Nintendo lowers price of 3DS in Japan by 40%, offers free games to early adopters

Not even a year into the Nintendo 3DS’ lifespan, Nintendo of Japan’s dropping the price by 10,000 ¥. That’s a 40% decrease. Ouch.

This may be as a result of a lower-than-expected adoption of the system, and Nintendo is attempting to spur more sales. Really, their financials…aren’t looking as good. Hardware sales have dropped like an anvil. No one’s buying Wiis anymore (we all have them already), people aren’t buying new DSes now that the 3DS is out, and the 3DS just doesn’t have enough titles to encourage a purchase right now.

Of course, if you already have a 3DS and are regretting that purchase a bit, they’re going to try to make it up to you. Up until the price drop, early adopters can download 20 pre-determined free titles for the Virtual Console, including older Zelda and Mario titles. So, I guess there’ll be no more complaints about having nothing to play, but uh, that’s all old stuff, so I would understand if you keep complaining.

The new 15,000 ¥ price starts August 11. This program is also extending to the U.S., where the new price will be $169.99.