Where Is Australia’s Cheapest Nintendo 3DS?

Nintendo’s 3D-without-glasses-enabled console, the 3DS, goes on sale tomorrow, with a list price of $349.95. What kind of discount can you get on the official price?

3D gaming won’t appeal to everyone, but one useful feature of the 3DS is that you can turn the 3D option off. That means it’s a potential portable gaming option even if, like me, you get sick at the sight of any sort of 3D.

Obviously, not everyone who wants a 3DS is going bargain hunting; our resident gaming guru Mark over at Kotaku reports that pre-sales for the device are the highest in Nintendo’s history. But if you do want more for your money and haven’t ordered yet, there are a few options, split between discounts on the device itself and getting extras bundled with the console:

• Kmart wins the outright price war, with the 3DS on offer for $288.
• As several commenters have pointed out, JB Hi-Fi has the 3DS for $298 with an accessory pack, which is pretty close to the Kmart deal.
• Dick Smith has the 3DS for $328, with free delivery for online orders. (The Dick Smith catalogue suggests “checking online” for pricing, so it might end up matching prices in store on the day; it certainly can’t hurt to ask!)
• MWave has the 3DS for $338.
• The Good Guys has the console for $347, including one 3D game (from a choice of Ridge Racer 3D, Star Wars III, Nintendogs, Splinter Cell 3D or Street Fighter 3D).
• Target has a bundle of the 3DS, a case and one game (from a choice of Rayman 3D, Rabbids 3D or Ghost Recon Shadow Wars 3DS) for $339.
• Big W has the 3DS with a “starter kit” including case, earbuds and spare stylus, plus your choice of either Rayman 3D or Ghost Recon Shadow Wars 3D, for $348. An alternative offer is the device for $348 with free delivery if you order online. Big W is also offering an extra 1,000 Everyday Rewards points to 3DS buyers, though this is an opt-in offer that only works if you get sent a specific email about it linked to your existing Everyday Rewards account.
• EB is charging the full $349 price on pre-orders, but does have one offer that might appeal if you’re planning an iPad 2 upgrade: you can trade in an original 32GB iPad and get a free 3DS.

Obviously, with the cheaper prices, you’ll want to hit the relevant stores as early as possible.

Found other 3DS bargains? Share them in the comments.