http://www.nintendo.co.jp/info110728/index.html

OK, now I don't feel quite so badly burned. In the above link, Nintendo is basically apologizing to early adopters for this "unprecedented" (in Nintendo's history) of a hardware price drop so shortly after release. They explain that current market conditions are quite different from before they released the 3DS, and therefore making this price cut now is the best way to ensure that the system is accepted widely as the successor to the DS. However, they also don't want to damage their relationship and trust with early adopters.

So, they are implementing a "Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program". To take advantage of this program, you must have connected to the 3DS e-shop at least once before 11:59pm 10 August (the day before the price cut takes affect). Anyone who has done so will be automatically registered in the Ambassador Program.


(The following is my partial translation of the information from the above link, and while I believe it to be accurate it is not guaranteed free of error. If I notice or am made aware of mistakes, I will edit accordingly.)


Benefits of the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program

Starting 1 September, 10 NES Virtual Console games will be available free of charge. Available titles will include the following:

Super Mario Bros.
Donkey Kong Jr.
Ballon Fight
Ice Climbers
The Legend of Zelda

These titles were originally scheduled to be released before the end of the year at the time the NES Virtual Console for the 3DS was announced/released. These titles will be released in advance (in their current state) for the Ambassador Program, and then updates will be available (again free of charge) once they are released again for everyone with the NES Virtual Console.

Further, before the end of the year 10 GBA Virtual Console titles will be available free of charge. Available titles will include the following:

Super Mario Advance 3
Mario Kart Advance
Metroid Fusion
Made in Wario
Mario vs. Donkey Kong

At this time, these titles are not scheduled for general release, and are being provided only to early adopters as part of the Ambassador Program.

I wonder if the 3DS in NA will receive a price cut as well?

I don't think other than in promotions and such done via individual retailers an official price cut of this nature happens regularly (I'm sure there must have been at least one or two such situations in history, but definitely not the norm) , you can't deny it. it's around $100 price drop, in less than 6 months in the market. This is not ninty playing 'nice' nor is this planned. 3ds has underperformed greatly in their eyes (.7mil shipment this Q). They rushed it, over priced it expecting more. this is not fair to early customers at all imho, I would be surprised if many don't feel some remorse over this

on a positive note this combined with MK and other games will drive sales big time!

Let's suppose those games are $5 each, that's $50 total. So, it's really only $50 off, as everyone predicted and expected.

It should have costed that from the start and it would be flying of the shelves.

If we supppose those games are $5 each, then it's a total of $100. 

The Ambassador Program is offering a total of 10 NES games and 10 GBA games. Only 5 in each category are listed as examples. There will be an additional 5 in each category. Sorry if that wasn't clear. 

I don't deny that it's unprecendented and totally not like Nintendo to do something this drastic. We all know 3DS are priced this high because they expected similar result like the Wii. Price is based on supply and demand.

We all also expected a $50 cut. It's logical.

I think, this cut is the counter to the announced price of Pita.

Wow... A huge pricecut for the 3ds! I'm glad I waited, but that Ambassador Program has GBA games... Does this mean others can buy those too or is it exclusive.,

I also saw on nintendolife that in America it will cost only 169.99 instead of 249.99. Hope Europe gets a pricecut too .

You are reading what I wrote correctly, yes. And, I read the press release at least 5 times while typing that up. 

It doesn't say "select from 5 of 10 games" or anything similar to that. It says 10 NES games (for example the following 5) and 10 GBA games (for example the following 5), free of charge. I just read it again for the sixth time. 

maybe to vita..pita isn't that expensive :P

and no this is in reponse to the horrible sales which are well below expectations, mostly. If not they would have at least waited for a release date for PSV. and I'm not denying their reasons for pricing it so high, they just misjudged it and misplanned it. but this will be a more accessible price point to casuals and sales will be much much improved. it will hinder psv sales, at least to a certain limit as well