How to Score a Discounted Nintendo 3DS AND 20 Free Games

You already know that Nintendo is slashing the price of its struggling 3DS handheld console from $250 down to $170, that's old news. And you probably also know Nintendo is throwing an apologetic bone to existing owners in the form of 20 free game downloads. That's old news too. But is there a way to get the discounted price AND cash in on 20 free games? There is if you get your tail end in gear.

Reports are surfacing that Walmart is selling the 3DS at the $170 price point ahead of schedule, and has been doing so since yesterday. Why is this significant? Well, if you march on over to your local Wallyworld and pick up a 3DS console at $170 (plus tax, of course) and then connect to Nintendo's eShop before August 11 (that's tomorrow, folks), you can sign up for the Ambassador Program and receive 20 free game titles. It's the best of both worlds, but there's only a very short window to take advantage of it.


In case you need a refresher, those 10 free games come in the form of 10 NES titles and 10 Gameboy Advance (GBA) titles. Also worth mentioning is that it appears not all Walmart stores are ringing up the 3DS at the lower price, so if you want to potentially save yourself a trip, call ahead.