Target to offer $99 Nintendo DS

by Ross Miller { Nov 22nd 2005 at 6:30PM }

While there is no indication that this is a universal price drop, the online Target catalog is marketing the Nintendo DS (type in "DS" in the search catalog linked via the picture to the right) as only $99 for the Electric Blue and Titanium-colored models.

With the price of the Nintendo DS currently at $130, this is a great deal, if true. The catalog claims the deal is in store only, so if you ever had any inkling of interest in the touch screen portable, now would be the perfect time to indulge.

[Thanks, Jay]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Eric @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

does "to offer" mean "currently offering"? If so, I'm off to Target...

SilverDogg @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

well woho. how come there are no targets here ;_;

Alonando @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Sweet...

Pixelantes Anonymous @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

This is sweet!

The terms and conditions on the catalog site say the prices are good until 12/24/2005, but no indication of when they go into effect. Might be immediately, might be in Dec only. Who knows.

gjd @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Oh, but I just got mine 4 days ago from Best Buy for Mario Kart! Alas. In the end it was cheaper anyway since I used up tons of Best Buy gift cards I'd accumulated, but I could have kept those for later.

lol @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

PSP R.I.P.

Kamalot @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

What do you mean PSP RIP? Don't you know that the DS has no games worth playing and thet PSP is online?!

DUH!

JeffyP007 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Can the DS be used be hooked up to the Cube in lieu of a gameboy advance for games like 4 swords, crystal chronicles, etc?

darryl @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Finally it'll be priced closer to what it's worth... They could bring it down a bit more though. I'll wait a little longer I guess.

JeffyP007 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Christ, am I stupid, or is Target's website retarded? I type in Nintendo DS, and I see games, accessories, adapters, bundles, etc but not a listing for the actual, by itself, NINTENDO DS. Fucking retarded.

Tom @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Damnit! kick in now price cuts!!! I got a red Mario Kart bundle on pre order for Tuesday!

Alkaiser @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I'm in agreement with #8. I don't know where you guys are finding this price info, but it's not showing up for me.

Despero @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I work at the local SuperTarget, so this would be great news if I didn't actually already own a DS (got it last year around Christmas). For me, it would only be about 80 bucks plus tax with my discount. DANG IT

Jago @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Wow...that's pretty incredible...plus isn't the Mario Kart bundle $150? That would mean you could buy this and the game and save about $20.

Tim @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

#10: Try clicking the 'Read" link on this page. The pricing info is in the catalog on that page. (It's an online copy of their paper flyer for December)

It states clearly in the catalog that the pricing is only good in the stores, and NOT online.

Does anyone else find the $99 listing for the DS next to the $99 listing for the Micro as funny as I do? Who would buy the Micro if they're the same price?

Orbita1frame @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

go to http://catalog.target.com/december/default.aspx?action=browsepageflash&storeid=2413636&promotioncode=target-051121-DECEMB&pagenumber=1&swfdir=%2fkidscatalog%2fflash%2ftoycatalog%2f&versionnum=1.4
click on page index on the left and keep clicking on the next page button till you hit "pages 56-63". then click on page 56 and the middle picture with the kid holding the ds.

Vincent @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

#12--I think the Micro is marketed at a different crowd. I daresay people who are interested in a device because it's tiny and stylish aren't going to be into the DS, regardless of price.

Anyway, I just called my local Target, and the guy did a price inquiry; it is indeed 129.99. I'm pretty sure the online catalog is strictly for December.

Oh--and at all the people who're confused, type "DS", not "nintendo ds". The system will be the first on the list.

Now I'm stuck with a dilemma: should I get a used one now for $80 (my brother works at Blockbuster, heh) or wait a week and get one for $99?

What do yous guys think? I'd really like to have one sooner rather than later...

Alkaiser @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I apparently typed "DS" into the wrong search bar. You need to enter it into the search bar on the left, not the one on the top, because the top one is the search for the online store, and it won't give you any of the in-store prices.

Oshi @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I might have to pick up another one. :)

heat @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

oh my god!

eric @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

yeah, don't bother going to target. they don't know anything about this. I guess wait until december...

now my question will be: is the red DS worth the extra $15?

El Perron @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I was a fairly die-hard PSP / PS2 fan and after flunking at getting a 360 last night I bought a DS and a few games last night. I figured if I didn't like it I could just give it to my brother for Christmas.

What a happy accident; although the design is pathetic it's really, really fun to play. I played Advance Wars and Mario Kart literally all night and can easily see the replayability value in both (the PSP sorely lacks this with the exception of Lumines).

I've never owned a Nintendo before (I evolved Atari 5200 > Commodore 64 > Commodore Amiga > Apple > Sega > Sony PS > PS2 > PSP) so I guess I'm a new convert. Anyway my point is that I think $99 is a great price - I paid more and I honestly don't regret not getting that 360 after all because this can tide me over until it comes out en masse.

My second PSP is going up on eBay tomorrow (no kidding). :)

tob @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I purchased my DS for $130 and it's now my favorite system. The games on the DS just bring portable gaming to a whole new level.

@#13. If the screen is clean (free of scratches) pick up the used DS and get a package of screen protectors unless you don't care about that.. $80 for a DS is a freaking steal!

Pixelantes Anonymous @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I just came back from a Target store. They had no clue, and no way of checking the info on this deal. I had them scan every single Nintendo DS sku they had in the store, all came up at $129.99.

Heretic @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

DS is the shit

mike @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

What a happy accident; although the design is pathetic it's really, really fun to play.

--

Seriously.. what? It comes in lots of different colors, but the standard color is silver. Okkaaay.. it's a rectangle shape and it flips open.. HOW PATHETIC! Care to rephrase that?

PS. Welcome to the fold. DS rules.

DG @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

You had them scan every SKU? What, exactly, did you think that would accomplish?

Pixelantes Anonymous @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Well, given that they only had 3 different SKUs, I didn't think it was such a bother.

Vincent @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

SWEET!

You're all right, not a single person in the store knew what I was talking about when I called.

BUT I called and talked to a customer service rep specifically because there's no start date on the online catalog. She told me to print up the offer as well as the T&C and I did and they gave it to me for $99! How freakin sweet is that! So I picked up MKDS while I was there--which they told me to come back Thursday anyway because there's a two-day sale going on and I can get it adjusted to $26.95, IIRC!!

Believe me, though, I work retail; it's the easiest thing in the world to adjust prices, and Target's policies are fairly leanient. So call and tell them you saw an offer online that said it doesn't end till late December and that it's only in-store--those were the kickers for the people I talked to. Print up a screen grab and voila!

In the meantime, I'll be racing. Online. Wirelessly. (I'm really, really excited about this!)

313592
493435

Fabio Parri @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

A famous chain is selling them at 89�, in Italy. The offer ends today:

Edgar Baez @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Hey Vincent, #26

Really? Did you just have to print out the page with the offer and you went there and got it? What did you do? Just give it to the cashier and they deducted the money? Sweet!

BTW, is MK:DS really gonna be 26$ dollars today at target?

Mark @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Just screen shot and print the add? you said you printed something else too, what else do we need?

John @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I'm also a new DS convert. I could've bought a PSP for the coolness factor, but it had no games I wanted to play. Their games also seem to cost more and there are issues with load times and overall game selection. I'm glad I went with the DS and really like Meteos. I also got the nintendogs game but haven't played it yet, it came bundled with the system.

Mario Kart or Mario & Luigi RPG will be my next game(s)!!

DS is awesome!

-John
http://www.freemoviescreenings.net/

Vincent @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I printed a screen grab of the offer itself as well as the Terms and Conditions; the important things they need to see is the date of the sale, and the fact that it says "In Store Only". Also, make sure the Target logo/graphic work is visible.

I called ahead and spoke to a manager; I'm pretty sure they have the power to adjust prices at the registers, but they need managerial approval. So I brought in my screenshots after talking to somebody who said to bring those in; she called the manager who called the Electronics section, where I checked out, to tell them I'm coming and give me the $30 off.

And I took at look at their sales ad, the two day sale is actually Friday and Saturday. I'm not absolutely positive that she said $26, but either way, they DID say that it's going to be on sale Friday and Saturday, so it's cheaper regardless.

Hope that helps; I know my post was somewhat unintelligible. I'd just gotten off a MKDS stint late at night!

Shadowlink @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Will it be like this forever or only the holidays and please send it to my email

Yoshi_fan123@hotmail.com

Jordan @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I just got off the phone with Target in Bloomington, IN and they had no idea what I was talking about and gave me some schpeel about Target stores and Target online are basically two different companies. I then mentioned him the fact that it says its "In Store Only" and he replied with well I don't really know what to tell you sir. I then asked if there was someone else I could talk to about this and he said "Yes please hold" Then he got back on the phone and said he consulted his manager and that I should call the 800 number for the website. I then asked if I could print the add and bring it in and he said no because Target stores and Target Online are basically two different companies, I didn't mention the fact that it said In Store Only again, I didn't feel like arguing at the time. Lack there of coffee.

Jordan @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Called Wal-Mart in Terre Haute, IN to see if they price match and the woman on the phone gave me a very confident "yes we pricematch Target and anyother store as long as the item is the same." So I headed off to Wal-Mart on my lunch break. I get there and go to the Electronics department to have the person there to say they don't since Target is not a local competitor (no Target in TH) she then said she would verify this with her store manager though just to be sure. He first off asked her how much the sale was for, she said for 30 bucks off, he promptly responded with nope we don't price match. Retail store = teh suck!

Tom @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Well, I just got back from my local Target store in Saint George, Utah. Spent about 35 minutes there trying to get them to match the price I had printed out from the online catalog showing what it was going to be on sale for, and they wouldn't do it. The "manager" that was helping me spent 15 minutes screwing around on one of their touchscreen computers that have access to the target.com website, and he couldn't find it there, obviously because it is not on their main website. Bleh. Anyway, couldn't get them to give me the deal here.

Nintendo DS for $99 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Worked for me.
Framingham, MA Target.

At first the electronic guy was a little skeptical because it didn't ring up at 99.99. So he took me over to their computers that they have (over by customer service) to make sure it was legit. Funny thing is they don't even SHOW any DS related prices through their online computers!

He then called over a manager.
What was really interesting was that the manager WAS aware of the "price discrepancy".

I printed out screenshots of the December Catalog Terms and Conditions, as well a screenshot of where it says IN STORE ONLY.

Totally awesome
THANK YOU JOYSTIQ.COM!!:)
B

Larry @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

well this guy can now afford one

http://www.givebobadollar.com

Rusty @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

This will be a hit or miss at a Target store. You may get a good manager or a bad manager that won't change the price. I got a bad one. Said to call guest services (1-800-591-3869). So I was bored and did. It is a catalog misprint. And to cover their ass they print a disclaimer on the back saying that "where not responsible for errors, yada yada yada, if the store doesn't offer the price." The best they can do is send me a $30 gift card after I buy it and mail in my recipe. I think it would work best if you actually had the catalog in your hand. But to say again. The Ad is a misprint. So if you get it in store for $99 consider yourself lucky

BlueGrl @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I just came back from Target in Redwood City, CA. No luck. Talked to the manager there and he told me some story about this going on sale this Friday, and not today. He didn't want to change the price.

I will try again tonight at another Target store.

Joseph Blossom @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

It didn't work at my target, so I went to circuit city and got a price match... I ended up getting it for $96.99

Alonando @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Look at the URL guys. It has the word december on it.

catalog.target.com/december/...

So maybe we should wait for December?

Kabir @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

@Kamalot:
"What do you mean PSP RIP? Don't you know that the DS has no games worth playing and thet PSP is online?!

DUH!"

The DS has:
Mario kart (Online, Dumba$$!)
Advance Wars
Lost in Blue
Meteos
Tony hawk's American Sk8land
Sonic Rush

Etc. And are you living under a rock? Have you not heard the hype? Nintendo Wi-fi Connection!?
ONLINE?

Pixelantes Anonymous @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

I just got an email back from Target Guest Relations. Not good news:

Thanks for your e-mail about The Nintenedo Dual Screen in the 2005 Holiday Catalog. The ad is a misprint, as the price in the system should be $129.99. However, Target is honoring the ad price of $99.99 if you are able to bring in a copy of the catalog. If you have any trouble at the store, have them call us at (800) 440-0680 and we will be able to assist you then. Keep in mind the catalog price expires on December 12th, 2005.

We always welcome your questions, so if we can assist you in the future, please contact our Target Guest Relations team at (800) 440-0680. You can also speak with a team member at the Guest Services Desk at your local Target store, or visit us on Target.com. Either way, we�re here to help!

Thanks for shopping with us. I hope we�ll see you again soon at Target.

downczar @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

Just talked to Target Guest Relations. The ad listing is for December. That is when the $99.99 will start. If you bring your DS and the recipt in and you have purchased it within 2 weeks, they will do a price adjustment.

Lanna @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

i can't find the listing in the catalog. i tried both "DS" and "nintendo DS". what the heck?

WorknMan @ Dec 18th 2005 10:09PM

So I guess if you don't have the catalog, you're out of luck.
I took a printout of the screenshot of the catalog price into my local Target store, thinking that at worst, they'd tell me to come back in December.

The guy behind the counter called the 800 number referenced above (but only after I twisted his arm) and whoever answered the phone at 'Guest Service' said they would NOT match the $99 price; he said that the email referenced above is WRONG.

Of course, before I went, I overlooked the part about bringing in the actual catalog, which I don't have. My only question is, if they're not going to honor that price, why is it still advertised on their online catalog?

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