Nintendo Drops 3DS Price, Offers Free Games
Disappointing sales means a quick price drop to prepare for the holidays. Don’t tear up yet though, as Nintendo is planning to reward early adopters.
Today, Nintendo announced a significant price drop for their 3DS system; effective in August, the 3DS will now be sold for $169.99 in NA, 15,000 yen in Japan, and 160 EUR in Europe.
With the 3DS failing to meet expectations (both financially and gaming-wise), and with the Playstation Vita looming forward this holiday with a matching price point, this news is hardly surprising.It certainly stings for early adopters of the handheld who found themselves disappointed by the meager and mediocre launch lineup.
But don’t fret too much, because Nintendo is planning to reward early adopters with some free downloadable games…twenty, in fact. For everyone who got their system online before August 11th, they will be treated as “ambassadors” who will be given early (and free) access to several upcoming NES and GBA games for download. Yes, Gameboy Advance games on the 3DS, just like we all wanted! These aren’t some run-of-the-mill third party games either, but some of Nintendo’s most beloved classics, including The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros., Yoshi’s Island and Metroid Fusion, just to name a few.
Read the full press release, and total number of games, below:
NINTENDO 3DS PRICE DROPS TO $169.99, AS GREAT VALUE AND NEW 3D GAMES COME TOGETHER
Star Fox 64 3D, Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7 and Kid Icarus: Uprising Prep Nintendo 3DS for a Strong Holiday Season
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 3DS has the strongest software lineup of any video game system this holiday season and the new price now opens up the glasses-free 3D experience to many more consumers. Building on the popularity of The Legend of Zelda™: Ocarina of Time™ 3D, which launched June 19, the upcoming game calendar 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.
In addition to great games, Nintendo 3DS has a host of attractive features* that make it the must-have video game system this season:
The new Nintendo Video™ service automatically delivers short 3D videos from the worlds of music, comedy, animation and Hollywood.
A free application allows Netflix members with unlimited streaming plans to instantly watch TV episodes and movies streaming from Netflix.
The Nintendo eShop is a digital store for Nintendo 3DS owners that provides access to a wide variety of downloadable content, such as original 3D software, classic games that have been re-mastered in 3D called 3D Classics, Game Boy™ and Game Boy Color “Virtual Console” games in their original 2D glory, and more than 350 Nintendo DSiWare™ games. Visitors can also view video game trailers, screen shots and product information for games, including those available at retail locations.
Since Nintendo 3DS launched in the United States on March 27, more than 830,000 people in the U.S. alone have purchased one to enjoy 3D visuals without the need for special glasses. These Nintendo 3DS owners represent some of Nintendo’s most loyal customers, and Nintendo is rewarding them for getting in on the action early with 20 free downloadable games from the Nintendo eShop.
These 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:
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.
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.
Remember that Nintendo 3DS features parental controls that let adults manage the content their children can access. For more information about this and other features, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.
I love Nintendo ! I have a console made by all three of the companies and Nintendo deffonately treat customers the best. But will these games be avaliable for people in the UK which is where I live ? You don’t mention anything about the UK in the article so the information would be gladly received.
Wow. 20 games? That’s awesome! And they don’t plan on giving the GBA games to the general public at all? I feel special for supporting Nintendo! So much reason to love them
YES, YES!(M.Bison) Who cares about a price drop when you get 20 free games! And the one other GBA we SHOULD have been told, was none other than LoZ: Four Swords. And these aren’t going to be some rubbish games either! Good quality games = Mario and co. Yoshi’s Island!!! Just proves that Nintendo cares about ALL of it’s customers. Hmm… Sonic Advance might be a possibility. If not, I’m happy with all the First Party Nintendo games we’re getting. After all, it’s FREE!
wow…good and bad.
all them games are first party…no megaman or contra…
well atleast my 3ds was a bday gift from my daddy… i am way to young to care about contra… i am just wierd like that
first?
Nintendo has just saved their handheld …. in my opinion anyway.
What’s your opinion?
…. dammit
not first… being a gift is good because it didn’t pay the extra $
now we just Super NES…
I spend to much time playing old games…
what about the other 10 games what will they be but the game i want the most there is yoshi’s island it looks fun
They had to do it, it would have made people mad if they weren’t offering these free games! I was thinking when I first read this “What a kick in the face, I paid over £200 for mine, and now it’s so cheap!!” But Nintendo are rewarding those who bought early on
Thanks Nintendo!! 
Whoa! That’s a huge price drop! They took off nearly 1/3 of the price. I thought they’d prolly only take off $50 at most. Good thing we get free games! And they are altogether worth much more than $80. I love Nintendo! (and Sony too). Getting lots of free games lately XD
Damn i was about to slap myself for becoming an early adopter of the 3DS but now I’m happy about it. Metroid Fusion alone seals the deal for me =D.
On a side note does anyone know if there’s actually a way to confirm your on the ambassador program or not? Connected to the e-shop just now.
@Luke
I’d like to know this as well, being from the UK myself.
Hot Damn!! Im kind of dissapointed but what the heck, i bought mine with a 4 free games and now 20 Free GAMES!!!! really, after getting twice the frustration of adding funds through the e-shop so i can buy games and now their telling us that almost all of the good titles are free? This is awesome, but somehow, i wish there could be an announcement that all the 3DS that has been bought(NTSC) including other countries(im in UAE thats why).
Nintendo…I love you…I want to have your adopted babies
I also was kicking myself for being an early adopter, but 20 FREE games, including zelda, mario and metroid sounds awesome to me
Hoping its in the UK too @Luke and @Skawtz0rz
yes finally it makes getting the 3ds early after seeing all the offers for new 3ds owners that came out after (a day after i got mine).however like some others have said hopefully it is in the uk as well cause if not I’ll be sending an email of complaint to nintendo (that is if they haven’t blocked my email after sending them ideas for the 3ds lol)
sorry just an update on the UK Nintendo UK has the program mentioned on their website so for all us from the UK we’re getting it as well(nintendo uk ,3ds,news)
Nintendo I love you! my 3DS has been seeming pretty dull right now as I can’t afford another game but 20 games for free!
yes I get to relive my childhood and get 200 free club nintendo points man when i go to download these thats gonna be a long day (º )\____/( º)
There isn’t a source for the European/Japanese price cuts… Where did you get your figures from?
Wow. This article shifted my mood a full 180 degrees. I feel dizzy. lol
err… meant 360.
fffffffffffffuck
I feel real special now, I bought my 3DS in April 10th and began doubting it a tiny bit, but now i dont!!! This is truly awesome and makes it worth wasting 250 bucks.
HOORAYYYYYYY!!!!!!! THANK YOU NINTENDO FOR BEING SO DAMN GOOD TO US LOYAL CUSTOMERS IN THE US AND HERE IN THE UK!!!!!!
Thank you Nintendo! Finally giving us fans what we deserve!
Wait, so we get free stuff? How?
@Hunthe
Read the full article again.
sooo, when do we get our free games (i mainly just skimmed the srticle)
wow those are a lot of free games! good thing i bought it on launch!
I already love my 3DS but this gives me another reason to love my 3DS even more!!!
At least we get free games!!!!!!
Anyone else notice that the NES games are free but the GBA ones are simply exclusive? At least that’s what the wording suggests.
Ignore my last comment, I just reread the press release.
Free games? Ooooh yeah, baby!
I FEEELLLLLL SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHAPPY RITE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
omg awsommeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 20 games eh.. might need a new memory card lol
NINTENDO, WON.
Man! $70 price drop! Dang! I almost wish I hadn’t gotten my 3DS at launch…
nintendo is the best of the gaming companies!
Did anyone else notice where it says the nes games are free, and once the retail versions launch ambassadors can download the updated versions. What is the difference between the free version and the updated retail version?maybe 3d classics? I sure hope so=)
YES!!!
everyone answer this… is the 3DS kick ass now?
I feel bad for people who returned their 3DS!
@sharky
LOL!!!!!!!
Don’t forget Zelda: Four Swords for DSiWare, which makes 21 free games! -all
A 360 puts you back in the exact same direction. Try a 270.
Can’t wait…..gonna likely download all the free titles!
Is this for people that bought the 3DS only on march 27th?
No it’s for everyone who buys it before August 11.
@nintendo3DS
No, according to this article- “These 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….” And then they list the free games announced so far.
Hope they launch those NES games in 3D Classics… Balloon Fight and Ice Climbers deserves it
@nintendo 3ds
it for anyone who buys thier 3ds before 11th august
$80 price drop… are you sure those games are worth that much? Technically they’re worth about $1 each if you think about it. I’d much rather have the option to get a new 3DS game for free (which would be $40) than some old 2D ones…
Sweet! The only one I have played was metroid fusion, and that was a LONG time ago so I barely remember it. Hopefully they will anounce the other ones soon. Thank you Ninty!
Can’t wait till sept 1st
I just bought my 3ds about a month ago and now hearing about this….. yeah not too happy about it. And the free 20 games sound cool, but i’m probably not gonna like at least 5 of them, and another 10 of them I probably already have. I would honestly just much rather have them give me $80 and let me buy which eShop games I wanted, or even $80 of credit towards the eShop. 20 Free games sound cool, but not if you don’t get to pick them.
@dangit
If they would sell them each individually in the e-shop it would be around $3-6 each. So minimum it would be like 60.
GBa was a handheld SNES but had scratchy sound. Too bad us handheld gamers once again goona get ours ears raped with the aweful sound.
I got dis the day it came out. Hope I get these games cuz Nintendo still hasn’t given me my pin collection that I ordered on the first day available.
Boss. Amazing. Freaking EPIC! Thanks big N!
@katsy
Didn’t think about the club nintendo points
Although I think only the NES games will give points since those are being released to everyone. The GBA ones are just exclusive to the early adopters. Although I could be wrong.
I’m not complaining, I got to enjoy my 3DS several months longer, and get exclusive games, that these people can’t buy. And what’s past is past, so its not like I can or would change my decision
Ign just confirmed the “updates” when the NES titles go retail wll include additional features such as simultaneous mutiplayer but not 3d
I wuv u Nintendo! And I wuv u 3DS that i got on March 27th!
IM SO FLIPPIN EXCITED!!!
I feel awesome that I bought my 3DS now! I love yoshi`s Island and SMB! This is awesome!
i payed 270 euro which is 110 euro over which is probably over 150 dollars difference…i payed 270 for the 3ds alone i am shocked !!!!!!
$80 off?!?!! i got my 3ds for $230! but the 20 free games….. wow….. nintendo is smart!
i am glad to say that i am a part of this!
posted from my 230 dollar 3ds
I’m so sad that Nintendo didn’t get to sell much of their 3DS. What is wrong with people?
Well, here’s a punishment for them: they don’t get the free games!!! WE EARLY ADOPTERS GET TO HAVE ‘EM!!! OH YEAH!! Thank you Nintendo!
Show em some love <3
YES MY BIRTHDAYS IN AUGUST!!!!
I CAN FINALLY AFFORD IT!!!!
3DS isn’t subject to across the board pricing in the UK, so retailers are highly likely to keep individual prices unaltered until the usual December price war. I got mine early for £150, and so, especially with the (truly marvellous) 20 free eshop games, I’m very happy with Ninty right now. I hope the price drop and upcoming, hotly anticipated releases, such as Mario Kart ’7′, bring the popularity of the 3DS right up.
Poor Nintendo….so desperate to defeat the Playstation Vita that they’re resorting to tactical pricing measures.
@Mind-Freak
why complain man…frankly the vita is not that great…look at there last one… yuck
as for price man..look how the world is now people don’t have jobs so nintendo is smart to drop the price..as for playstaion heck…man there stupid look they got hacked by kids man there not that smart
me im not complaining..i got my 3ds for 80 dollars…thanks to gamestop…go gamestop and nintendo and keep up the good work nintendo
YEAH!!!! THIS is what I have been waiting for! COUNT ME IN Nintendo! 3DS here I come!
They had better include a Pokemon in that list! NINTENDO! STOP MAKING ME WAIT!
Come On! I paid $250 and so should everybody else
ok nintendo just won the holidays against sony 169 vs 299, and in account of that trade-ina dsi xl a week before and you only pay around 20-30$ for it.
ok i’m expecting a 3ds update on sept. 1st for that like when the wii did when the internet channel was free.
last thing what would you get a dsi xl or 3ds when the price-cut happens?
you dont get gameboy sales with ipad prices GBA/DS were sub 100 pound handhelds DSi/xl pushed there luck at there retail price…
with DS lite even DS i at sub 100 qidd people aint buying 3DS,it needed both games and a proper price this has happened and its a massive blow to psvita with ds and dsi still selling well 3DS can loose a few pennys its not going to matter a big push into christmas and beyond will end psvitas hopes…
I got my 3ds March 27th for 175$ I got it at Gamestop and traded my dsi. i am so happy about the 20 free games! yay nintendo!
do you get a notification that says you are a part of the ambassadors program because my dsi system has been acting weird lately and it is making me worry about my 3ds
There has to be price drops for the rest of the DS line then– The DSi XL is $169.99, correct? I predict the DSi XL will fall to $149, DSi to $129, and DS Lite to remain at $99, if not discontinued altogether.
I got my 3ds for £170 on the launch date (without pre-ordering), and the price drop will probably lower the cost to £140-150, meaning I wouldn’t have saved much anyway, so these 20 games are worth getting it early. I’m supprised noone has mentioned the Legend of Zelda; a link to the past which is set to be available for dsi users in september aswell, to celebrate LoZ 20th aniversery. I would also like to point out if you shop around you can save your self a lot of money.
@Mind-Freak
>implying Sony hasn’t used the same tactics
Fanboy, the PlayStation Vita’s price, as far as I know, was meant to compete with the 3DS’s price.
i bought the 3ds sometime in april.does this means that i can download such titles in august 11? and how long will this offer last? can somebody answer me this question?
I am so glad I passed up the 3ds when it came out.
(But 170 bucks is pretty tempting now)
As a Day 1 adopter I’m not phased at all by the price drop. Its a much earlier than I would have expected but it was always going to happen sometime. Personally there hasn’t been a single day since launch (literally not a single one) where I wasn’t enjoying my 3DS so getting it earlier than later has been of some value to me.
As long as you bought the 3DS and go on the eShop before the price drop takes action, you get the free games. And someone calculated that the games will be worth 120 bucks in total! (if NES games are 2 and GBA cost 4)
Thats only 7 GBA games, wheres Minish cap?? Gotta put the zelda on there… SO glad to see GBA games on there though!!
Well, it would be nice if they can just give us coupons for two 3DS games, $39.99 each, total of $79.98. I would donate that extra penny to Nintendo…
This is totally worth getting the $250 3DS even without the 20 exclusive ambassador games. I am going to be logging in to the eShop a Nixon ion times to make sure I get the 20 free games. Hang on Nintendo I’m rooting for ya.
ALRIGHT!
time for some GBA games again coming at me with all they got!
Can’t wait until September! or whenever the free games come out!
Clapton, Not sure what is available but I do have a “spigot” right outside my house so at least that part of the supply chain is already worked out.