With the Nintendo Switch just on the horizon, many have wondered how it will impact Nintendo's business strategy in the coming months and years. It's obvious that the Wii U is being put out to pasture – the console's already ceased production – but what of the 3DS? Nintendo has shown that production of 3DS games will continue for some time after the launch of the Switch, but perhaps it might want to think of keeping the 3D handheld alive even beyond that.
The October NPD results just came in, and they were quite favorable for the 3DS. Here's what analyst Sam Naji had to say on the results:
The 3DS experienced its fifth straight month of year-on-year growth. Both unit sales and consumer spending for October grew 12 percent as average pricing was flat year on year. It is likely that continued consumer interest in the Pokémon franchise and Monster Hunter: Generations has driven this growth.
All told, it seems as though the handheld is doing rather well, perhaps more so than one would expect at this late period in its life.
What do you think? Should Nintendo keep the 3DS around well after the Switch's launch? How long do you think it'll sustain growth? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
[source venturebeat.com]
Comments 37
Honestly, I could see the 3DS going for another couple years. I know the hardware is really beginning to show its age, but it's still got one of the best game libraries of the generation and a strong install base. Plus, it's cheap to buy games for and it's portable. I could see Nintendo cutting the price to a hundred bucks and positioning it as a budget console.
Pokémon and Monster hunter are the best games on 3ds.
I really want the $100 New 3DS bundle. I have older 3DS XL but the smaller N3DS looks very temptating.
@MitchVogel Me too, I don't think 3ds will leave soon.
I don't really see software support continuing after 2017, but I can definitely see Nintendo keeping the platform around as a budget console for longer. A solid library for a sub-$100 machine is hard to pass up, Switch or no Switch.
I just bought the Black Pokemon Sun & Moon 3DS XL. It's my 5th 3DS and I have no shame in saying that. The 3DS is hands down one of my favorite games consoles period. Solid line up and solid design. It certainly has life left as a budget console
more new 3ds titles and features then please! (highly doubt it but nice thought lol)
Actually I keep thinking of buying a 3rd 3DS, tempted.........
@IceClimbers I think it'll depend on how well Switch does. If it's performance is like the Wii U, Nintendo will probably ditch the Switch very early on and create something like a HDS as a proper replacement to the 3DS.
@IceClimbers it will 2million percent depend on Switch success. I think they will be inclined to keep it going a little longer than they would have previously because of the lessons learnt from WiiU failings. But if Switch hits the ground running and everyone gets on board we don't get much 3DS support (especially in the west) beyond next autumn is my guess.
It's a good strong stable and reliable portable gaming platform with a huge catalogue of both DS and 3DS titles. Yeah it may be old by today's standards but it works! Viva la 3DS!
It'll still fit in my pocket and it has a huge library of games of very high quality that I still haven't played!
I ❤ 3ds...it's my fave console ever. So many superb games. I hope they keep it going forever!
And I still love streetpassing
3DS is the best.
Hey, after the dodgy start the 3DS' general success has never really been in question. I mean, we knew it was never likely to reach DS level of sales but it was always going to do decent numbers, so this is good new but not shocking/surprising or anything.
Now, about the Wii U. . . .
It always gets said, but percentages are a dumb way to brag about numbers. In the year leading up to the PS4 launch, we saw headlines such as Xbox One reveal causes Wii U sales to triple in the UK. Monster Hunter 3 launch causes Wii U sales to double in the UK. Wind Waker HD sees Wii U sales rise by 600% in the UK. And then... PS4 outsells Wii U in the UK within hours of launch.
3DS sold around 123k in October, which I don't think is a particularly impressive number for this time of year. Should we expect great numbers for a 6 year old machine? Nope, but neither should we act like it's doing something special by hitting these figures. People on here talk like the XB1 is struggling, but it outsold the 3DS 3 to 1 in October.
And just to point out again, we got abusive posts about the UK market when Color Splash failed to make the top ten... but it's nowhere near the NPD top ten and just gets accepted. Every game gets very close performance in both markets, but the commenters still persist with the 'UK hates Nintendo' .
@Anti-Matter I'm in the same situation except here (Canada) it will be $139, so it's less of an impulse, but I'm considering it anyways.
@Pichuka97 are you a collector? Or do you give/sell your old systems?
@Peach64 I get what you are saying about click-baity & sensational article Headers, but I do think its worth nothing that there has been steady growth over last year for a system as old as the 3DS, given the fact that the Switch is imminent.
There's nothing about the header that makes the claim bolder than it is, and %percentages are how we measure growth. Sure 123,000 units may not be impressive, but growth, even a little, is good for any company, and especially for Nintendo given the times.
Last breath of a dying warrior. 3ds is in my top 3 favorite console all time.
If the 3DS can work as an extra Switch controller and 3DS games can be played on the Switch, why not keep it going?
Does NPD combine or separate 2DS and 3DS numbers, b/c I would think those $79 2DS would be selling to kids over the summer pretty well, kids these days can pick that up w/ their allowance money.
And yes, I did write "kids these days".
@MitchVogel You wrote the article, what do you think,
“The 3DS experienced its fifth straight month of year-on-year growth,"
goes back almost exactly to the 2DS dropping to $79 in May. Is all the talk of 3DS sales really talking about the cheaper model 2DS?
The standard sized new 3DS was released for the first time in North America in October 2015 (or late September 2015, I don't remember exactly), so it is good to see the 3DS continued to outperform last years numbers regardless, even if October 2016 was a very quite month for the handheld.
November 2016 NPD should be explosive for the 3DS. Pokémon X/Y sold 1.7 million copies in October 2016, and Pokémon OR/AS sold 1.5 million copies in November 2014. Pokémon Sun/Moon has a shot at selling ~2.5 million copies, which would make it Nintendo's biggest software launch since Pokémon Black/White from March 2011.
I bought the Solgaleo and Lunala NN3DSXL in October and sold my old Black 3DSXL. It's a great system with a very nice library. I'm sure it could last a few more years.
@MitchVogel generation? Hell, it's one of the best libraries, ever, and I've been here since the 2600 (or Pong, if that counts).
The best console of this generation.
@rjejr Yeah, this is 2DS and 3DS (and N3DS) combined. The "3DS family".
You just know a lot of those are 2DS systems. No 3D handheld there!
@MitchVogel: Well said. I don't think I could have phrased my opinion better.
@RoomB31 I never really considered myself a collector but now that I think about it, it is something that I can see myself getting into
Not really sure what Nintendo should do here. As mentioned, the system is showingshowing its age. Zeno blade and Hyrule Warriors. ... maybe Smash are the only games that take advantage of the new version. If they launch a new ultra portable system, it will sorta overlap with the Switch. Yet sorta not.
The 3ds/ultra portable will offer a different experience than a Switch. A Switch, while portable, is still a bit cumbersome compared to a 3ds.... The only thing I could possibly see them doing in a few years, when component costs come down, is may offering a Switch Mini, or a 3ds that is advanced and compatible with a Switch.
So, I would say ride the 3ds horse until it just isn't selling.
3ds should have strong finish sales wise this year given the cheap bundles and Pokémon.
I would love to see the 3DS stick around. While the Switch is looking great, it is no where near as portable as my standard New 3DS, especially when you factor in a case to cover the exposed screen. Worst thing I have to worry about is scratching up the top or bottom of the case while in my pocket, and a new set of face plates will fix that issue in a heartbeat.
@rjejr Could be, I don't know specifics. Even if the 2DS is responsible, I think that shows there's still some noticeable demand
@MitchVogel But demand for a $79 console is different from demand for a $199 console, $169 New 3DS isn't readily available in the US, so it's $199 New XL or $79 2DS, and I do think that's a difference at 2.5x the price. Is a low price selling Nintendo consoles, or games on a $199 console?
Price will be a determing factor in Switch's success. Maybe only cheap poor people buy the bulk of Nintendo consoles?
I'm all in favour of continued support for the 3DS family beyond the release of the Switch. My 3DS (New 3DS XL, rather) is the system I've used more than any other, it's easy to set up and play whenever!
I don't see why there should be a rivalry between handheld & home console owners, if the 3DS is doing well it's good for Nintendo, surely! Keep it going!
November and December 2015 were historically terrible for Nintendo 3DS and represents the two worst months of holidays sales for a Nintendo handheld since the mid-1990s, when the first Gameboy was still around.
I expect 3DS hardware sales to rise around 50-80% YOY in November and December 2016, thanks to record breaking Pokémon Sun/Moon sales, some good 3DS hardware deals/bundles, and Super Mario Maker 3DS (coming right before Super Mario Run). Software sales will probably rise around 200% YOY this November and around 100% YOY in December, again thanks to Pokémon and Mario Maker...
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