• by Aaron Baar , July 28, 2011

Nintendo will drastically cut the price of its 3DS handheld gaming system, cutting $80 off the retail cost, the company announced Thursday.

Effective August 12, the system, originally available for $249.99, will be priced at $169.99.  “For anyone who was on the fence about buying a Nintendo 3DS, this is a huge motivation to buy now,” said Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime, in a statement. “We are giving shoppers every incentive to pick up a Nintendo 3DS, from an amazing new price to a rapid-fire succession of great games.”

Since the system launched in the U.S. on March 27, 830,000 units have been sold. To compensate these early adopters, who bought the system at a premium, Nintendo will offer them 20 free downloadable games from the company’s eShop (provided they connect to the store before August 11).