Satoru Iwata Takes a 50% Pay Cut, Taking the Blame for Nintendo 3DS Sales

I think this is really the first time we've actually seen Nintendo go down the the wrong side of the road, especially after hearing that Nintendo 3DS, their current "big" handheld, has dropped it's price tag. Not to mention that it was so soon; it's been out for, what will be, 5 months.

During a meeting earlier today, Satoru Iwata of Nintendo told investors why the price cut was so sudden. Iwata acknowledged that it will help retailers at the end of the fiscal year and that it encourages developers to continue developing for the handheld.

Although, that's not the end of it. Iwata also announced that many of Nintendo's higher-ups, including himself, will be getting paycuts. With him being the most notable one, getting 50% cut in his pay, he does state that "other representative directors are taking a 30 percent cut, and other execs are taking a 20 percent cut." Before this, Iwata was getting paid to what was the equivalent of $2 million U.S. Dollars.

Nintendo 3DS Price Dropping to $169.99 in August

The Nintendo 3DS has had a very rocky launch, especially when you compare it to the original DS. In the day and age of smartphones where quick simple games are available at the touch of your fingers, the 3D effect Nintendo's pushing isn't enough to convince people to drop $249.99.

Nintendo is hoping though that people will pay $169.99 for their new handheld, which is going to be the price of the hardware starting August 12.

In addition to this price drop Nintendo confirmed release windows for two of the most anticipated 3DS games. Super Mario 3D Land will drop in November and Mario Kart 7 in December.

If you already have a 3DS (like me) and are getting your pitchforks and torches ready, don't worry, Nintendo has got your back with the "3DS Ambassador" program. You may know that term better as 'free games.'

For starters you'll get 10 free Virtual Console NES games, including Super Mario Bros., Balloon Fight, The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong Jr., and Ice Climbers. The other five games included haven't been revealed yet, but all ten of them will be available for public purchase at a later date.

The free game train doesn't stop there though, Nintendo is also offering 10 free Game Boy Advanced games. Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3, WarioWare, Inc: Mega Microgame$, Mario vs. Donkey Kong, and Metroid Fusion. Again, the last five games haven't been announced yet, but we can expect to know what they are soon.

In a strange move, Nintendo has no plans to make the ten GBA titles available for public consumption.

"These games will be available exclusively to Ambassadors, and Nintendo currently has no plans to make these 10 games available to the general public on the Nintendo 3DS in the future," reads the press release.

More details on the program are to be announced later, and Nintendo's only requirement to be eligible is that you connect your 3DS to the eShop before 11:59 p.m. EST on August 11.

So, will knocking $80 off the price of a 3DS finally get you to buy one? If you already have one does 20 free games feel like a fair trade-off? Let us know.

Nintendo DS Lite's Price Dropped to $99.99, Discontinuation Imminent?

Well, this could definitely be "Goodbye" for Nintendo's DS Lite. With Nintendo's DS handhelds and its upgraded iterations (DSi, DSi XL), it was time for the DS Lite to leave the market and it could definitely be soon. Not too long ago, even GameStop store memos had many wondering why they wouldn't be shipped to them anymore.

Today, Nintendo announced in their press release that on June 5th, the DS Lite would now sell at the retail value of $99.99. It's pretty logical that they would do this, especially with the Nintendo 3DS is the "new thing" for all consumers. If this is goodbye, then Fare thee well!