The Nintendo 3DS arrived four years ago today in Europe, strategically released to maximise profits before the end of the financial year that closed on 31st March 2011... erm, we mean strategically released to excite gamers. Its arrival prompted plenty of launch week hype, and by the close of March Nintendo announced that over 3.5 million systems had already been sold following its arrival in North America (27th March) and Japan (26th February).
Its history in 2011 is relatively well known - after a strong launch interest beyond the core fanbase was worryingly low, with factors such as a high price and a lack of 'killer apps' playing their parts. A drastic price cut in Fall 2011 prompted Nintendo to compensate early adopters with 20 free retro games - 10 NES and 10 Game Boy Advance - but had the desired affect, along with key releases such as Mario Kart 7, Super Mario 3D Land and (in Japan) Monster Hunter 3 G. Momentum had swung and in 2012 and 2013, in particular, the system enjoyed substantial success around the world, helped along by the 2012 arrival of the 3DS XL. There was a dip in momentum in 2014 (by its own high standards) though there's now been a global release of the New Nintendo 3DS, the latest iteration with amiibo support, super-stable 3D and more.
The 3DS family has surpassed 50 million hardware sales, which is impressive in an era of smart devices and a generally tough market. It's been the saviour of Nintendo financially, but more importantly has brought us a fantastic library of games and proven that there's still a viable market for dedicated gaming portables. Within Nintendo Life HQ there's a lot of love for the system, and the case can be made that it stands with Nintendo's finest systems.
It's four years old today in Europe, but keep an eye on Nintendo Life later in the week for some articles to celebrate the portable family and its upcoming North American anniversary.
Comments 33
Happy Birthday!
It's crazy to look back at those 3DS sales in 2011. Everyone (including Nintendo) was shocked because it was coming off the DS and Wii period, but I'm pretty sure all of those early months saw higher sales figures than the Wii U has managed outside anything other than November and December.
I didn't pick one up until the XL model, and I don't think I could ever go back to a smaller handheld after that. Gaming highlights personally are Super Mario 3D Land and Fire Emblem: Awakening. The library is still some way short of matching the DS for me, but it's miles ahead of the Gameboy and GBA.
Still using Ol' Faithful, bit worried he'll give out at some point! Got some life in it yet though! Another year won't do any harm!
begins to sing Happy Birthday
Wait, no-one else? Okay then...
proud ambassador!
4 years later and I think it still costs the same price as that 25% later in the year price cut, so 3 1/2 years w/ the price holding steady. It is amazing it has sold 50m w/ all the "i" and Android devices in the world.
My thoughts on 3DS was how Ntneod was going to learn from it's mistakes. Wii U still hasn't dropped in price by nearly that much after 2 1/2 years, a $50 price cut brought the $350 Wii U to $300 but they discontinued the $300 Wii U, so you can argue the low end price has NEVER dropped on Wii U, it's always cost $300 to get one, sales not withstanding, but everything goes on sale. And the game droughts have been often on WiiU, maybe even moreso than 3DS which appears to have more 3rd party support.
So what has Nintendo learned? Make a new model w/ face plates, but then don't release that model in the US?
Well I still may get a 3DS XL this summer, even if Nintendo apparently hasn't learned much, they still have the games. Needs a price drop though, XL models have been same price since launch Aug 2012, 3 years ago. Update is nice, but it's still really 4 year old hardware, just larger.
Still no ebook reader or good web browser (even without flash).
Damn you Nintendo .
BTW, i bought used 3ds recently with ambassador programme. I see that some games from ambassador not installed. Can i install them now or not?
Was that an Extras reference?
Greatest system ever for me. 5000 hours and counting and with the games on my backlog just for it I could easily put another 5000 hours! Long live the 3ds!!
Wow its been that long? I guess time flies when your having fun.
@6ch6ris6 I'm also a proud Ambassador.
@rjejr You make some good points and for some you can't really point the finger at Japan this time. NA has dropped the ball far too many times and really hasn't learned from their mistakes. Of course they get some influence from Japan but they really need to step it up. Also not including a power cord/charger for the New 3ds was just plain Stupid. That might work in other regions but not hear as it's unheard of.
I'm not too bother by price cuts but it does help. My theory has always been get the systems in people's hands and let them buy games. Nintendo wants to make a profit and I can't blame them as they have nothing else to fall back on. I say give the systems away and make money on the games. Might be crazy but at least the people will have the system already.
It's by far my favorite of the Nintendo handhelds thus far, and up there with some of my favorite game machines of all time.
Really? It's been four years already? Honestly, I have only owned my 3DS for about 1,5 years now. I always told myself (since I was/am a teenager with limited money) that I would skip the 3DS and buy the next system in the series. Then Smash Bros and Pokémon Y got announced, and I got one secondhanded. And boy am I glad I did. Super Smash Bros, Pokémon Y and Omega Ruby, but also amazing titles like Kid Icarus Uprising, Tomodachi Life, the list never ends. Thank you my loyal 3DS, for the amazing 1,5 years you have given me so far, and even though you get a little more damaged everyday, with your missing rubber on the Circle Pad and slight damage to the top screen, we'll keep standing strong. With the amiibo pad on the way, along with some great upcoming titles, we have a whole road ahead of us
I have my own since April 2012. Recently moved to New. Thanks to Activity Log I am aware of the time pass but it still amazes me how fast years can pass. It's kind of melancholic, memento mori and such stuff.
I got my 3DS at the beginning of 2012. An absolutely amazing machine and I play it almost everyday. At the moment, I am swapping Fantasy Life, Smash and Kid Icarus in and out of the cart slot. Thank you Nintendo for the all fun!
As a console, it's probably been a bigger mainstay in my life than any other, and it's not through yet! Still plenty of good games to come I reckon.
I am late to this party, way late!! I gave myself a 3DS XL for Christmas, my first hand held console and I'm fifty. After playing with my twin nephews' 3DS's I caught the fever and took the plunge. And I've since picked up a couple of used DSi XL's to have on hand, even gave one to my mom. Then I loaded up on lot's of games, some new but mostly used. I tried regular size 3DS and while it was comfortable to hold I need the larger screen for my "old" eyes ;D
I'm proof that It is never to late to enjoy gaming. I absolutely love it
The 3DS was the best $$ I've spent in a long time. I use it everyday and look forward to my "game time".
4 years since the 3DS be out there... Damn, the 3DS has really came far, it feel like it only been a year since I got my 3DS.
Wow, 4 years.... Honestly, that seems waaaay long ago LOL..
@cali_angel Same here,I bought my 2DS 3 months ago.
@6ch6ris6 I am a proud Nintendo 3DS Ambassador too. I am even prouder due to the fact that Nintendo put my Ambassador games on my Nintendo 2DS because my original Nintendo 3DS ceased to work years ago.
Man, 4 years... I remember the first day of my 3DS like it was yesterday...
I'll most likely keep it when I upgraded to the "New" models but yes, I love it and proud to be an Ambassador 3DS owner.
My Launch Day 3ds is still going strong! My most used piece of tech EVER!
Absolutely brilliant handheld - a joy to own from launch, however questionable its popularity was in the early days. Pilotwings Resort and Ocarina of Time were great early games, finishing off the year with Mighty Switch Force, which was an amazing-quality eShop title designed just for the 3DS.
Then we had the superb RPG, Etrian Odyssey IV, and the amazing Fire Emblem: Awakening. This year we've had my personal favourite game, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse.
The only disappointment for me is the lack of 2D Metroid and (in the West) Dragon Quest on the handheld.
I got a 3DS for about 240 euros about a week before the price drop was announced and man I was surprised of how outdated it fell and of how super slow it was. However I never regretted getting it. It has some very cool games. The Layton ones are my favourite with Layton vs Ace Attorney being my favourite game in the system. Other great games are Resident Evil Revelations, Sonic Generations, Dead or Alive, Mirror of Fate,my Dual Destinies and the backlog of my old time favourites Game Gear and Game Boy.
I'm having a Blast with my 3DS with games like Awakening which is my all time favorite, Dream team and 3D Land!
@cali_angel
Hope you've picked up Pokemon X or Y it is the best game/s on the system IMHO. I've put over 500 hours into mine 😇
Oh, and Animal Crossing, love AC!
Just hope Nintendo learend their lessons from the Wii U fail and the 3DSs initial struggles. On top of the list they should adapt reaonable pricing for their NX endevour.
I got my 3DS at launch and I was curious what the press thought about it. So I was quite surprised to see that the 3DS was being showered with criticism from lots of press outlets (including Nintendo Life).
I was new to the Nintendo reporting scene, and I was not yet aware that most new Nintendo products tend to be received like that.
Anyway - Happy Birthday 3DS!
Had my 3ds since day 1 and still got it along with a XL and a new 3ds XL it had a rocky start but it has a great library of games now, playing through bravely default at the moment and loving every second
I got my first one a little over a year ago (was busy owning a business after grad school; missed a few years of gaming). Got the aqua blue, and still going with it. I do have an XL and 2DS to have the full experience. It's a great family of systems.
What I'm surprised most by is the resistance of many DS owners. "Why would I need that? I don't need 3D. I like my DS." Anecdotal for some of the people in my life.
i got my first 3ds in launch day in a Walmart in march 2011, and since i had no played any game from the DS i had a lot of games to play my first 3ds game was Lego Pirates of the Caribbean and my first ds game was Pokemon Black.. i'm the proud owner of a cosmoblack 3ds, a blue pokemon XY 3dsXL and a Majora's Mask new 3dsXL
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