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Just passed four months since the 3DS’s release, Nintendo has announced a drastic price cut for its flagship portable. On August 12th $80 will be trimmed from the autostereoscopic device’s pricetag, allowing non-early adopters to take the 3D plunge for only $169.
Not forgetting those who have already invested in the handheld, Nintendo will be offering 20 free virtual console games from the 3DS’s eShop service in appreciation for their loyalty. The only prerequisite being that you’ve connected to their eShop service by now, or do so at least once before 11:59pm EST on August 11th.
Doing so rewards current 3DS owners 10 free Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) virtual console titles on September 1st before they’re released to the general public, and 10 Game Boy Advance virtual console titles -- not scheduled for public release -- before the end of 2011.
Engadget reports the sudden price reduction is motivated by the Big N’s resolve to sell 16 million units before the conclusion of the financial year, as well being an indication of mounting pressure over the impending release of the PlayStation Vita.
Since its release, sales for the 3D-glasses-free console have been sluggish in comparison to its predecessors the Nintendo DS and DSi.
Is the 3DS doomed to be the next Virtual Boy? Has Nintendo lost its edge? Or will this price reduction, coupled with a stacked holiday of first-party titles like Super Mario 3D Land, Mario Kart 7, and Kid Icarus: Uprising, be enough to send consumers flocking back to Nintendo’s handheld corner?
