a couple weeks. I will be picking one up on Aug 12th. :D

Happy about 20 free games. Some of them like Metroid Fusion and Mario Vs Donkey Kong I never got around to playing. The 3DS should be in good shape now. I also imagine they will have to lower the price of the DSi as it will only be $20 cheaper than the 3DS.

Is there a total list of what games are available? Darn you Nintendo for no SNES, seriously. I've played Link to the Past too many times to remember but I want it on my 3DS as a security blanket.

Is there a total list of what games are available? Darn you Nintendo for no SNES, seriously. I've played Link to the Past too many times to remember but I want it on my 3DS as a security blanket.

Heirren

I've looked around and couldn't find a full list, even on Nintendo's official site, we just have to wait for now. Don't forget LttP came out on the GBA too so there is still a chance that it will come out on the 3DS :D

i actually think this price drop will be good for nintendo. i know a lot of people who wanted a 3ds but $250 price tag was holding them back. i think there will definitely be a boost in 3ds sales once the price drop occurs. i honestly do not know what nintendo was thinking when they priced 3ds at $250.

I'll hold off untill they release a 3DS XL or a more desirable desing. But good news for the consumer.

emanc93

[QUOTE="emanc93"]

I'll hold off untill they release a 3DS XL or a more desirable desing. But good news for the consumer.

helwa1988

its also nice to see ninty give early adopters the 20 games. sure one can argue that you paid for those but one could also argue that ninty dont have to give those who paid 250 squat. so its a nice gesture.osan0

Nintendo's offices must be flooded with 3DSes.

VC games are priced at $5 a piece, and if you assume GBA games are the same, then the games are worth more than the $80 difference. I'm not sure why people can't do that math. :P

VC games are priced at $5 a piece, and if you assume GBA games are the same, then the games are worth more than the $80 difference. I'm not sure why people can't do that math. :P

nintendofreak_2

Actually 3DS VC games differ. They start out at $2.99. However Link's Awakening is $5.99 and is a high profile GBC game so I would imagine they would have charged more for GBA games. So $5 for NES games and probably at least $8 for GBA games as they are similar to SNES games which are $8 on the Wii's VC.AlmightyDerek

Is it worth getting the 3DS now and get 20 free games or is it better to wait and get the price drop?

Is it worth getting the 3DS now and get 20 free games or is it better to wait and get the price drop?

JCoyne1031