A little over two years ago, Nintendo released a limited edition red DSi XL packaged with Mario Kart DS. That bundle quickly sold out at stores and now sells for way above its original price from third-party sellers if in new condition.
Nintendo is once again tapping into the Mario Kart franchise this holiday season and bundling it with a blue and black 3DS XL for the price of $199.99. A new 3DS XL costs that same price, so in effect Mario Kart 7 is completely free.
As has become the new norm for Nintendo and its handheld gaming devices, Mario Kart 7 will be pre-installed on the 3DS XL and not come in cartridge form. This is important to note for two reaons. First, the game will take up a sizable chunk of storage on the device. Second, the game cannot be shared between multiple 3DS devices in the same household.
The 3DS XL Mario Kart 7 bundle will arrive in stores this Sunday, December 2. I will pass along an update with online ordering links once they are available, and assuming the bundle doesn’t sell out the same day it is released.
