Gaming on Nintendo’s portable systems is about to get cheaper. Starting on September 12, the Nintendo DSi will now cost $149.99, with the larger Nintendo DSi XL dropping to $169.99. The “why is this thing still available?” model, the Nintendo DS Lite, will cost $129.99.
Along with the press release announcing the price drops, Nintendo’s executive vice president of Sales & Marketing Cammie Dunaway is quoted as saying something about shoppers wanting “to get the maximum value out of every dollar they spend.” Translated, this basically means “With the Nintendo 3DS out early next year, we’re really worried it’s going to put people off from purchasing new handhelds this holiday.” Smart.
Nintendo also reaffirmed its first-party DS line-up for the coming months: Professor Layton and the Unwound Future on September 12; Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs on October 4; Art Academy on October 25; Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!; and Golden Sun: Dark Dawn on November 29.
Does now seem like a good time to pick up that Nintendo handheld you’ve been holding out on, or will you just wait for the Nintendo 3DS?