Nintendo, perhaps realizing that its entry in the next-gen console stakes is likely to be overtaken by the upcoming releases of Sony's PlayStation 4 and Microsoft's (News - Alert) Xbox One, has announced that a set of Wii U price drops would hit the market, and fairly soon. But perhaps just as interesting, Nintendo also revealed that it will have a new handheld device coming soon as well, a refinement of the 3DS that the company is calling the Nintendo 2DS.

Those who bought a Wii U recently may want to take it back, or those thinking about doing so may want to hold off, as when September 20 arrives, the price of a Wii U Deluxe Set will drop to $299.99, a price drop of fully $50 off the original retail price. Nintendo believes that this price drop—according to recent reports—along with the slate of games expected to hit by the end of the year, will make the Nintendo Wii U an even better value than it was.

Nintendo is also bringing out a limited-edition version of the Wii U, featuring “The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD” in a bundle on Sept. 20, but for the same $300 price. This surprising package includes a black Deluxe Wii U, but also a gamepad that boasts gold lettering and a gold Hyrule crest along with other symbols from the game itself. It also boasts download codes for “Hyrule Historia” and “The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD.” The packaged copy of same, meanwhile, doesn't arrive until October 4.

Additionally, the upcoming Nintendo 2DS is also making an appearance, in a choice of red or blue color schemes for $129.99 starting Oct. 12. The 2DS is much like the 3DS—it plays the full array of both packaged and downloadable games—but will play its content in 2D rather than in 3D. Most of the same basic hardware is present, though, including dual screens and touch screen capability.

While the 2DS is likely to prove a good move—offering up a lot of the same content but with a slight difference at a low price—it's easy to question Nintendo's logic on its Wii U move. Granted, the Wii U clearly needed something to better compete with the upcoming onslaught of new console that's about to hit the market like a tidal wave hits a beach, but this move sounds too much like the ultimate business desperation move of “eating the seed corn,” in which Nintendo tries to get cash today by taking business away from tomorrow.

Basically, Nintendo's offering a price drop, which is great. But at the same time, it's reducing the effectiveness of that price drop by offering a special bundle value set right alongside the hefty price drop. Why would anyone who was interested buy a regular Wii U when, for the same price, buyers can buy one that comes with two download codes and a variety of nifty extras? The price drop is an excellent idea, no mistake, but it's easy to look at this and think perhaps it could have been executed better.

Still, only time will tell if this move is enough to keep Nintendo in the fray, especially with the biggest releases yet still to come and two new systems poised to hit the market in a matter of months. Holiday shopping season is also close at hand—another three months or so and all the stores will be decorated, maybe even less—so it's definitely a market to watch.