With the news and subsequent launch of a considerable price drop for Nintendo’s ailing 3DS handheld, the company is making an effort to spur sales of the console ahead of this year’s important ‘Holiday’ period to ensure that the raft of exciting new 3DS titles will be able to find a wide enough audience.

The 3DS price cut was put into effect mid-August around the world, with recommended retail prices now ranging from ¥15,000 and $169.99 in Japan and the US, to R1899 and AU$249.95 in South Africa and Australia.

But what about those of us who bought the 3DS before the price cut was announced?

To try to make it up to those early 3DS adopters, Nintendo initiated an ‘Ambassador Programme’ to reward gamers for their early purchase, and if you signed onto the Nintendo eShop before August 11th, you’re now eligible for a host of free NES and Game Boy Advance games, downloadable through the online store.

Right now, NES games such as Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong Jr., Balloon Fight, Ice Climber, The Legend of Zelda, Wrecking Crew, Mario Open Golf, Mario & Yoshi, Metroid and Zelda: Adventures of Link are available for download by these 3DS ‘Ambassadors,’

By the end of the year, Game Boy Advance titles such as Yoshi’s Island: Super Mario Advance 3, Mario Kart: Super Circuit, Metroid Fusion, WarioWare, Inc.: Minigame Mania and Mario vs. Donkey Kong will also show up on the store, exclusively to Ambassadors, for free.

3DS owners in both Europe and the US are now able to get those NES games by logging into the eShop, locating the ‘Settings/Other’ tab, and then navigating to the ‘Your Downloads’ section. By tapping ‘Redownload,’ you can download any of the free NES games currently available.

Enjoy!