Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program -- 20 Free Games

That's right, if you were one of the early adopters of the Nintendo 3DS, you'll be able to get 20 free games from Nintendo. We all know that the Nintendo 3DS sales haven't been that great and a price drop was sure to come. I personally was expecting a price drop next year because the Nintendo system sales rise during the holidays. Please note that not everyone is going to be able to elidgable for this program. So many of you will be out of luck. On the other hand, the early 3DS will be able to dowload for some great games (for free) that's sure to make many of you weep with envy.

Nintendo's new price point will be $169.99 instead of the $249.99

$250 - $170= $80 (without tax)

Just to get it out of the way, the following games (thus far) will be able to download these games before they become avaiable to the general public:

NINTENDO ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM

Super Mario Bros.™, Donkey Kong Jr.™, Balloon Fight™, Ice Climber™ and The Legend of Zelda™

GAME BOY ADVANCE

Yoshi's Island™: Super Mario™ Advance 3, Mario Kart™: Super Circuit, Metroid™ Fusion, WarioWare™, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ and Mario vs. Donkey Kong™.

What is required of the early Adoptee's are as followed:

*** The program starts September 1
*** You must connect your Nintendo 3DS ((at least ONCE)) to be a part of the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program but once you do, you good
*** You must do this before 11:59 (PM) September 11 eastern time

I'm assuming that if you decide to buy the Nintendo 3DS before the 11th and connect your Nintendo 3DS to the eShop that you'll be eligible as well but it would probably be more wise just to wait since we don't know how each game will be individually priced or the simple fact that these downloadable VC games more then likely won't equal the $80 difference. But if they do equal more *$80 worth, I for one will not be the one complaining.

If updated, I will update this accordingly.

He's what Nintendo had to say.

An exciting message for people who own a Nintendo 3DS and those who want to:

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. The new price takes effect Aug. 12 and makes an outstanding value even better.

Building on the popularity of The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time™ 3D, which launched June 19, the upcoming game calendar for Nintendo 3DS is a Who's Who of iconic video game franchises. Star Fox 64™ 3D arrives on Sept. 9, followed by Super Mario™ 3D Land in November, Mario Kart™ 7 in December and Kid Icarus™: Uprising during the holiday season.

And don't forget that Nintendo 3DS has a bunch of fun features, including Nintendo Video™, the Nintendo eShop and access to Netflix, that make it a must-have video game system.

But what about the 830,000 of you who already own a Nintendo 3DS? You're some of Nintendo's most loyal customers, and we're rewarding you for getting in on the action early with not one, not 10, but 20 free downloadable games from the Nintendo eShop! Here's how it works:

The 20 free games are available to anyone who owns a Nintendo 3DS system and uses a wireless broadband Internet signal to connect to the Nintendo eShop at least once before 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Aug. 11. These users will automatically be registered in the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador program. The program contains two elements:

1. Starting Sept. 1, Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors will be able to download 10 NES™ Virtual Console™ games at no charge and before they are available in the Nintendo eShop to the general public. These games, including Super Mario Bros.™, Donkey Kong Jr.™, Balloon Fight™, Ice Climber™ and The Legend of Zelda™, are slated to become paid downloadable games, but Ambassadors get them early for free. Once the paid versions of the games are posted to the Nintendo eShop later in the year, the updated versions will be available to Ambassadors for download at no cost.

2. By the end of 2011, Nintendo will provide Ambassadors with 10 Game Boy Advance Virtual Console games. These include games like Yoshi's Island™: Super Mario™ Advance 3, Mario Kart™: Super Circuit, Metroid™ Fusion, WarioWare™, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ and Mario vs. Donkey Kong™. These games will be available exclusively to Ambassadors, and Nintendo currently has no plans to make these 10 games available to the general public on the Nintendo 3DS in the future.

More details about this program will be announced in the future.

It's a great time to own a Nintendo 3DS!

--Your Friends at Nintendo of America

Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program **UPDATE**

It would seem that some of these games will be getting some kind of upgrade of some fashion. IGN states that it be multiplayer so my guess would that it would be 3DS to 3DS local wireless play. Which considering that Nintendo and 3rd party publishers for the most part make a few cosmetic changes (eg. removal of product brands- Wave Racer 64) simply through in a rom in the oven and call it day. Though I doubt that we'll have to worry about things like that with these releases. This is nothworthy.

This News from IGN.

In its announcement of the "Nintendo 3DS Ambassador" program, Nintendo revealed that NES and GBA games would be coming to the 3DS eShop. Additionally, Nintendo hinted that the NES games would be upgraded in some fashion when they were fully available for sale in the eShop.

"Once the paid versions of the games are posted to the Nintendo eShop later in the year, the updated versions will be available to Ambassadors for download at no cost," reads Nintendo's press release.

I fired over some questions to Nintendo, as the press release hardly covered all of the key questions such a program raised.

When I asked for a full list of the program's NES and GBA games, as well as if there would actually be more than 20 to choose from, Nintendo simply said it would announce more details in the future.

While not knowing the full roster, I wondered what an "upgraded" NES title would feature. Were these titles becoming 3D c lassics? Not quite. "These will be 2D games. They are not 3D ****cs. When the NES games become available to the general public later this year, they will include additional features such as multiplayer simultaneous play. Ambassadors will then be able to download those updated version at no cost," a Nintendo spokesperson told me.

It's easy to get excited about the presence of NES and GBA titles on the 3DS, but Nintendo was quick to shut down my inquiry about whether the NES and GBA libraries could be considered eligible for routine eShop updates. "Beyond this offer, we have nothing more to announce at this time, although the press release does indicate that the NES games will eventually be available for sale to the public," Nintendo said.

Nintendo made sure to specify a deadline for becoming an ambassador - just before the price of the 3DS lowers - but would the free games only be available for a limited time? Would the program end? Nintendo wouldn't comment for the time being.

Lastly, I wanted to know if the price drop of the 3DS would affect Nintendo's pricing of the DS Lite ($99.99), DSi ($149.99) or DSi XL ($169.99). Nintendo said "No."

Anyone who paid $250 for their 3DS has already paid the $80 to get these "free" games. The only difference is that the people who now buy a 3DS for $170 have a choice on which games they want and which games they don't want.GAMESHARQ

Anyone who paid $250 for their 3DS has already paid the $80 to get these "free" games. The only difference is that the people who now buy a 3DS for $170 have a choice on which games they want and which games they don't want.GAMESHARQ

Anyone who paid $250 for their 3DS has already paid the $80 to get these "free" games. The only difference is that the people who now buy a 3DS for $170 have a choice on which games they want and which games they don't want.GAMESHARQ

I didn't pay for my 3DS so I will in fact be getting 20 free games :P and right now Nintendo don't plan on releasing these GBA games to the public, so we who did get the 3DS early will have games that the people who get it later wont have.

Well I got mine for around $200 so it's not that big of a loss but still I'm surprised Nintendo is doing such a large price drop only months after the release. They must be terrified, that or they were planning it all along.

Still, I'm not going to complain about getting some free games

thats cool. so if i get a used 3DS before the price drop i can get the 20 free games?

thats cool. so if i get a used 3DS before the price drop i can get the 20 free games?Devouring_One

[QUOTE="Devouring_One"]thats cool. so if i get a used 3DS before the price drop i can get the 20 free games?BrunoBRS

It's still some sort of compensation to early adopters. Whether it's technically 'free' or not, it's content you're getting that others might not get anyway and you're not paying anything upfront. Either way, it's a nice gesture from Nintendo and they certainly didn't have to do it.

I would call that free, Im not paying for the games, I paid the full price for the system, and I don't see it as a loss of $80 because I got to enjoy the system for several months before the price drop was announced. These are games that I probably wouldn't have downloaded before, but definitly will now

The only one I want is Metroid Fusion.... It's sad to think they might not release the game on the e-shop ever for non-early adopters. However, the good news is the price will be down to $169.99 which I can really dig.Minishdriveby

I can't remember which article I read it in, but I remember reading that some of the games are only available as the free ones for early adopters and that they won't be up for purchase later on, I can't say this as fact though because I can't remember where I saw it

[QUOTE="GAMESHARQ"]Anyone who paid $250 for their 3DS has already paid the $80 to get these "free" games. The only difference is that the people who now buy a 3DS for $170 have a choice on which games they want and which games they don't want.KnightSkull

I didn't pay for my 3DS so I will in fact be getting 20 free games :P and right now Nintendo don't plan on releasing these GBA games to the public, so we who did get the 3DS early will have games that the people who get it later wont have.

if anyone's interested, I also decided to include my 3DS number too

Nintendo 3DS:
1633-4197-6934

well, im guessing having purchased a few items from the eshop already sets me as eligible for the program. i hope they do something that confirms if we're good to go or not. i'd hate it if a glitch makes some people who did access the shop ineligible

I can't remember which article I read it in, but I remember reading that some of the games are only available as the free ones for early adopters and that they won't be up for purchase later on, I can't say this as fact though because I can't remember where I saw it

vtbob88

The only games that will be released ot the general public are the NES games. The article stated that the GBA games will not be released to the general public.

Nintendo really didn't have to do anything for the early adopters -- but I'm glad they decided to anyway.Haziqonfire

How do you know there will be no manual support, and that they won't be finished versions? I don't remember seeing that bit of information in any article. And I also feel like they didn't have to do anything, its not like the psn outage where I was missing out on even playing many games. I was already able to play the games I wanted before the price drop, now I'm just getting more games that I probably wouldn't have bought without this program

That's a pretty hefty cut, and a pretty nice gesture to early adopters. I'll be waiting to pick up a cheaper 3DS as none of the GBA games really interest me, and I already own the ones that do. :P

Oh, I think they did. We're not even five months into the system's lifespan - make a 33% price drop and you're going to seriously piss off people who bought one early, especially with the lineup of games being pretty weak so far. I know the only reason I bought one last month was for Ocarina of Time and because of the fall's games...and because I didn't expect a price drop until Christmas at the earliest. If there was no deal like this I would be far more annoyed than I am. You can tell Nintendo cobbled together this ambassador deal at the last minute, too - the NES releases are going to be beta versions with no manual or other support, and upgraded as the full versions are released to the general public. And the GBA games don't even have a release date yet.DJ_Lae

To make it more clear, I was saying Nintendo could have easily just done nothing - but I'm glad they did offer 20 free games. It was also a comment more towards the people complaining about the list of games too.

How do you know there will be no manual support, and that they won't be finished versions? I don't remember seeing that bit of information in any article.

vtbob88

duckroll on GAF translated from the Japanese release:

- Nintendo is confirming that they will sell NES VC games on the eShop for 3DS. But they will not be released on Sept 1st.

- Instead, on Sept 1st they will be pushing out "early bird editions" of the free NES games for those who bought and registered their systems before the price drop. Only these systems will be able to download and play these NES games at that time.

- These versions sound like beta emulated versions. There will be no digital manuals included, and while you can switch the controls from player 1 to player 2 for certain games which allow for such play, there will be no cross system multiplayer supported at all.

- Eventually at a later date, complete versions will be released for actual sale on the eShop. When this happens, those with the "early bird editions" will be able to update to the full versions for free.

- For the GBA VC games, it gets even weirder. While there is no release date for those other than within 2011, Nintendo is outright saying that they currently have NO plans to ever sell such games on the eShop. This is something specially for early adopters as a reward, and are considered "not for sale" releases.duckroll

There's also a clue in the North American release:

Beginning Sept. 1st, Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors will be able to download 10 NES™ Virtual Console™ games at no charge and before they are available in Nintendo eShop for the general public. These games, including Super Mario Bros.™, Donkey Kong Jr.™, Balloon Fight™, Ice Climber™ and The Legend of Zelda™, will be released as paid downloadable games, but Ambassadors can download them in advance of launch for free. Once the paid versions of the games are released in Nintendo eShop later in the year, the updated versions will be available to Ambassadors for download at no cost.
Nintendo

And I still think they needed to compensate people something. Even Apple did it when they dropped the price of the original iPhone relatively early on- though in their case they actually refunded early adopters the price difference.

To make it more clear, I was saying Nintendo could have easily just done nothing - but I'm glad they did offer 20 free games. It was also a comment more towards the people complaining about the list of games too.

Haziqonfire

Ah, fair enough.

I actually think the list of games is pretty solid, all told.

edit - though I think the reason we haven't seen a full list of the 20 games is that even Nintendo hasn't decided yet. I would put money on the whole deal being a really last minute thing.

actually you have to connect before AUGUST 11, since the price drop is on the 12th :P and the ones you listed are only the confirmed ones, if you count them they only make half the promised number. i think it's a nice part on nintendo to throw free games at the moro-- early adopters to hold the backlash AND it makes yet another effort to put as many 3DSs online, while the newcomers will get a cheaper system. it's win-win IMO.BrunoBRS

I was stoked when I first heard about this, I don't really care about the price drop, I was someone willing to pay $250 for the 3DS and so I did. I thought the 3DS would be worth getting so I got it. However I don't know if we should really support the free games. Don't get me wrong, I'm going to download all of them, but is this something we should support? Most of us are currently telling Nintendo that, "We are fine with you doing ridiculous price drops, as long as you give us free stuff." I don't know if that's a message we want to convey.

Don't get me wrong, I'm going to download all of them, but is this something we should support? Most of us are currently telling Nintendo that, "We are fine with you doing ridiculous price drops, as long as you give us free stuff." I don't know if that's a message we want to convey.

Silos911

[QUOTE="Silos911"]

Don't get me wrong, I'm going to download all of them, but is this something we should support? Most of us are currently telling Nintendo that, "We are fine with you doing ridiculous price drops, as long as you give us free stuff." I don't know if that's a message we want to convey.

DJ_Lae

[QUOTE="BrunoBRS"][QUOTE="Devouring_One"]thats cool. so if i get a used 3DS before the price drop i can get the 20 free games?Haziqonfire

It's still some sort of compensation to early adopters. Whether it's technically 'free' or not, it's content you're getting that others might not get anyway and you're not paying anything upfront. Either way, it's a nice gesture from Nintendo and they certainly didn't have to do it.

It is free, things drop in price, you cant expect things you bought to stay the same price forever. If someone bought a PS3 at launch and I bought one last week, are they suppose to get $300 worth of games to make up for it? Whats the difference if it happened 4 months later or 14 months later, at the end of the day, people are still paying less than what you paid. They didn't have to do anything, I bought the Wii at launch and I damn sure didn't get anything when the price dropped. I would say giving people free games is a cIassy move, even if only to avoid rage. Certainly puts Sony behind the 8 ball and you have to wonder what kind of profit they were making on these things for such a dramatic price drop.

Sepewrath

That's a good point too. I personally don't really care because whether it was $249 or $169 I would have bought it anyway, I wanted the games they showed off at E3 2010 and E3 2011 - so I'm not really angry.

And like you said, offering 20 free games for download was a classy move.

[QUOTE="Haziqonfire"]

[QUOTE="BrunoBRS"] if you call that "free"...Sepewrath

It's still some sort of compensation to early adopters. Whether it's technically 'free' or not, it's content you're getting that others might not get anyway and you're not paying anything upfront. Either way, it's a nice gesture from Nintendo and they certainly didn't have to do it.

To add, by dropping the price, they are basically admitting that the 3DS was never worth $250 and not worth any more than $170.

[QUOTE="BrunoBRS"][QUOTE="Devouring_One"]thats cool. so if i get a used 3DS before the price drop i can get the 20 free games?Haziqonfire

It's still some sort of compensation to early adopters. Whether it's technically 'free' or not, it's content you're getting that others might not get anyway and you're not paying anything upfront. Either way, it's a nice gesture from Nintendo and they certainly didn't have to do it.

I think people are missing the point with these 'free' games. They're not free as in its some kind of prize. It's compensation for having to pay more than most will. That's all it is. Whether or not you're happy with your compensation is another matter. This issue about whether or not is truly free is pointless, because its not meant to be. It's meant to make up the price deficit, that's all.

On that note, however, these 20 games will be near enough free for me. I paid £200 for my 3DS at launch. That came with Pilotwings, so you could argue that the console cost me £170. On top of that, the UK price drop is meant to bring the price down around the £150 - £155 mark, apparently, and so i'll have paid £15 - £20 for the 20 games. That's no more than £1 each. Not quite free, but a bargain none the less.

There is a difference between free and compensation.

Getting something for free means you don't have to do anything to get it. People had to buy the 3DS before the price cut in order to get the 20 games Nintendo is offering, which makes them compensation, not free.

Getting something for compensation means that you got it as an equivalent for loss.

I want Minish Cap, Nintendo!! bbkkristian

Me too, I lost my copy. :(

That's not a very fair comparison. The PS3 has been out for a long time. The 3DS just came out 4 months ago. The only reason why they dropped the price is because A) Their sales are failing, B) Their overall profits are much lower than anticipated, and C) The Vita price matched them. If not for these 3 reasons, they wouldn't have done a price drop at this time.

To add, by dropping the price, they are basically admitting that the 3DS was never worth $250 and not worth any more than $170.

GAMESHARQ

There is a difference between free and compensation.

Getting something for free means you don't have to do anything to get it. People had to buy the 3DS before the price cut in order to get the 20 games Nintendo is offering, which makes them compensation, not free.

Getting something for compensation means that you got it as an equivalent for loss.

GAMESHARQ

they say those GBA games will not be available unless you buy 3ds early...

"not for the general public" is what nintendo says.

I got my 3DS early knowing that I could play my old DS games on it. Since my DS system has the broken hinge. Knowing the "free" games are coming is a nice bonus to my eyes.

Actually these high prices for the newer systems isn't worth it anymore, they milk the consumer as much as possible & eventually come down when they feel they made enough or they're moving on to the next big thing.

[QUOTE="GAMESHARQ"]

There is a difference between free and compensation.

Getting something for free means you don't have to do anything to get it. People had to buy the 3DS before the price cut in order to get the 20 games Nintendo is offering, which makes them compensation, not free.

Getting something for compensation means that you got it as an equivalent for loss.

KBFloYd

they say those GBA games will not be available unless you buy 3ds early...

"not for the general public" is what nintendo says.

That's just one example of compensation.

Here is the definition of compensation from dictionary.com: "something given or received as an equivalent for services, debt, loss, injury, suffering, lack, etc.; indemnity: The insurance company paid him $2000 as compensation for the loss of his car. "

In the case of the 3DS, 20 games is being given as compensation because the early buyers were given the same product that later buyers are getting at a fraction of the price.

In response to your example about the free ice cream, of course that's free because you didn't have to pay anything to get it. Even in the example of buy one, get one free, you only had to pay for the first ice cream cone. The 2nd one was free.