Nintendo is dropping the prices by $20 on its DSi and DSi XL handheld game devices as of Sept. 12, the company said Monday. The DSi will go for $150, and the larger XL will cost $170 after the price drops. That may make consumers happy — any savings is appreciated these days — but many gamers really want to know when Nintendo plans to launch its 3DS, which will display games in 3-D without needing special glasses.

The company did not comment on that.

The DSi XL just became available in the United States last spring. It's a larger version of the DSi, with a 4.2-inch screens (93 percent larger than the DS Lite's screens). But as msnbc.com Citizen Gamer columnist Winda Benedetti wrote with the launch of the DSi XL, "Will consumers pay $190 for the DSi XL now that Nintendo promises to launch a new 3-D game device within the next year?"

Now with Nintendo's price drop, the decision may be easier, and some gamers may go for both the DSi XL and the 3DS, which is expected to cost between $200 and $300.

There's no price change for Nintendo's DS Lite; it remains at $129.