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 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 3DS Ambassador program as a sign of our appreciation to you.
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.
For any disgruntled 3DS owners, does that make you feel any better?
It doesn't make me feel much better, but that's just because I didn't care that the console got a price cut since I bought it.
I don't feel cheated at all that Nintendo lowered the console price.
I'll feel better when Last Story, Xenoblade, and Pandora's Tower are released on Wii. Until then, I'm still quite PO about a lot of things Nintendo is doing lately.
I didn't buy a 3DS and I'm a little upset with Nintendo over this. What I think they should do is to offer some free games to 3DS owners via the download service only available until the day before the price drop takes effect.
At least the users could feel like they were getting something for supporting Nintendo by being early adopters.
There's a subtle smugness in the fact YOU are the one posting this
Well, I'm not disgruntled, as I've been having fun with the 3DS since launch day, and the free games they're about to dole out canceled any brewing grumpiness about the price drop. They had me at Yoshi's Island. I'm actually very, very happy the price came down so that more people can find out just what an amazing little machine 3DS is.
@jasdparker: Early adopters are getting 20 free games–10 NES and 10 GBA (Including Yoshi's Island!!!) It's a good deal.
I don't have a 3DS, but if I did, I don't even think this apology note would be necessary. In fact, I think I would be insanely overjoyed!
I actually want to buy it for $250 right now, instead of at the reduced price later.
But alas! I have no money, so I will have to wait until later.
@Richard That is awesome! I'm so glad Nintendo is doing right by the early adopters. It makes those of us that are a little trigger shy when it comes to buying new electronics a little less anxious to hear things like that.
I'm happy for you all! Enjoy!
Honestly they really don't need to apologize, I bought the 3DS knowing that it will have a price drop and I was an early adapter, what they need to apologize about is not having having good selection of games to choose from.
Not pissed at all about the price drop. Honestly, with the free games announced, and the fact that some of these will be exclusive to the early adopters), I would have purchased the console at full price after the announcement before the price drop came into effect just to get them.
I said it before and I'll say it again… Nintendo giving away *anything* to the early adopters is more than enough and it should be praised rather than expected.
Nintendo didn't force early adopters to adopt their product early; that's a choice the consumer made. Most early adopters know the risks when they make that choice and missing an inevitable price-drop should be expected.
Am I happy I'm getting a load of free games? Of course! Did they have to? Absolutely not but that's why I'm so happy: I'll be getting something when really, I'm owed nothing – a very good example of a nice gesture.
What everyone has already said.
I look forward to the 20 games as I am sure I'll have not played 19 of them before. Now I do regret having lost my first 3ds but the replacement one is still getting much use. I just finished Ocarina for the first time ever (first time played!).
I am no fan of current 'must have' shooters and the such. Bring on the classics.
😀 it's always nice to see a company with shareholders have a soul~
The fact that they are even apologizing is amazing. Not many many companies would do that at all. And 20 extra virtual games is not a bad deal. Classy move by Nintendo.