Since it launched in North America on March 27, the Nintendo 3DS has sold upwards of 830,000 units here. It's not a small number, but no one's going to argue that the release has been a blockbuster success. Blame the lack of quality launch titles and the high $250 price tag, two issues Nintendo intends to correct before the holiday season descend.
The company announced in a press release that, starting August 12, the price of a 3DS will be reduced down to $170. That's a whopping $80 off the original price, and less than six months after the hardware officially launched. With Sony's PlayStation Vita probably arriving this fall carrying its own $250 price, most will agree that the Nintendo price cut was necessary in order to keep the less powerful 3DS competitive.
Unfortunately, that still leaves 830,000 North Americans out an additional $80, just for supporting the new device and buying it early. Nintendo has a plan for them too. Anyone who owns a 3DS and accesses the 3DS eShop prior to August 11 at 11:59pm ET -- you just need to sign on and get to the main page, according to the press release -- will automatically be registered as a member of the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program.
The Ambassador Program is basically all about giving you free games, in two announced phases. The first begins on September 1, when 3DS Ambassadors will be given free download rights to 10 soon-to-be-released NES Virtual Console games, including Super Mario Bros, Donkey Kong Jr, Balloon Fight, Ice Climber and The Legend of Zelda. The games won't be available to the general public until later in the year, but Ambassadors will be able to get them starting September 1.
Phase two is set to unfurl "by the end of 2011," with Ambassadors receiving free download access to 10 Game Boy Advance Virtual Console titles, including Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Metroid Fusion, WarioWare Inc.: Mega Microgame$ and Mario Vs. Donkey Kong. Unlike the NES VC releases, "Nintendo has no plans" to sell these to the general public through the device's digital store, according to the press release.
Source: Nintendo
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Spybreak
Nintendo launched the thing too soon and it backfired on them. Reduce the game's prices, don't launch at 40 bucks if its not enough there, and I might consider it. My DS Lite's hinge just broke.
josethetiger
Its nice to see Nintendo admit a huge mistake. $250 was way too much for a 3d dual screen psp. Wil buy one now. Still getting 3 PS Vitas though. 3DS had no affect on my opinion on the Sony handheld. $250 is more than fair for a portable PS3...
Aaron82
Well, I feel less shat upon.
I still plan on getting a PS Vita.
Love the specs and the PlayStation Suite.
TromboneFanatic
Want my purchasing dollar? Get rid of the 3D mechanism (I physically can't see 3D) and drop the price of the games down to $30.
NocturnalX
I was pegging for a $200 dollar price point at launch and decided not to buy it when the price point was announced as @ $250. This is better than my launch point expectation, thus, I am buying it.
I feel bad for Sony. There is no way they can match the 3DS price point, and I highly doubt they will be able to achieve the mass market appeal of a Nintendo DS line handheld.
skiteman
might just get one.
Blue_Vortex
Lol I knew this would happen after hearing the Vita Price at E3, can't wait for my free games :)
jjfan1
I can see Nintendo offering these free games at a later date but it would be much later. Its nice that they are offering something for the major price drop.
MacPhisto
Desperation smells pretty bad coming from Nintendo. Dropping the price so much only 4 months after launch, only to insult early adopters by offering them ancient games as compensation? What a slap in the face! Maybe if they actually released some good original games for the system instead of the endless parade of retread remakes, the sales wouldn't be so lackluster to force a sad business move like this. Unless they start coming up with a solid lineup of blockbuster original titles by this holiday season, the PSVita is going to crush the 3DS in sales when it launches.
Stellerman7
To be honest, getting twenty free games sort of makes up for the $80 extra bucks I've lost, although to be honest had I known it was gonna turn out like this I would have just waited untill the price dropped.
DPsx72
Dammit! It's the Sony Welcome Back program all over again. Tons of great things for free but I have EVERYTHING already. I really wish these programs would include one or two original games or newer titles, anything that I didn't buy and complete years ago.
critterforhire
Further polishing a turd, eh nintendo?
InnerRise
I'm laughing orgasms.
1. Nintendo, the new Sony, gets humbled.
2. PSVita lose its only foothold. Wasn't strong to begin with. Bye Sony. Dying before our very eyes.
3. Microsoft. Watch your competition destroy themselves with futile arrogance.
fightingbias
Thanks for the refreshingly objective tone when reporting on Nintendo, Adam. Not enough of that goes on here.
xRaymond9250
this is quite nice! now give us that red 3DS pictured!!!
theantigzus
still buying a vita first, then ill get a 3DS for mario kart perfect game for waiting 3hrs in Disneylines :D
Korzo
It's nice to see that Nintendo is doing something for die hard fans instead of just telling us we're SOL
dylanpire
I like that they're dropping the price to something more reasonable...but I don't like that the GBA games are probably not going to be available for other people to pay for....why lose money on that? If I get one, I'd love to be able to load up a GBA on there without needing a flash cart or emulator card, etc.
MetalGod227
dang, bought it at launch and had to have it stolen.... I'm glad there's going to be a price drop, that means I can actually afford to re-buy the thing, but now because someone walked off with something that wasn't theirs I won't be able to get in on this ambassador program... Oh well, the price drop itself is more than reason enough for me to purchase another one. Well done Nintendo, hopefully this is the start of a number of good moves on your part.
Completist
Nice. I was going to hold out until Metal Gear Solid 3DS got a release date but now this gives me some incentive to pick it up earlier. GIMMEGIMMEGIMME!!!!!
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