Nintendo has expressed concern over a potential backlash from customers who bought a 3DS before today's unexpected price cut announcement.
"Never in Nintendo's history have we dropped a system's trade price so significantly less than six months after launch," the company said in a statement.
"We are aware this may cause you, the loyal fans who supported Nintendo 3DS from the beginning, to lose trust in us, and this is not our intention in any way. All of you who have kindly supported Nintendo 3DS from the beginning are Nintendo's most important customers."
In a bid to prevent consumers "regretting purchasing" a 3DS early, Nintendo has confirmed plans to offer its "special customers" 20 free downloadable games from the Nintendo eShop.
Earlier today, Nintendo revealed global 3DS price cut plans after the portable sold just 700,000 units in the period between its February 26 Japanese launch and the end of the company's financial first quarter on June 30.