Best Time to Buy: Discounted Nintendo 3DS and Other Video Game Systems

Now that the Nintendo 3DS is available, it's a good time to take stock of your gaming needs and see what needs an upgrade. For now, Nintendo has the newest thing on the block and the price is generally stable and high. But there are still deals to be found on it (at least one). And there are other gaming systems out there that you could nab on sale that will make you feel a little less envious if you aren't shelling out for a 3DS.

Here are a few of the latest deals on Nintendo and other video game systems. These deals were valid as of early Tuesday morning, but check them before buying because prices change fast.

Nintendo 3DS
Amazon is selling the Nintendo 3DS Handheld Game System in Cosmos Black or Aqua Blue for $249.99 with a $25 credit toward a future game purchase. Shipping is free. It's not much of a price drop but it does get the new system in your hands for less than other places.

The unit features a 3D Depth Slider, built-in motion and gyroscope sensors, Circle Pad, 3D camera, 2GB SD memory card and more. Select Nintendo 3DS game purchases through Amazon provide a $10 credit toward the purchase of a future 3DS game.

Refurbished Nintendo Wii
If a handheld system is too small for you and you want a bigger screen, try a refurbished Nintendo Wii Game Console from Best Buy for $119.99 and $9.99 for shipping. It's $20 less than the best total price we could find for a new Wii system. The refurbished system includes the Wii console, Wii remote controller, Wii nunchuk controller, sensor bar, AC adapter, and AV cable. It's not part of the newer MotionPlus bundle. Best Buy didn't provide warranty information, so check with the store before buying.

Sony PlayStation 3 Move
Amazon sells the Sony PlayStation 3 320GB Console Move Bundle for $349 with free shipping. It's the lowest total price we could find by $50, although Walmart also offers it at the same price with free site-to-store pickup or $7.97 for shipping. The bundle includes a the gaming console, DualShock 3 wireless controller, Move Motion controller, and Sports Champions game.

Microsoft Xbox 360 with Kinect
If there's a Hastings retail store near you, you're in luck for this Microsoft Xbox 360 4GB Game Console with Kinect for $299.99, when a $100 Hastings gift card that comes with it is included in the price. That's the lowest total price we could find by $99. The console has a black wireless controller, headset. 802.11n wireless, 4GB hard drive, dedicated Kinect Sensor port, composite AV cable, and one mont of Xbox Live Gold membership. The Kinect sensor comes with the Kinect Adventures game.

If you can't find a Hastings store, Amazon also has the same console with the game Dance Central for Xbox 360 for $299.99 and includes free shipping. That's the lowest price we could find for the pair by $39.