Nintendo announced today that they have sold 700,000 3DS's this quarter and blamed the slow sales on a number of factors.
The excuses range from exchange rate difficulties to price. They obviously didn't mention that many users suffer mild headaches when they play the handheld for too long or that there is a real lack of triple A titles.
In a financial statement Nintendo said:"As a result, the worldwide sales of Nintendo 3DS hardware and Nintendo 3DS software were 0.71 million units and 4.53 million units respectively."
It went on to add: "During the three months ended June 2011, for the Nintendo 3DS, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D was launched and was favourably received, but the Nintendo 3DS has few other hit titles”.
In order to try and jumpstart sales Ninty has announced today that they will introduce a world-wide price cut for its flagship handheld console.
They're planning to drop the price by a third in order to drive sales - but a price cut so soon into it release points to a handheld that hasn't performed well at all. Espcecially as DS hardware sold more than its 3D cousin. With 1.44 million DS units sold in the period, it was heavily down from 3.15 million last year. But there were 12.44 million pieces of DS software sold in the quarter.
Early adopters of the 3DS will be able to grab 20 free games from the eShop. Sadly they're not 3D games: half are classic NES titles on the virtual console and the rest are Gameboy Advance games.
While the European list has yet to be confirmed, US games include Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong Jr., Balloon Fight, Ice Climber, and The Legend of Zelda from the NES and Yoshi’s Island, Super Mario Advance 3, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Metroid Fusion, WarioWare, Inc, Mega Microgame$ and Mario vs. Donkey Kong from the GBA.
Interestingly, while Nintendo has confirmed that the NES games will be available to purchase for those who have missed the deadline, it is indicating that the Game Boy Advance titles will be uniquely available to the early adopters only.
The new price for the 3DS will come into effect on the 12th of August. Have you got a 3DS ? Are you disappointed with it ?Let us know below.