The 3DS is an amazing, but flawed piece of handheld wizardry. Beyond its mind-blowing (or chunks blowing, if you’re unfortunate) 3D visuals, it’s packed to the brim with some clever features (like Streetpass and Spotpass). Unfortunately, it also has a pretty absurd battery life and an entirely lackluster selection of games. The 3DS might be well on its way to becoming a bona-fide flop, So Nintendo’s doing something about it – by slashing its price by 40%.
As of next month, the 3DS will be sold for just 15,000 Yen (R 1 310), down from the 25,000 Yen (R 2 183) it currently retails for. That’s an enormous 40%! Nintendo says the mammoth price cut is so that the "will be able to create momentum for Nintendo 3DS and accelerate its market penetration toward the year-end sales season, when the line-up for the applicable software shall be enriched".
It also confirmed that the 3DS will receive price cuts in the US and European territories by August. We’ve contacted the local Nintendo distributor for comment and indication of local price cut, and will keep you up to date with any information we receive.
“Nintendo of Europe will be reducing the European trade price of Nintendo 3DS to retailers by around a third from 12th August 2011, as part of a global trade price reduction initiative,” Nintendo Europe said to Eurogamer.
“The ultimate price to consumers is, of course, determined by retailers, however we look forward to consumers benefiting from much lower retail prices very soon.”
Early adopters of the five month old handheld who paid full retail price have every reason to be pissed – and I hope Nintendo gives ‘em something as a gesture of goodwill.
[Update] Early adopters, if they’ve registered and shave igned in to the eShop, will get “”Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Metroid Fusion, WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$ and Mario vs. Donkey Kong” GBA games free as that gesture. Pretty good GBA games, but is it enough?Source : Eurogamer
Last Updated: July 28, 2011
