The cheapest DS just got even cheaper. Nintendo has announced a price drop for its wallet-friendly 2DS handheld, bringing the cost of the device to $99.99, down from the original $129.99 price tag. And it's even cheaper than that price suggests, as new models of the handheld will also come bundled with the excellent Mario Kart 7 at no extra charge. First launched in October 2013, to coincide with the release of Pokemon X and Y, the 2DS was designed as an entry-level version of Nintendo's dedicated handheld. It's less expensive, but also strips away some of the device's features, including the glasses-free 3D and the iconic DS hinged design.
The 2DS price drop comes ahead of the holiday season, which will include several notable new DS games, including The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes in October, and Pokemon-like sensation Yo-kai Watch in November. The latter, in particular, is a big deal for Nintendo. It has already proven to be a massive hit in Japan, spanning multiple sequels, an anime, toys, and more; all told the franchise has earned more than $2 billion in merchandise sales and sold 8 million games. With the cheaper 2DS, Nintendo is clearly trying its best to replicate that phenomenon with the Western release.
The 2DS price drop goes into effect on August 30th.