Nintendo slashes 3DS price to $169.99 due to slashed expectations

Revolutionary technology that allows mere human eyes to see (and play with) 3D images without glasses isn't enough for you people? Who knows, but Nintendo seems to think it might have something to do with the dollar signs. The company has slashed the price of its brand new--really, this thing came out in March--3DS system from $249.99 in the US to $169.99. Effective Aug. 12, the 3D successor to the wildly popular DS Lite will be 32 percent cheaper.

Nintendo expected big things from the 3DS, but after selling just 710 thousand units between April and June, after selling 3.6 million in its first five weeks, the Big N had to do something. However, price might not be the only ailment the Nintendo 3DS suffered during that time. For one, it's had a difficult launch period with few games released from the publisher before the 3D edition of the N64 classic The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in June.

But the 3DS might have a deeper, more terminal illness that has prevented it from taking off. Nintendo hasn't only been stubborn when it comes to Facebook and free mobile gaming, but has come into the online gaming age overall kicking and screaming. The 3DS still uses Friend Codes for players to connect with one another--arguably every gaming platform has graduated to more robust player profiles and social overlays like Xbox Live, Steam and arguably even Facebook.

Perhaps the target audience for the 3DS has moved onto other mobile gaming solutions. You know, like the smartphones in the pockets of hundreds of millions worldwide? For those of you who haven't given up hope, Nintendo is offering 20 free downloadable games--to customers who purchased a 3DS before Aug. 11--from both the NES and Game Boy Advance eras.

[Via Pocket Gamer]

Do you think the 3DS will gain some momentum, thanks to the price cut? How do you game on the go, and would you ever buy a dedicated handheld gaming system again?

The Oregon Trail mozies on over to Wii for a fine 'n dandy price of $20

Well, I reckon that there's a bargain. The fine fellers at Destructoid found that The Oregon Trail has taken a likin' ta ye olde Nintendo Wii console. (Is that annoying yet? Fine, we'll stop.) The game, developed by DoubleTap Games and published by Red Wagon Games under license by--who else?--The Learning Company, will hit stores on Dec. 9 for the budget price $19.99.

At any rate, color us surprised to find out that the Wii has yet to be touched by the legendary franchise, as it's damned near everywhere at this point. Hell, the game even hit Facebook before it was released on the Wii. Consider us even more shocked to remember that this is The Oregon Trail's 40th anniversary of teaching youngin's everywhere the horrors of dysentery.

This version of The Oregon Trail will be far different from the one recently released by Gameloft for smartphones in that it will feature full 3D graphics. Players will also have the pleasure of driving the wagon themselves across the nearly 3,000 mile expanse of the United States in four different storylines spanning three time periods. (So, how different from the 1840s are we talking, here?)

Players will get to partake in many of the familiar activities featured in previous takes on The Oregon Trail, like fishing, hunting and customizing their wagons. Now, hold on. Forgive us for getting stuck on this, but isn't the time period kind of vital to the historical accuracy of the game? The Oregon Trail was an educational tool, after all--ooh, look: you can play it on 3DS, too!

[Via Mashable]

Are you psyched to see The Oregon Trail to hit Wii and 3DS? Do you think this game will be better or worse than previous releases of the game this year?