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Nintendo releases Mario Kart 7 3DS bundle for the holidays

by: Sean Colleli -
More On: Mario Kart 7 3DS XL
Nintendo isn't just releasing the new Wii U and baffling, hobbled Wii Mini this holiday. They also have a 3DS XL bundle with Mario Kart 7 pre-installed. The bundle will run you $200, which I suppose is an okay deal considering the handheld is $200 on its own and sold separately the game is $40.

That said, I'm still not sold on the 3DS and I'm really not sold on the 3DS XL. Like the DSi XL before it, the 3DS XL seems like such a needless waste of a SKU and all the accompanying material, marketing and launch resources. All of that time, effort and money could have gone into developing a 3DS Lite with a much better battery and a second analog stick, but instead they release a 3DS with a bigger screen for old people? The 3DS has been one head-shaker after another, at least for me, so I'll be saving my money this holiday.

Also I'm still not too keen on Nintendo's recent trend of pre-installing games on retail consoles and acting like it's some huge bundle value. With their fledgling account-based Nintendo Network just getting underway and their shaky record on transferring digital goods in the past, I'll take a hard copy that I can hold in my hand, thakyouverymuch.


 Nintendo News: Nintendo 3DS XL Bundle Races into Stores for the Holidays


REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mario Kart fans are getting a limited-edition bundle to help keep their engines revving through the holidays. On Dec. 2, Nintendo is offering a Blue/Black Nintendo 3DS XL with Mario Kart 7 pre-installed on the system for a suggested retail price of $199.99. If purchased separately, the system and the game would be offered at suggested retail prices of $199.99 and $39.99 respectively, making this another great Nintendo value for holiday shoppers.

The portable Nintendo 3DS XL system offers two screens that are 90 percent larger than the original Nintendo 3DS and let owners see even more amazing 3D details. Owners can watch their karts zoom across the track in 3D without the need for special glasses. The system also includes the Nintendo eShop, a one-stop shop for downloadable new games, Virtual Console games, free game demos and full downloadable versions of retail games. Users can also enjoy augmented-reality features and Nintendo Video, a channel filled with free one-of-a-kind 3D videos.

Mario Kart 7 lets karts race through the air and under the sea for the first time. On big jumps, karts deploy a wing to help them glide over the track. When karts dive underwater, a propeller pops out to help the kart cruise across the sea floor. Players can customize their vehicles further to enhance their driving style or play to certain types of terrain and even race as their own Mii characters. Multiple courses challenge players to race for the checkered flag.

For more information about Nintendo 3DS XL, visit http://www.nintendo.com/3ds.