Everything You Need To Know About The 3DS

Everything you need to know about the Nintendo 3DS

The Prices

A new console launch generates a lot of buzz at retail, with gamers all keen to track down the best possible deal when they can finally get their hands on the thing. At NZGamer.com, we're keen to help you find the best deal, so we've hunted high and low to get the dirt on where you can buy what and for how much.

As it's a competitive environment, it's also a fast moving one - we expect the retailers will adjust their prices right through the launch window in reaction to what their competitors are doing. To that end, if you see a better deal than what we've got listed here, send us a tip and we'll update the article to ensure it reflects the most current information!

The information is separated out by retailer, sorted by what we believe is the best deal. What works for you, however, could vary as many retailers are doing competitively priced bundles which might just be the best value for you if you're keen on the combination they're offering.

JB Hi-Fi

JB's deal, which you can see on their website here, nets you the 3DS console itself plus a 10-in-1 accessory pack from 3rd Earth for $448.

JB are not doing a midnight launch, however their Wellington store will be opening early (around 8:30am) to ensure gamers can still get their hands on the thing asap.

JB Hi-Fi are known for aggressively discounting their videogame products to ensure they're the best deal around so keep an eye on their price as it may well go down during the launch window.

Noel Leeming

Noel Leeming have a super competitive price on the 3DS, however they're limiting this deal to the first 200 units - it may well prove a smart move to call ahead and see if you can secure one. The deal? $479.99 - including Lego Star Wars III - and you can get 19 flybuys too, if that sort of thing floats your boat.

First Games

First games, an online-only retailer that came to fame by importing unedited copies of GTA4, is doing the system alone for $449.99. You can see a list of all of their prices, including great prices on many of the launch games, here.


EB Games

EB are doing the system alone for $479, however if you pre-ordered when they listed the price as $449, they will honour that price for you.

They've also listed their price for of all of the launch games, which you can find here (thanks to Mr. Deflok for the link).

If you buy Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars, The Sims 3, Rabbids 3D or Rayman 3D with your new 3DS console, they'll drop the price on each of those to $58 - a decent saving as the titles range from $69.99 to $89.99 normally.

Dick Smiths

DSE have a range of prices available, depending on what you want. Their most basic price is $469 for the console only. They also have bundles available, with an accessory pack and your choice of either Ridge Racer 3D or The Sims 3 for $489, a smart saving if either of those is on your "must have" list.

At the time of writing, however, those deals were only available online - stores may honour the price, but you'll need to check in store.

For the full details of DSE's 3DS offerings, check out the 3DS category of their website, here.

The Warehouse

The Warehouse have the console alone listed at $489, however they also list a bundle deal for the system plus the hot-selling Ridge Racer 3D (sources suggest this, along with many of the other titles, will be scarce when the system launches) for $498, which isn't too bad.

The Warehouse are generally pretty aggressive with price matching so, even though their known deals aren't at the lowest end, like JB Hi-Fi it may well be worth checking on the day for their best deal.

The Rest
The 3DS is, obviously, available from many places other than just the ones we've listed. Some of the retailers below, whose prices aren't as competitive as those featured above, may well price match, bundle or in some other way fill a niche that makes them a good deal for you so it may still be worth getting in touch with them to see what they can do for you.

A good way to stay on top of the lowest prices available from NZ retailers is to check PriceSpy's 3DS section.

Some examples:
• MightyApe: $489.99

• Fishpond: $499


So there you have it! The 3DS is here - are you getting one? Which games are you keen on? Have you seen any great deals? Do you have (or want) any information that's not in the article?

Let us know in the comments below!