We’ve been talking about the big issues surrounding the Nintendo 3DS a lot lately. From major releases being delayed to gathering dust, the 3DS is struggling to make its mark. Now Nintendo has slashed the Australian price from $349.95 to $249.95. Almost 30% cut from the price just months out from launch. For a company that is notorious for waiting until they absolutely have to before you ever see a price drop, this is a clear admission the 3DS really needs more buyers.
What does this mean for the future of the platform?
Andrew Burdusel
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 5:53 PMI’m told the US will get theirs cut to $170
Mic
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 5:55 PMIf it does then that pretty much guarantees I’ll import one.
Andrew Burdusel
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:01 PMYep, $169.99 to be specific.
You would have to import all the games as well. But Given the massive price discrepancy, you will be much better off just getting all your games on eBay.
marc
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 5:55 PMstill waiting on that vita.
a better software library>price drop.
DENAz
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 5:55 PMGot to trade this is soon before it loses more value
Frenchy
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 5:55 PMDesperate times, desperate measures eh?
I will still avoid the 3DS. I just can’t see myself using it haven’t owned a Nintendo handheld since the GameBoy Pocket, can’t say I’ve been tempted to own one since.
Interesting though, does this also mean a price drop for the DSiXL?
Intercept
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 5:56 PMI am not liking the way its going. I have one and the sad fact is the 3d sucks. I am scared to use it incase I end up with a brain tumor.
maelkann
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:12 PMI hope you are trolling about the brain tumour.
Shepard
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 5:56 PMIt means nintendo want to sell heaps before the ngp comes to kick it in the shins.
either that or they will bring out a more powerfull device, stuped if they do, even nintendo sheep will get sick of a new device every 6-12 months
n/a
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 11:05 PMNot so sure about that as their are sheep out there that buy apple products in that same period and it not hurting apples sales at all.
GamerLuke
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 5:57 PMThis is turning into a bit of a disaster.
Current owners are going to feel severely ripped off, and new owners still won’t have any good games to play.
Could this be the beginning of the end for one of gaming’s biggest companies?
ZePpLiNs
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:00 PMhttp://ds.mmgn.com/News/3DS-Australian-price-drop
Reason why I think Kotaku need to do more research…
ZePpLiNs
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 5:58 PMNo mention of the 20 FREE GAMES PEOPLE WHO BOUGHT IT BEFORE AUGUST 12 ARE GETTING!
Blaghman, patron saint of doing it wrong.
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 5:58 PMIt means I got ripped off. At least when Apple does this they have the decency to pretend to do something for everyone who bought at launch! This is an outrage!
Okay, not really. I don’t really care…
Mark Serrels
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:02 PMGamers who bought early get a package. I’m stuck in a taxi right now, but will update when I get home!
Blaghman, patron saint of doing it wrong.
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:12 PMWait, really? H-uh, that makes me happier, not that I really cared to begin with. Cheers Mark!
Sp4nKy
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:03 PMEveryone that i have talked to that has a ds is hanging off as of 2 reasons. 3d isnt worth it and hardly any games.
I have bought one as i never bothered about the ds. Now i have a backlog of ds games to play :) The only 3ds game i have bought is Zelda OOT 3D.
ShiggyNinty
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:03 PMI always hate bad Nintendo news :(
Jake
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:04 PMI feel like I’ve been ripped off with my 3DS. Screw you nintendo, I bought at launch. You treated me like crap by doing this. It’s only been a few months and it’s 30% cheaper.
It’s an insane price drop, and a huge “FUUK YOU” to everyone (like me) who bought on day one.
FatShady
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:04 PMI will always steer clear of Nintendo. I bought a wii and it collected dust.
I dont want to come across as a hater but it seems that they are amazing at innovation in hardware, but then support it with first party titles of the same franchises over and over.
Unless something amazing comes out, Im off these guys for good.
Ultimately im a gamer so if they come out with a great device with games to support it, im in! but It just looks like they focus a little too much on differentiating themselves from the market without considering how their customers will use the device after a couple of months.
Its a shame really because they have so much potential… and competition is always a good thing.
minusInfinite
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:11 PM… bugger I got one from my local GameTraders after trading my DSi just before AVCon feel a little jipped but the news of a compensation package sounds nice
AkyraStrike
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:17 PMThe price isn’t the problem, the lack of decent games is!
Matt
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:21 PMExciting. I bought one at launch, so I can’t wait to get my free VC games… AND it means I’ll be buying a second 3DS sooner than anticipated!
Yes, I was already considering buying a second.
n/a
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 11:09 PMYour not really getting free games as you payed for them with the huge price difference. If they refunded the difference then gave you the games then they would be free. But we all know thats not going to happen.
Powalen
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:23 PMI think this is just as reaction to the pricing of the Vita. Nintendo probably wants to shift as many units as they can before it’s released.
I got my 3DS on release for $288, so I’m not TOO unhappy. I would be a lot grumpier if they had announced a 3DS Lite instead. :/
That said, 20 free eShop games for those that bought early sounds like a pretty generous offer (considering that 10 of them are GBA games, which Nintendo hasn’t even confirmed they would be selling).
Not happy, but not angry.
NegativeZero
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:29 PMHave any enterprising folks figured out a way to work around the region lock yet?
Braaains
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:33 PMPS Vita is only a few months away, and with 3DS struggling already it wouldn’t have a chance against PSV at the same price. Nintendo are obviously trying to get some momentum going before the competition arrives, and given the lack of games at present that leaves price as the only real weapon available to them.
monkeyd_93
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:38 PMThis really doesn’t make a good impression on how the wii u will do, if i were nintendo i would stop the wii u all together and take it back to the drawing board. It’s better to work on something new and have the titles to support it, then rush it and have no support at all. Nintendo were the juggernaut in the console and handheld department not so long ago, but they need to refocus their target if they want to do just as great in the upcoming 5-10 year period.
N0NEoftheAB0VE
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:57 PMWelcome back to the show
(Potential Buyer)
coruja_fdp
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 7:06 PMWill buy the US one at $170 USD = $150 AU…
Please tell why we have such a large mark up?
N0NEoftheAB0VE
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 7:33 PMSh!t that’s a good point!
Dan Miller
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 7:10 PMJust give up with the handheld market.
kaiser
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 7:19 PMAnyone know the trade in value for the 3DS at EB or Game! Just asking if anyone has trade in their 3DS.
Sleeper
Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 7:26 PMHaha, Sony exposes the credit card details of thousands of customers, and they get 6 meh games.
We adopt a console early, and we get 20 brilliant games.
I have too much joy.