3DS price cut war: £115 at Tesco

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 11 August, 2011

All games £25 at Morrisons.

The Nintendo 3DS price war is in full swing: supermarket giant Tesco has slashed the price of the handheld to £115.

Morrisons has cut the Nintendo 3DS to £120. There, all 3DS games are £25.

Tesco and Morrisons' new prices go into effect tomorrow, Friday 12th August – the day Nintendo's official price cut goes live.

Yesterday GameStop.co.uk listed the 3DS for £135 with free delivery.

We're inching towards that magic £100. Any more for any more?

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (77) Latest comment 6 months ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • C.CFanboy #1 7 months ago

    Ahh screw it! /buys 3DS

  • JohnnyWashnGo #2 7 months ago

    Crikey - I may pick up a spare for that price... brilliant stuff.

  • SnowmanRR #3 7 months ago

    Looks like £100 is not to far away, even if only for a limited time....will then buy!!

  • Jonny5Alive7 #4 7 months ago

    This must be the fastest price cut in history for a console. Thats half price in around 6 months.

  • RodHull #5 7 months ago

    Every little helps.

  • kadooosh #6 7 months ago

    Isn't it cheap for a reason...

  • Zackv4861 #7 7 months ago

    This may just tempt me into it. Shave another £15 and i'm in definately.

  • C.CFanboy #8 7 months ago

    "Isn't it cheap for a reason..."

    Yes. Nintendo want you to buy it and will keep flooding games and price drops on there until the world is converted just like with Wii.

    Its for the greater good

  • MasonMk #9 7 months ago

    Still not interested, at the end of the day it may be cheap but if im not going to play it because the lack of games and better handhelds that are and will be out, then there's no point getting this

  • GuiltySpark #10 7 months ago

    I actually don't understand the reason the 3DS is flopping so much. November is only a few months away, every system generally is starved for games after it's launch.

  • BabylonForever #11 7 months ago

    the greater good

  • BOFH_UK #12 7 months ago

    Woah... really wasn't expecting that sort of drop. So either a) Nintendo are supplying these things to retailers at a MUCH lower price than we thought or b) they've got a lot of stock built up and/or the demand isn't there even at ~£130.

    The sad thing, and I say this as someone with a long and mostly happy history of owning Gameboys, even at this sort of money I just can't justify it. The game aren't there and even when that selection does improve (and make no mistake, it will) they're still going to be expensive for portable titles. Really think that's one area that Nintendo need to look at, the games are worth the money but asking people to pay £30+ for a portable game is going to becoming an increasingly hard pitch, especially if some publishers continue down the road of effectively removing the second hand value of a game by locking save games or other such nonsense.

  • Bigmac1910 #13 7 months ago

    People can say what they want, the iPod touch, iPhone and iPad is taking over with cheap/free games. Regardless whether it has dedicated buttons or not.

    Edit: The problem isn't the cost of the system, but the cost of games, especially if you have several kids.
    Edited by 3 at 11/08/11 @ 08:50

  • StarMagic #14 7 months ago

    All games at 25 quid? What fucking games?

  • BOFH_UK #15 7 months ago

    Uh, okay, sorry for asking but... why the downvotes? Can't quite work out what people are objecting to there...

  • TechnicPuppet #16 7 months ago

    The resolution of the screen makes it a no go for me. Its barely a step up from the DS and inferior to most mobile phones.

  • DUFFMAN5 #17 7 months ago

    Are you reading this SONY Drop the price of the320gb ps3 to sub £200 you fookers

    re the 3ds, great price

  • Pinky_Floyd #18 7 months ago

    Just another 15 quid to go and its low enough to sneak it past the wife :)

  • KrazyFace #19 7 months ago

    I would get one, but I got burned pretty badly with my DSi (lack of software), which I traded with my DS Light, which I traded for my orignal DS...

    Kinda had enough of it now, sorry Ninty!

  • richarddavies #20 7 months ago

    Balls!! Im skint until I get paid at the end of the month. I bet there out of stock then.

  • DDevil #21 7 months ago

    Fuck me. I paid £150 a couple of months ago but I wish I had held on, never mind the free games.

  • Sabreman64 #22 7 months ago

    Probably still not worth buying one until they get the battery life problem sorted out with the next revision of the 3DS.

  • antonntminh #23 7 months ago

    Well, it's time for nintendo to take loss in every console/handheld they sold, seen MS and Sony do it years ago.

  • MikkyX #24 7 months ago

    If my girlfriend wasn't about to move in, bringing her (full price - bwa ha ha) 3DS with her in the process, I'd be sorely tempted now.

    At least she's in the Ambassador program now.

  • captain_Elsley35 #25 7 months ago

    Will have to buy one now. I can't stand using my iphone for gaming anymore. Some games like cut the rope and PvsZ suit the touch screen but the rest like dead space and side scrollers are terrible. So the 3DS has it's rightfull place. It would be nice if the games were a tad cheaper though.

  • WinterSnowblind #26 7 months ago

    Definitely regretting getting one for £170 now. Even with the free games, people who are quick on these deals will still be able to get them (I think you'd need to buy one today though).

    It's definitely going to be the last time I pick up a new system at launch.. I was expecting Kid Icarus and Mario Kart to already be out. At the very least, this has probably shown Nintendo that they can't just release a system with no games and expect people to eat it up because it has their name on it.

  • dr_shambles #27 7 months ago

    Cool. It's a great little machine and deserves a wider audience. Looking forward to the free games as an early adopter bonus anyway.

  • gjgjg #28 7 months ago

    Deal

  • Tiiti #29 7 months ago

    /bought

  • Eldritch #30 7 months ago

    Still too much for a piece of legacy hardware with a slapped on 3D gimmick.

    Bought it for 150 quid, played with it for about an hour and sold it again immediately.

    Sticking with my iPod touch, waiting for the PS Vita.

  • DUFFMAN5 #31 7 months ago

    Tesco in store I assume ? cause it ain't on line.

  • johnson81 #32 7 months ago

    Like a fool I practically paid full price for mine, which was about £220. I feel bum-raped at the mo. Even the 20 free games don't help. I've played them to death over the years and I don't really want them, It will take a while before I can get this sour taste from my mouth Nintendo.

  • WinterSnowblind #33 7 months ago

    I'm surprised to see so many gamers going on about the iPhone. Does anyone serious about gaming really consider that thing a proper system? To me that's the equivalent of PC gamers wanting cheaper PC games because of Facebook.

    I also think it's a bit soon to be hyping the Vita, after all, we saw this exact same situation with the PSP vs the DS, and which system eventually ended up with the far better library of games? Don't kid yourself into thinking the Vita is going to have a lot more games much quicker.

    It surely can't be as bad a launch, but still. The 3DS had just as many games announced as the Vita currently does.. just most of them weren't launch games. How many of the Vita's have been confirmed for launch?

  • Cappy #34 7 months ago

    Mad price cuts never seem to salvage ailing systems in my experience. People just weren't that keen on buying in the first place, the Gamecube was something like half the cost of the PS2 but people still weren't buying, potential purchasers had already written it off due to the software droughts.

  • Eldritch #35 7 months ago

    "I'm surprised to see so many gamers going on about the iPhone. Does anyone serious about gaming really consider that thing a proper system?"

    Well, I think everybody has a mobile entertainment time budget of sorts. Whether you spend that with a 3DS, PSP or iPhoe/iPod hardly makes any difference. It's time spent playing mobile video games. And if you're enjoying yourself, that's all the better.

    You may argue still how much money you're willing to invest for that kind of entertainment. And, to me, the iPhone/iPod's games are better value, because they are cheaper without being less enjoyable than what some people may call "real" games.

  • Snufkin #36 7 months ago

    I'm tempted, but considering I can barely find the time to play the games I buy, download and rent from Lovefilm, I can't see a place in my life for 3DS. Perhaps if I had a long commute, but I live a 10 min cycle from my office. So, no sale. However, this is a sweet price point for something which is a pretty awesome piece of kit in my opinion, having tried one out.

  • cyacomini #37 7 months ago

    Still not quite at the sweet spot for me - console at £99 with zelda at £19 and I may bite.

    As for price cut records, I think that is still held by the Saturn in the UK. It was launched at £399.99 then was selling at £199.99 less than 10 weeks later. Not only that, but they wanted another £34.99 on top of that for an RF cable (remember them?)

  • knightmt #38 7 months ago

    I quite enjoyed ghost recon, though I wacked it up to elite after the first few levels, as it is not very difficult.

  • C.CFanboy #39 7 months ago

    "As for price cut records, I think that is still held by the Saturn in the UK. It was launched at £399.99 then was selling at £199.99 less than 10 weeks later. Not only that, but they wanted another £34.99 on top of that for an RF cable (remember them?) "

    You've told me something there. I never knew this. No wonder Sega left games hardware. They pretty much gave the finger to people with stunts like this.

  • jazzrock #40 7 months ago

    Normally, at that price, I should want one... the fact that I don't (for the lack of any games I'm interested in) shows how badly Nintendo screwed up their launch.
    Eventually I will buy it - end of year, when there's Mario and Mario Kart + something more.

  • Tiiti #41 7 months ago

    To be honest if it wasn't for the extra 20 free games you get if you register on the eshop by 11:59pm tonight I would wait until Mario Kart. We are talking Nintendo classics, not rubbish games people don't want.

  • evild_edd #42 7 months ago

    @DUFFMAN5

    The article does say "new prices go into effect tomorrow, Friday 12th August"

    Online price will likely match the in-store price if you take a look in the morning...

  • J.C #43 7 months ago

    jgt.Girlfreind paid over £200 for mine in may. I was seduced by the 3d hype, and she bought it for my birthday. I hadnt even tried one out in the shop before i got one. I knew it was overpriced outdated tech when i switched it on. The resolution on the screens is shocking. My old sony erricson slider phone has clearer visuals than my 3ds! Its a nice little device, but its so out of date its a joke. Its in trouble now, imagine what it will be like when the vita arrives. £50 3ds anyone? Anyone??

  • J.C #44 7 months ago

    Girlfreind paid over £200 for mine in may. I was seduced by the 3d hype, and she bought it for my birthday. I hadnt even tried one out in the shop before i got one. I knew it was overpriced outdated tech when i switched it on. The resolution on the screens is shocking. My old sony erricson slider phone has clearer visuals than my 3ds! Its a nice little device, but its so out of date its a joke. Its in trouble now, imagine what it will be like when the vita arrives. £50 3ds anyone? Anyone??

  • TheBusterMan #45 7 months ago

    Mmm,that's more like it.Wish Sony would bring down the price of the PSP.Mine's knackered and I ain't paying £120 for one.Surley with the Vita round the corner,there should be a PSP 3000 price drop round the corner?

  • Lamb #46 7 months ago

    Thats a massive improvement on price for someone else who does not have a handheld. But the games should be max £15 on a handheld. Most games are heavily discounted after a month or two, except for Nintendo games.

    Nintendo does have more competition now and a year from now, if they don't compromise on the quality and fun of their games they should be alright.

    Nintendo should also note that they are competing with their older handhelds if and when they make their next one.
    Edited by 2 at 11/08/11 @ 10:21

  • ChrisOTR #47 7 months ago

    I've got £70 of Amazon vouchers currently on a Vita preorder... If they drop 3DS to sub-120 I might change allegiances!

  • WinterSnowblind #48 7 months ago

    @Eldritch
    Well, things like Dev Game Story and Farmville may be fun to play for a few minutes at a time, but I wouldn't compare them to the likes of the Legend of Zelda or Skyrim and I certainly don't want to see casual gaming completely replace these big traditional gaming titles. Am I in the minority on that these days, or are there just a lot of people who want to see Nintendo fail at any cost?

  • TruSmiles #49 7 months ago

    I paid full price for mine on launch night. Im not sure if I regret it, because I certainly got a lot of fun out of the street pass mode with my mates at Uni and also at gaming conventions I went to in London (nothing more fun than getting over 100 hits and having to constantly refresh, haha) and then Zelda provided me with a lot of joy as well.

    Do I feel like an idiot for paying full price? Not especially. My hubby bought a Gizmondo at launch with a ton of games. I think this makes us even xD

  • apoc_reg #50 7 months ago

    So glad i didnt cave at £135!!

  • Tiel #51 7 months ago

    I have owned just about every console from the last 15 years and I'm not tempted.
    For me the price of games on handhelds is just too high. There are quality ipad/pod games out there, oftenoj sale and always less than 3 quid. Mobile gaming is a different style to home consoles and ipod suits the quick blasts.
    Of course there is a mountain of dross on ipod but thats because anyone can get in and publich--a nice healthy return to the amiga days of shareware etc.
    It doesn't matter is 99% of ios games are dross--1% of a massive mountain is still more than I have time to play--and at 69p a pop I can take few risks. The best way to play nintendo games is usually on a big screen with a proper controller (this also makes me question the benefits of wii U.

    Finally I don't feel entirely comfortable with the 3d.

    For all the above--I will get a vits when they have been out a couple of years, improved the hardware and decent games can be vought for under a tenner.

  • Monkey_Puncher #52 7 months ago

    Is this an instore only thing?

    Certainly no sign of it on the website.

  • TheBusterMan #53 7 months ago

    @ J.C. Wow your girlfriend spent all that money on you and you aint even greatfull? Your lucky to have such a generous girlfriend.

  • DUFFMAN5 #54 7 months ago

    @#52
    I also made that mistake, it is not yet...we will find out tomorrow (UK)
    Edited by 2 at 11/08/11 @ 11:21

  • Tiiti #55 7 months ago

    Sheeet I only just noticed the price cut comes in to effect tomorrow.... after the 20 free games deadline..... now I' may just wait :/

  • madeinbeats #56 7 months ago

    Makes me chuckle how a lot of people think the Vita is going to be storming out of the blocks and leaving the 3DS eating its dust.. I mean, coming off the back off the PSP and PSPGo; what planet exactly?? BWaaahahahaaahahaaaa.

  • hilts #57 7 months ago

    why are people going on about cheaper ipad games when the thing costs at least £400 in the first place.
    (For the record i have an ipad + iphone + 3ds)
    I bought a 3ds on launch , not disappointed , whilst there are are some cracking cheap games on iphone and ipad (have several) , nothing can compare to zelda , mario , mariokart!
    Am very tempted by vita , but given the ds v psp last time round may be prudent to wait a while.

  • Mister-Wario #58 7 months ago

    Holy crap. If I needed a portable console and my money wasn't already tied up in model railways (seriously) this would be a fantastic buy.Glad to hear the prices of the games have come down too.

  • Eldritch #59 7 months ago

    "I wouldn't compare them to the likes of the Legend of Zelda or Skyrim"

    Neither would I.

  • Serk101 #60 7 months ago

    Nintendo should of integrated the same Wii virtual console onto the 3DS. If there was an option to also transfer games already bought on Wii VC to 3DS that would of been an added bonus. Who wouldn't want to play Majora's Mask on the go!

  • steagz #61 7 months ago

    i agree with wintersnowblind iv had an ipod touch since december last year played a few games on it and cannot stand it as a games device.

    its not got the same feel to it as playing on a psp ds anybody that thinks different are not the kind of people what i would call real gamers they are just people that will accept anything thrown in front of them without really thinking about it
    Edited by 2 at 11/08/11 @ 12:22

  • eviroboy #62 7 months ago

    The 3DS games at Morrisons were £25 to start with, but then came Ocarina of Time and they suddenly jumped to £30, so the reduction is nothing really, especially as most can be picked up for under £20 online anyway. Morrisons has a crap selection.

  • electrolite #63 7 months ago

    "As for price cut records, I think that is still held by the Saturn in the UK. It was launched at £399.99 then was selling at £199.99 less than 10 weeks later. Not only that, but they wanted another £34.99 on top of that for an RF cable (remember them?) "

    That's not quite right. Saturn launched July 1995, PS1 launched Sep 1995 at £299 and came down to £199 in the summer of 1996 (the US price drop to $199 was announced at E3). Sega matched it at that point, if they'd have done it any earlier they'd have been undercutting Sony by £100 and selling the Saturn for a lower price in the UK than the US

  • DirectAim #64 7 months ago

    ill defo buy at £100 :D

  • ISmoke #65 7 months ago

    I'm tempted to buy one if they remain at that price for much longer. My headset i just bought costs more than that!

  • TelexStar #66 7 months ago

    @ JohnnyWashnGo - "Crikey - I may pick up a spare for that price... brilliant stuff."

    Crikey - more money than sense? Our survey says yes!

  • reeferchief #67 7 months ago

    I'll get my 3 night shifts out the way, then a spot of christmas shopping.

  • Rack #68 7 months ago

    Ooh £25 for any of the games, maybe I should get...

    So when's Mario coming out then?

  • Kikizosan #69 7 months ago

    Even with the 20 free games, I'm still feeling miffed with having paid full price. Sure, there are some great games included, but nothing I haven't already played to death.

    Nintendo should make this Ambassador thing ongoing, somewhat akin to PlayStation Plus. Not necessarily delivering free games on a regular basis, but with timed exclusives, special offers, etc. 20 free (great, but old) games for paying close to £100 more for a 3DS just a few months ago...just doesn't quite cut it.

  • cawley1 #70 7 months ago

    Hmm, I got mine on launch day with money from an insurance payout after some twat burgled us, so I am not too put out.

    I wonder if I can get Comet to price match Tesco's as I still have £200 on the card, and could get the nipper one...

    One other thing... Despite being a crusty old gamer, I have never bothered with Ocarina in the past and all this positive stuff makes me think I should give it a go! What is the best price at the mo? £25 in Morrison

  • cyber_nicco #71 7 months ago

    "Ignore poster | #4 +15 You buried this comment Comment below viewing threshold Show
    This must be the fastest price cut in history for a console. Thats half price in around 6 months. "

    It's not a console - it's a handheld. They are both platforms.

  • YenRug #72 7 months ago

    I could have sworn most of the 3DS games were £15 when I was in Morrisons, the other day.

  • tossum #73 7 months ago

    I feel so sick that I bought one 1.5 weeks ago for my son's birthday at full price.
    I just threw up on the floor. See I told you so.

  • GREASYL0VER #74 7 months ago

    Posted this in the other roundup thread, but I'll stick it here too incase the info helps anyone ...

    After reading about this this morning I have decided to take the plunge and buy one.

    I took a few games into Gamestation and my old DS Lite. As usual they are quite prepared to r@pe you for trade-in prices, however using the HMV iPhone App I was able to get £41 for my DS Lite, £15 for Mario Kart and £14 for Mario 64 DS. Not to mention a few old 360 games I traded in and I've finished up with £120 on the card.

    I just need to try and get them to price match the Supermarkets tomorrow and should be good to go. However, they might use the excuse that as the Supermarket aren't offering the "Zelda Bundle" then they can't do it. The way these stores rip you off I would really like to see them all go bust.

    Zavvi Outlet on eBay are selling a number of 3DS games for £15 ... that's pretty decent.

  • technikalf #75 7 months ago

    Can anybody shed any light on what time they will be selling units at £115? I just rang Tesco's phone number and they had no knowledge of it being reduced by that amount - but then I imagine staff are often left in the dark when it comes to things like this. I wouldn't mind heading down at midnight but if past Tesco experiences are anything to go by, they won't have stock marked down correctly (or even on the shelves) until a more sensible trading hour.

    I just can't see stock lasting too long at this price and would hate to miss out.

  • Ryze #76 7 months ago

    Wow - £125? NOW I'm tempted.

  • GREASYL0VER #77 6 months ago

    Gamestation just pricematched my local Supermarket, so I got the 3DS for £120 and Zelda for £2