Topic: 3DS MAJOR price drop incoming + tons of free games for early adopters?

[Ceric]

Yeah.  In TN I'm suppose to also pay the difference between what I pay in Sales Tax in another state and what I would have paid in my Hometown in TN.

[BlackNMild2k1]

GiantBomb has translated an Apology Letter to Nintendo 3DS Owners from Iwata
http://www.giantbomb.com/news/read-satoru-iwatas-apologetic-letter-to-existing-3ds-owners/3546/

To Those Customers Who Bought A Nintendo 3DS Before The Price Change

Greetings, everyone. This is Satoru Iwata from Nintendo.

Thank you very much for purchasing a Nintendo 3DS.

We have just announced a price drop for the Nintendo 3DS system effective on August 11 [August 12 in North America].

In the past, there have been price drops for video game systems some time after their release in order to broaden the user base further. However, never before has Nintendo chosen to issue such a dramatic price drop less than 6 months after a system release.

We are all too keenly aware that those of you who supported us by purchasing the 3DS in the beginning may feel betrayed and criticize this decision.

This unprecedented timing for a price cut is because the situation has changed greatly since we originally launched the 3DS. We decided it was necessary to take this drastic step in order to ensure that large numbers of users will continue to enjoy the 3DS in the future.

If the software creators and those on the retail side are not confident that the Nintendo 3DS is a worthy successor to the DS and will achieve a similarly broad (user) base, it will be impossible for the 3DS to gain popularity, acquire a wide range of software, and eventually create the product cycle necessary for everyone to be satisfied with the system.

Those customers who purchased the 3DS at the very beginning are extremely important to us. We know that there is nothing we can do to completely make up for the feeling that you are being punished for buying the system early. Still, we would like to offer the following as a sign of our appreciation to you.

[3DS Ambassador program details]

We feel a strong responsibility to develop the 3DS as a platform -- to ensure that, in the end, everyone is satisfied; we will make every effort to do so.

Additionally, we know everyone is waiting for Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7. They are scheduled for release in November and December, respectively, so we ask for your patience until then.

Thank you again, and we look forward to your continued support.

apparently there was one from NOE too.
Looks like NoA is still not in the business of appeasing it's state side fanbase though.

[Ceric]

We all know It would summarize as 'FU loyalist we are only doing this because Japan says to.'. In NCL's infinite wisdom they decided to save the money and not send that.

More proof NoA keeps becoming more of a joke and detriment everyday to one of there/their/they're largest markets.

[alegoicoe]

I went to amazon today and saw the 3ds for $204.

[MegaByte]

It's fluctuating because the various suppliers are setting different prices.

[alegoicoe]

the one place i haven't seen a decrease has been at gamestop online.

[UncleBob]

A particular major retailer is dropping the price a few days early.
http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8729484#post8729484

This'll let you get in on the ambassador program without the "price adjustment" business.

[BlackNMild2k1]

If only I had waited.....

no worries though.

[Mop it up]

*rips a pillow in half*

[bloodline4]

when do i get the 20 free games like lol havent gotten them yet
   so scared

[noname2200]

when do i get the 20 free games like lol havent gotten them yet
   so scared

No free games* for you!



*Unless and until you build a time machine. Or wait a month. Whichever's easier.

[kraken613]

So tempting....

[alegoicoe]

If is true about walmart lowering the price two days before the 12, i will get its for sure, if not i'll just wait for after the 12.

[BlackNMild2k1]

You can price match at Best Buy up till 30 days after purchase.
You can Price match at Toys R Us up till 14 days after purchase.

There is no reason to miss out on the 20 free games if you are gonna buy it on the 12th anyway.

Buy it now, take your receipt back to the store on the 12th and get your refund.
This is one of the moments where you get to have your cake and eat it too.

[Chozo Ghost]

The point of the ambassador program was to compensate those who paid $250. By exploiting the system and making a mockery of it by getting both the low price and the games it is like a slap in the face to those who this was supposed to be for....

[BlackNMild2k1]

Dear Chozo's Face:


SLAP!!!

[UncleBob]

The point of the ambassador program was to compensate those who paid $250. By exploiting the system and making a mockery of it by getting both the low price and the games it is like a slap in the face to those who this was supposed to be for....

Boo-freakin'-hoo.

I bought my 3DS at launch.  Paid full price and waited in line (alone) for about 12 hours.

I'm actively encouraging people to take advantage of any (legitimate) way that the can get the cheaper price *and* the 20 free games?  Why?  Because I want to see more people with 3DSes.  I want publishers to see that the 3DS is worth developing for.  I want to get more Street Passes.  I want to see the 3DS succeed.

[Adrock]

What is this self-righteous bullshit? Every early adopter knows the risks involved in embracing new technology. The benefit is that they get it first. People who bought 3DS prior to Nintendo announcing the price drop and ambassador program did so on their own volition, without a gun to their head and without expecting compensation. You aren't entitled to anything just because you paid full price. You're lucky Nintendo is giving you anything. Why don't you just be happy you're getting something instead of being butt-hurt because some people circumvented the system?

Those who are taking advantage of the loophole lucked out by waiting. What's most important is that more people are buying 3DS and I think Nintendo can live with that. Nintendo can't sell their games if no one has the hardware to play them on. It's a successful trade-off for them.

1 internet point for BlackNMild2k1 and UncleBob. I wish I could give BlackNMild2k1 an extra internet point for the My Little Pony gif. Lulz.

[noname2200]

I bought my 3DS at launch.  Paid full price and waited in line (alone) for about 12 hours.

Ouch! That's just...yeowch!

Anyways, I don't see how anyone can object to others having their cake and eating it too. We early adopters either thought the system was worth $250, or like me gambled that it would be and wound up losing. If other folks can get the cheaper price and the free games I'll be envious but, since it literally doesn't affect me in any way, shape, or form, I encourage them to get all they can.

[Stogi]

You crafty sons of bitches. I love it.

[Adrock]

I picked up Ocarina of Time and Resident Evil: Mercenaries 3D today. Toys R Us was having a buy 1 get 1 for 40% off today (until Tuesday) so I folded. I didn't pay full price for these games so if anyone wants to bitch about that, now is the time.

[gbuell]

I really want Mercenaries, report back.

[Mop it up]

The point of the ambassador program was to compensate those who paid $250. By exploiting the system and making a mockery of it by getting both the low price and the games it is like a slap in the face to those who this was supposed to be for....

It is a little irritating, but people will try to get the best deals they can. I can't say I wouldn't be doing the same thing if I didn't already have one. If Nintendo really cared about that though, they would have just dropped the price instead of announcing it like they did. That didn't really seem like the best of ideas.

Oh well, as has been stated by others, if this means more 3DS systems out there, that can only be a good thing, to both current and future 3DS owners.

[Chozo Ghost]

If Nintendo really cared about that though, they would have just dropped the price instead of announcing it like they did. That didn't really seem like the best of ideas.

I agree. They should have just said "this is effective immediately" the moment they announced it.

[Adrock]

Then, all of the people who already had 3DS but never logged into the eshop would have been the denied the free games. How do you suppose Nintendo would have regulated who had a 3DS prior to the effective immediately price drop date? Of course, Nintendo could have just NOT offered any compensation to early adopters but you'd just be bitching about that instead.

See, the problem is that there's no way to please you. Don't drop the price and sales suffer, meaning you're screwed in the long-run since that affects 3rd party support. Drop the price, increase sales, but you want compensation, except only for you and other early adopters. You're calling shenanigans on people who want to have their cake and eat it too but you want the same thing. You're just bitter because you can't which is ridiculous.

Nintendo made the right choice. They compensated early adopters when they didn't have to and they announced the price drop in advance to give early adopters time to log into the eshop had they not already. Sure, some people circumvented the system but Nintendo still nets those sales. It's pretty much win-win for them.