Nintendo slashes around 40% from Japanese 3DS price

Update

Nintendo America and Europe have confirmed the relative price cuts in their territories, with both continents reducing the cost to retailers by around a third.

In the US, that cost will now be $169.99 as opposed to $249.99, whilst European retailers can expect a similar reduction.

"For anyone who was on the fence about buying a Nintendo 3DS, this is a huge motivation to buy now," NoA's Reggie Fils-Aime told press. "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 UK were less specific about price, but released the following statement to sister site Eurogamer.

"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.

"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 will receive some compensation following the cut, with an offer of twenty free download NES and GBA titles for the 3DS, as long as owners connect to the Nintendo e-shop before the changes on August 12.

Original story

Nintendo has announced a huge cut in the recommended price of the 3DS in Japan, slashing almost half the original ¥25,000 price to leave it at just ¥15,000 - roughly £118.

The price cut comes alongside the company's financial results for Q1, 2012, published this morning, which revealed a fairly static loss of ¥25.5 billion and halved sales revenues.

The 3DS sold just 710,000 units worldwide during the three months between April 1 and June 30, 2011.

In a brief release accompanying the announcement, Nintendo acknowledged the need to "build momentum" for the 3DS brand, adding that the cut was timed to coincide with the release of some big name games on the system, confirming that Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7 will be in shops in November and December respectively.

The adjustment will happen this quarter in the rest of the world, but the schedule will be "different in Japan", with the release also suggesting that the "range of the markdown" will also vary in Nintendo's home territory.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/article...by-almost-half