We love the 3DS here at Nintendo Life - the handheld system is arguably up with there with Nintendo's very best in terms of its software library - but it's hard to deny that the now almost-eight-year-old machine is well and truly on the verge of dying, with recent sales dropping by a significant amount across the board.
Sales of the system have been relatively slow in its home region of Japan for some time now, with the Switch naturally becoming the main focus of Nintendo's efforts and the go-to system for most players. Perhaps the best indicator of the console's demise is in its software sales, though, with major releases now struggling to make any real dent in the charts.
Recent figures from Famitsu show that Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story + Bowser Jr.'s Journey, which launched in the region just after Christmas, only managed to shift 9,178 copies in its opening week. For the sake of comparison, the last entry in the series, 2015's Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam, sold 49,266 units in that same period, and even that higher figure was considered to be an underwhelming launch at the time.
Likewise, Luigi's Mansion has only sold 82,577 copies in just over two months on sale in the region, despite the series' fame and any potential hype for the upcoming Luigi's Mansion 3. On its launch day, reports suggested that the game only sold through 20% of its initial shipment; sales tracker Dengeki had predictions set rather higher at 45%.
It appears that, just like many of the readers who comment on our very pages, Nintendo fans as a whole are slowly ditching their 3DS consoles, instead wanting to play all new releases on their shinier Switch. Nintendo has repeatedly said that support for the 3DS will continue, but how long will this realistically go on if sales continue to fall?
We'll let you mull that conundrum over in the comments below.
[source japanesenintendo.com, via perfectly-nintendo.com]
Comments 157
Bound to happen eventually.
Kill...meeee…pleeeeaaase…
but seriously 'Y'know...for kids.'
Doesn't bode well for any more 3DS games like Epic Yarn and that Mario & Luigi remake. But no console is going to live forever.
I mean the 3DS is almost all ports and remakes lately, I'm happy to buy new games on it but they've gotta be new (or a Paper Mario 64 port, either one).
calling it. Extra Epic Yarn will be the last first-party game for the system.
production of the 3DS line will stop after Christmas this calendar year.
Until recently, I was a firm believer that these two consoles could run simultaneously. However, with the Switch’s impressive 2019 lineup and the 3DS sales dwindling, perhaps it’s time to move these games onto the Switch and let this unusual handheld die.
@GrailUK don't you mean kill Mii?
The 3DS had its time to shine and it was and still is a marvelous system, truly was one of the best systems Nintendo released but its out with the old, in the with new(ish)
I think that the 3DS market SHOULD have started a sharp decline a couple years back. The money they raked in on evergreen 3DS titles alone since the Switch came out are outstanding. While not as powerful as the Switch, it was a far more rounded system by the end of its lifespan.
This makes me think the next Switch makeover might lean more towards mobile only/mini/portable instead of a fancier pro version. They've definitely held up the handheld market, even in the darkest of times.
@AxeltheBuizel I see what U did there.
The Switch is a powerful handheld and with a library not even close to it's full potential, so yeah it's time to move on.
Now the focus is to pump quality titles to the switch.
I love my 3ds. Truly a great little console!
I have to agree. It would be great for Nintendo to focus on switch. Even the ports and remakes. I would rather have them on switch now!
I get it's got a larger install base though.
Also do the figures include digital? That could be affecting it
The 3DS has had more than a solid run, seeing as this March will start its ninth year on the market, but clearly consumers are moving on to greener pastures. Nintendo is clearly just trying to squeeze every ounce of cash out of it that they can. Their strategy of only releasing ports and remakes shows this to be the case and never was intended as a long term solution.
It was going to happen eventually, given the system's age, the popularity of the Switch, and new releases being mostly relegated to remakes and ports. I still play mine, though quite rarely nowadays. I still play Animal Crossing every now and again while I anxiously await the Switch game. Also considering getting the Bowser's Inside Story remake at some point.
Not surprising , with the portability of the switch the 3DS is hard to recommend.
Nintendo's being pretty stubborn pushing 3DS support into 2019. I'm not at all surprised to see major titles underperforming. Most everyone seems to be done with their 3DS as this point.
They should have stopped support after 2017, with Metroid Samus Returns and Pokemon Ultra Sun / Moon as the system's swan song(s).
All of the games mentioned should have been on Switch.
I just hope the last 3DS Game we get outside of Japan will be Persona Q2. This would be the best swan song for the System i could imagine.
Even if the 3DS is on his last legs, i will always remember the great times i had with it.
I'm not suprised, downgraded ports of games that nobody asked for aren't system sellers, even if the original games were good.
-and I remember Nintendo saying the same thing with the Wii U, they're like a stubborn child that only accepts things when it suits them, but I guess that's how business and PR is...
3DS is great but now it is really time to move on
all im seeing are remakes of Nintendo Games released on other Nintendo consoles already. (i won't lie, i am excited to try some of them out.) but it's no shocking to see declined sales for 3DS. also the console is pushing to 8 years old too.
I just hope we get Persona Q2 before they officially put it to rest.
It can’t be costing them much to port these games over so maybe it’s still profitable for them even with the low sales. I mean Luigi mansion was a GameCube game, epic yarn an original Wii one. Can’t be too hard to get them over. The only strange thing is if possible they should be made available on switch as well. Think they would sell quite well.
What I noticed in recent years is that Japan moves on from consoles faster, Japan dropped the 3DS XL so fast so no shock. (They didnt even release the 2DS in Japan until waaayy later, kinda proving the point) While I agree that the 3DS is slowly dying, its price point is the only reason why Nintendo is still supporting it, the 2DS is 79 bucks while the Switch is 300 bucks, I think they will drop 3DS when a mini model comes out and or when the switch starts hovering around late 100’s in dollars, I still think that it would be stupid to kill off the cheaper model in a market where Nintendo is the only major player left (handheld).
"Major Titles"
One of the best consoles ever created. It has hardware backwards compatibility which is great! It has amazing own games.
It might die but it will be remembered like the GB, GBA and the DS.
I think even for people who haven’t moved on, people who might be getting a 3DS for the first time, the question is: who are these games for? 3DS has one of the greatest libraries of games in history, but that’s precisely the problem. If you’re just starting off on the system, are you going to buy the $40 remake of the GameCube game or the $20 Nintendo Select? Between the immense library of cheaper 3DS games, and most of its older audience moving on to the Switch, there’s a very very niche audience for upcoming 3DS games.
good, concentrate on switch
Really? It's almost as if Nintendo has had a replacement handheld device for nearly 2 years now.
Also further proof that Luigis Mansion should have been brought to the Switch as well if not instead
A little bit of a shame, but it was bound to happen at some point. Wonder how long they'll keep supporting the 3DS at this rate.
I’ll miss walking into stores and seeing the 3DS section. Such a great dedicated handheld console. I hope there’s a true successor
Ironically I bought Fire Emblem Awakening today after cancelling my Super Mario Deluxe preorder. So I’ve dusted off my system. A great library. But that may be my last purchase.
Also on topic:
https://thehardtimes.net/harddrive/teary-eyed-mom-reminds-children-this-may-be-last-christmas-with-3ds/
Sad... I'll honestly miss that dual screen system. 3DS has always been my favorite console. I still pick it up from time to time. Alas, all great things come to an end. I'm pretty sure extra epic yarn will likely be my last purchase for the system. Sigh...
Game over...
cast your votes guys:
1. Nintendo will release a new handheld only (non-Switch related) console.
2. Nintendo will release a cheaper handheld only version of the Switch.
or. 3. Nintendo says: "just buy a Switch already, our games are there now".
Take your pick. (I vote 2)
It's not that I've ditched my 3DS, I still play it at least once a week, but I'm just not really interested in buying new games for it anymore.
@GregimusPrime74 True, same here I'll be playing 3DS games for the coming years at least. But the new games really disappoint me, so I'll skip those.
I've been playing my 3ds a bit lately as I picked up a link between worlds on boxing day but I'm really not interested in picking up new full priced releases for the system. It doesn't need to die just yet, Nintendo can just keep adding old titles to the selects list.
Please shift all efforts to Switch, Nintendo. Would have loved Luigi’s Mansion, Yoshi’s Woolly World, and Kirby’s Epic Yarn ports for Switch instead (but I get that downgrading them to 3DS is easier than upgrading them to Switch unless they’d be straight VC style ports with original graphics, but look at Captain Toad).
I love my 3DS still, and I won’t be letting it collect dust any time soon with the backlog I have on it.
But...in terms of stuff being developed on it, or sales, it’s probably time to move on.
every new 3DS game should also have a Switch port, like with Capt Toad and Sushi Striker. The fact that Nintendo doesn't do that is asinine.
Whats more asinine? Atlus still not releasing Persona Q2 for a dead console more than 2 years after the Switch launch
Not surprising. The Switch is already a good substitute for the japanese way of life and with being able to be played on the go, the Switch also fits nicely in the small japanese appartments. I think Nintendo will refocus now on the Switch, given the data.
I love my 3ds but its losing more and more appeal as the Switch is basically an inhouse competitor. Theres few releases on it at this point. I think last year I only bought luigis mansion and Wario Ware. With Pokemon and fire emblem moving on and the new 3ds line not getting alot of support (like FE warriors games and xenoblade) i think 2019 is its last year as a live console. Kirby and persona Q 2 only things post Bowsers inside story that interest me.
Leave the GCN and Wii ports for the Switch. The last excellent 3DS game I bought was Samus Returns.
Bring all the 3DS games to the Eshop (switch) see massive sales rise lol.
I'm more than happy with the current 3DS library so even if it doesn't get any more new games i'm fine with it.
If i could ask for one last thing it would be Persona Q2 english but aside from that i think the 3DS had a very good run.
Still need to clear my backlog though...
Well. Two things. Yeah. 3DS is old. Second...these are just remakes/rereleases of old games.
They should have been on switch.
"Nintendo has repeatedly said that support for the 3DS will continue, but how long will this realistically go on if sales continue to fall?"
Probably about as long as they said that after boxes of WiiU began showing bed sores on store shelves.
I honestly LOVE my 3DS. It's an amazing little device, and it is a LOT easier to justify shoving my 3DS in my pocket than my Switch. Don't get me wrong, the Switch is an amazing game machine, and I love mine, but it simply is not as easily portable as the 3DS due to size and no built in cover.
I don't feel like a doofus pulling out my 3DS at a restaurant while waiting on my food to be prepared, but I do feel weird pulling out my (huge in comparison) Switch. I look like I am going out of my way to have a portable game device when carrying the Switch around, but the 3DS is small enough to fit right in with my other always-on-me items like my phone, wallet, and keys.
In defense of 3DS, these games aren't exactly riveting. Remasters/ports of games nobody asked for, at least on the system, aren't gonna smash sales records. When that's all that's really coming out for the system now, it's hard to get excited for a new release
Those are all old rehashed games fans already played. Luigi Mansion was ¥5,378!...
No idea why the Nintendo community thinks it is strange that people not lining up to pay top dollar for every old port on a Nintendo system 🙄🙃
Yep. I thought Bowser's Inside Story would be the last first party game but then I remembered Kirby's Epic Yarn is coming too. That'll be the last.
I would not assume that late ports like these really were ever meant to make a killing.
As I see it, they exist primarily to make late adopters, and kids whose only Nintendo system so far has been a 3DS, aware that they NEED to have a Nintendo system going forward, as this is the kind of meaty experiences they can expect.
@Agramonte
They dont think it strange. They know exactly why. The platform is aging.
But it has nothing to do with price, of that I can assure you. The bulk of gamers are not nickel-nazis who have played every game ever made on every system and pledged an oath to never play them again no matter how much they loved them and no matter what the added benefits
Most people are just people, have only played 1% or less of the actual games out there, and adore seeing great games re-released on modern systems, especially when its breaking new ground as a first ever handheld or console version
Ya know it would be awesome if they didn't kill it but merely made a new upgraded one that could still play the entire library. Ya know like Apple does with it's iPhones.
@JoeDiddley Fantastic choice going with awakening. Enjoy it!
It is what it is. This is how things work. Early adopters, late adopters... ALL move to the new machine, including a company, eventually. Time to focus your business and resources squarely on the Switch, Nintendo.
Not surprising really, the system is really showing its age now. The surprising thing is that Nintendo are still trying to release new games for it.
Although they have been an odd selection of ports. Sales on Switch show that the mass market (outside the echo chamber of Internet forums endless whining about them) will eat up ports if well chosen and targeted. The likes of Luigis Mansion on 3DS is just (to those not interested in the technical reasons) odd.
The 3DS has sold nearly 25 million units in Japan. It is the 3rd highest selling gaming platform in Japan's history, behind the NDS and GB/GBC (which lasted 12+ years on the market).
It is clear that the 3DS has reached market saturation and that its best days are very much over.
However, even with that taken into account, Mario & Luigi Bowser's Inside Story's performance is still absolutely pathetic. In fact, it might actually be the worst-selling Mario game of all time (or at least it's certainly up there). Its opening week sales are only slightly above that of Sushi Striker.
Well why you buy games for the 3DS? when you got the Switch?
It's like buying Game Boy Color games over Game Boy Advance ones, plus the fact the Switch doubles as a home console it makes sense it would be selling more then the 3DS( or should be 2DS? seeing as the 3D feature isn't really a thing anymore )
I would of prefer Luigi's mansion remake on the Switch, at least we got the 3rd game t come.
All that Said.. the 3DS is still doing quite well considering it should of been discontinued by now.
If the Switch fit in your pocket and was more protected then I would ditch the 3DS. The 3DS is much better suited for gaming on the go and my nearly 7 year old original 3DS is in better condition than my nearly 2 year old Switch which hasn’t even left the house and the screen is coming away so you can’t even take it out of the dock to play.
@anglon So do that for the 5th time, you mean?
DS > DS Lite > DSi > 3DS > New 3DS > ??
Nah, let the form factor and line rest in peace.
Kind of funny sales are down... since there are no consoles that I can kind to purchase!! My son is finally at the age he can enjoy the 3ds I was so excited! To find there are none anywhere for purchase:( so ya I guess get some consoles in stock somewhere or kill it already:( I have more than one child so the switch is not the most convenient for my household. Something more personal would have been great since the only thing he wanted for Christmas was a new Mario game. Granted my first generation wii is still running... it is not a portable.
Kid Icarus uprising forever.
No big surprise, but hardly a disappointment. The 3DS has had a great life span with tons of evergreen titles, and can stick to the sidelines while the Switch takes the spotlight (as a budget option, with the system iteration and its games being relatively cheap compared to home console) or just retire with the dignity of a mostly healthy lifespan, save for its... I'll say "humble" beginnings.
On the games front, the recent releases were good choices either way. Older ports of popular titles would draw SOME sort of audience, but they're not built from the ground up, so resources are saved. No major losses, and those interested get to either revisit old games, or try them out for the first time.
I should mention I'm concerned for Wario Ware since I don't think Gold did great, and that was going to be used to gauge interest in the series. Hopefully the rest of the game sales are looked at. If it came short of expectations, it's likely more of a 3DS problem than a lack of interest in the series.
Good. Lets be honest a 240p system even for handheld is very bad. People moved to Switch which is the better system. Well done Switch. Keep it up. Now we might get true Legend of Zelda Ocarina remaster. 3Ds was cute, but not at N64 quality. Something was missing
@JaxonH Not like any of the old ports on Switch did well from OCT to DEC either. Warlords barely moved 20K - there was simply more exciting games out. That it sold 1 million copies once upon a time in japan did not matter.
Sure some not played them - but they also not played the exciting shinny new game out now either. And price is always a consideration - Time and Money go hand in hand for just about every type of entertainment.
That the 3DS is at end of life, sure. But these two old ports not selling is not a barometer for much.
And if those last few titles would have appeared on the switch....bingo gold mine!
I really want samus returns on the switch!
Great memories. Great fun. Great library still to enjoy. I love the 3ds
To be fair the new mario & luigi is a remake of a DS game which you can play pretty good on a 3ds.
One other reason why Luigi's Mansion didn't sell well is because some people already played it on the Gamecube so they decide not to get it.
I'd really love to see Nintendo adopt a dual screen Switch variation once they end the 3DS. Games like Etrian Odyssey and a port of Starfox Zero (shut up...I can dream) can't be at their optimal without 2 screens.
No wonder here, have noticed the same with my massive catalog only under ten interesting games nowadays, death is inevitable.
2019 will probably be the 3DS's last year then. Hey, it had a great run, and arguably kept Nintendo going during some of it's darkest days. It's going to always hold a special place in my heart though, it has some of the best Nintendo games out there.
Remember when Nintendo said that the Gameboy and DS lines would continue alongside one another? Yeah, it doesn't work that way. And I'm sure Nintendo knew this would happen - they just wanted to squeeze out every last penny.
On the bright side, no more 3DS remakes that we really wanted on Switch.
People keep saying that Luigi's Mansion should have been on Switch. I think the main two reasons it isn't; one, Dark Moon was a 3DS title and a well received one at that. Two, Luigi's Mansion on GameCube was made with 3D in mind. I find it sort of poetic that it ended up on 3DS.
I still play my 3ds but with that said eight years is a good strong run. I won't be upset when they put it to bed
It's going to hurt for a long time that the original (and best) Luigi's Mansion was demade on the 3ds rather than being remade on Switch.
Also painful that the Captain Toad port was put on both systems when Luigi's Mansion wasn't given that luxury.
Nintendo releases superior portable console. Surprised inferior console from 10 years ago is under performing....
well good its about time. put it out of its misery n focus on the switch. nintendo milked it beyond death already
I still play mine, but haven't been purchasing games since Samus Returns and Ultra Sun. I kinda want Luigis Mansion, maybe when it get discounted (haven't played any Luigis Mansion games).
Ok ...but people..LUIGI'S MANSION HAS NEVER BEEN A SUCCESSFUL SERIES.
I mean, come on...put your feet on the ground
I don't find the sales for the Bowser's Inside Story remake too shocking TBH. Besides being a rerelease, it also, as a DS game, is more than playable on any 2/3DS unit.
That said, this isn't too surprising in general. I love both of my 3DS systems, and they've had a solid run on the market after a rocky start. But like most other pieces of tech, consumers and the industry are shifting to newer and (in some opinions) better things.
Personally, I still plan on playing my sizable 3/DS library for years to come and am still picking up games for it.
I love the 3DS. Truly my favorite system from Nintendo. I don't mind Nintendo moving to focus solely on the Switch, but I'll be buying and playing 3DS games long into the future.
Gee, maybe the games are the problem? Luigi's Mansion was a dud for the Gamecube. Why would it be any different for the 3DS? But Nintendo Life says the games aren't selling because the 3DS is on the decline. Maybe the games aren't selling because they suck?
@JackEatsSparrows haha nah dude I just don’t want to rebuy any of these games again. I’ve bought FZero like 4 times or something. No more.
I still play Badge Arcade every day. The Switch is great but will never replace the 3DS in my heart... At least not until the Switch gets smaller, streetpass and 3D.
Here's the thing about a system like the 3DS. It's a forever console. By that, I mean that it is the console, controller, and display all in one which means that as long as you have the game cartridges, you should be able to continue to play and enjoy it 20+ years from now. That means that even after it is not supported, it can continue on as an existing platform for people to enjoy, and I expect it will. Parents will pass theirs down to their children and so on.
Think about it. The system has a HUGE library of games that honestly don't suffer from age because they never were designed to be graphically amazing. Think about it, all of the Pokemon games will be just as good 20 years from now on the 3DS as they are today.
Personally, this makes me want to increase my 3DS game library to be honest.
8 years from March. Thats one heck of a run, but as more and more gamers are jumping over to Switch, less people have an excuse to go back to their 3DS. You can say its because ports/remakes all you like, but how many "Switch port" request posts have there been?
As stated, the 3DS had a long great run, but now its time it ride into the sunset and join the other formar handhelds in the retirement home.
I love the 3DS. It's one of my favourite and most played systems of all time. That being said, I haven't touched it once since the Switch released. Time to move on.
@LukeLand I hope so too.
Also please bring P3 (Portable + FES content), P4G and P5R to Switch in 2019
Pleeeeeaaaaaaasssseee
Is this really a surprise? I mean just about all the analysis and Nintendo fans predicted this, it seems like everybody was well aware that public interest in new 3DS games was dwindling besides Nintendo. I don't know why they thought people would want to keep buying new games for an ancient portable console forever, but clearly that isn't the case. Maybe they should be releasing less games on the 3DS and more games on the Switch, you know, the console that actually has a future.
I love my switch which I got on launch day 03/03/17 - forever etched in my memory.
At that time I got rid of my New 3DS XL a couple of months later to a friend.
Lately I have been considering getting a 2ds XL for the extended battery life and smaller form factor. Specifically so I can use it bike packing. Play in tent before bed and charge with dynamo/solar panels during day
You're comparing two remake/releases with two (for their time) completely new titles.
I mean, the 3DS is destined for obsolescence (if not already there) with the Switch out now.
"but how long will this realistically go on if sales continue to fall?"
It depends on how close some projects are to completion. Maybe some devs have been working on projects for months/years and those games will eventually be released, but the number of games is expected to fall sharply soon
I still love my 3DS and love that it has virtual console on there. Never tire of seeing the little mini consoles spinning round in 3D. However I haven't been able to justify £35 on some of the new games though. It's perfect for commuting and has such a great library. I also don't like that the 3DS was dropped a while back in favour of the 2DS line with most games leaving out the 3D all together. If they'd make some of the titles more budget I'd happily pick more up. If Luigi's Mansion had released at £25 not £35 I'd have been in. Same with yoshis wooly world. Captain toad on switch only cost me £26 on launch day.
I still use my 3DS since it was my First machine i started to play Original games.
Recently, i have a Japanese New 3DS LL on 11 November 2018.
My journey of Exclusive Japanese 3DS games has begun.
I can see the Twilight age of 3DS, so i will set my quota for Japanese 3DS games until 30 games by Maximum.
If they aren't going to ever bring out Advance Wars 3DS they may as well just kill the system. I can't believe the amount of wasted potential.
Guys I hate to say this but the thing is the instant the Wii U came out people claimed Nintendo should kill it, and now that your claiming the same for the 3DS I'm going to guess at least one more year of exclusives for it.
For all my fellow collectors, start watching discount bins for lots of great 3DS games. For example, recently at Target in MURICA, they had games like Hey Pikmin, Fire Emblem Echoes/Warriors, Miitopia, Monster Hunter Stories, and Yoshi/Poochi on sale for as low as $12 brand new. With these declining sales, retailers are likely to start liquidating stock to make room on shelves for more Switch space. The end of the console's life is a fabulous time to stock up on games to play in the future. Must have picked up about 10 Wii U games dirt cheap in early 2017.
@PharoneTheGnome agreed. The 3ds is a different kind of portable. Think tablet vs. cell phone. I still dig the 3ds.
@RootsGenoa Streetpass was all kinds of greatness...
Lets be honest. If they bring these to switch. I along with many others would buy it. 3ds in my eyes is dead. And i wont touch anything related. No matter how good. Because im a mother fuggen swtich boy now
@mercgentz tiny metal switch or wargroove. Take ya pick on switch
@CharlieSmile Epic Yarn is the only upcoming 3DS game in Japan. Not just first party, it's the only one altogether.
@Blitzenexx that's exactly what people forget. While Superstar Saga was a GBA game, therefore not playable on 3DS, Bowser's inside story is a DS game that I'm sure can be found for cheap second hand if someone was desperate to play it before the remake
Finally! Now all of the developers of new games can fully commit to a single platform, the Switch, and yet they can still sell 3DS' classics and 3DSs without issue, for anyone who's trying to catch up on their 3DS library (or for anyone who wants a cheaper system/games than the Switch offers). Everybody wins!
@BlueBlur101 I'd of course love to have all of the Persona games on Switch but the only way we're going to get Q2 localized is on the 3DS.
I'm guilty of this, too. I don't really touch my 3DS anymore, except to check up on my town in Animal Crossing: New Leaf every week (and even doing that is spotty, especially if I don't get a day off from work).
@LukeLand Q2 would be great. I'm really only familiar with Q because I've read the manga adaptations, but nevertheless I'd be happy for those that were waiting. I usually just go for the mainline titles when I'm in the Persona mood. I've particularly been playing P4G and P5 obsessively now. Still waiting on that Smash gameplay reveal
I wonder if this means no one wants a 4DS smart device. Sigh.
Haven’t touched my 3DS since the round of Sega Ages games hit. Ok Add a few months to the very last ages release! But not since!
I'll forever hold onto my 3ds for pocket card jockey alone unless of course the devs would like to port it to the switch
@BlueBlur101 I love the Persona series especially 3, 4 Golden, & 5. I am so hoping we will see ports of those on the Switch but we'll see. I was so hopeful with the Persona R reveal but who knows at this point but I think we'll at lease get 5 at some point. I am also looking forward to playing as Joker in Smash.
Not surprised. It had a good run. But it's time to move on, as far as brand new releases. Some of these remakes (Luigi's Mansion, Kirby) should definitely have been on Switch instead, or at the very least simultaneously with 3DS, like Captain Toad.
I still play my 3DS now and then. For me, Switch and 3DS fill different niches, if that makes sense. Switch is the "shiny new console" for the newest "big" games and multiplayer. 3DS is the rugged "Ol' Reliable" that I take with me for quick, easy playing. For example, passing by a few minutes waiting in a car, or on long trips.
I do love my 3DS believe me but if a game hooks me, I’m going to keep playing it no matter what system it’s on. Right now that game is Dark Souls and let me tell you I’m not stopping until I beat that one. I’m over 70 hours in I think.
Once I beat that I may have no problem picking my 3DS back up to play perhaps Yoshi Wooly World or even some of those NES games I ALREADY PAID FOR and don’t need an internet check-in once a week.
But realistically, yes the 3DS will die someday and that’s very sad to me. It’s undoubtedly my favorite system— yes even over Switch.
While I could see Nintendo stopping support for 3DS, I could see 3DS as still a good place for indies to get started in. It may be hard since most of the attention is on Switch these days, but 3DS still has a good install base, so if you release a quality indie game on the cheap, and advertise the heck out of it, could potentially get some decent success
I owned 5 3DS units over the years, and put thousands of hours into the device. But I have serious trouble going back to it while I have the Switch. I used to literally carry it around with me everywhere. I collected over 5000 streetpass, and even managed to collect every prefecture in Japan and almost every single Birthday. (I think I am missing, like 3 at most)
It is not old enough to feel nostalgic, but it is certainly old enough to feel obsolete. The smaller screen, the low resolution picture, the more limited, smaller controls...
Part of me does wish Nintendo had gone with an "HD-DS" with full backward compatibility and continuing Streetpass support. But that ship has sailed.
I certainly am not going to "ditch" my 3DS though. It's just sitting on the shelf, waiting for the day I feel nostalgic toward it, like my Gamecube, N64, Game Boy and GBA.
@DeltaPeng Install base only means something if the owners are buying games for the devices, which the numbers show very few 3DS owners still are.
Indies have already built a reputation of selling several times more on the Switch anyways. If a game is released on both the Switch and 3DS like Curse of the Moon then it's selling more on the Switch.
@DK-Fan Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon sold over 5 million copies worldwide though
With Switch being the hot new toy it makes sense 3DS sales will go down. Though I still imagine Nintendo will support it till it reaches the 10 year mark though. Any games after that, if any will probably just be the occassional third party offering.
If that is the case at least it wasn't like Vita that was killed by Sony itself.
The screen size and resolution makes it very hard to go back to after becoming accustomed to the Switch. I love my 3DS, but it's gathering dust, quite literally.
@gortsi: That's ironically what I've considered doing (getting the game secondhand) as I've been wanting to try the M&L series. I'll probably just pick up the remake at a later date at this point.
@Andrew5678 WW Gold did pretty well by late 3DS standards (at least in Japan). It was the only new 3DS game for 2018 to break 100k sales (the tracker with them ot up-to-date numbers has it at 136k as of Week 51). The amount of marketing Nintendo is giving 4 months after release (bi-weekly charater trailers, cross-promotion with Band Brothers P in October and an interview with the VAs in the February 2019 of Nintendo Dream magazine) would also indicate to me the company is satisfied with its performance.
It was only a matter of time. My final 3DS game will be Yokai Watch 3 - thankfully, it is a great experience and I predict more than 200 hours of gameplay at this point (4th highest on the system), so at the very least it will be a really nice farewell.
It's overdue really. Lower the thing in price as far as possible and pop the games down to the $20 point and do it as a kids budget box with the New 2DSXL line or something. I've barely touched mine since the Switch arrived. I got Metroid and fun but never played it very deep, same can be said with Mario & Luigi SSS. The last one I did was a 1/2 off ($20) Ultra Sun which is lots of fun, but I just peck away at it. Switch uses the time I have, NIntendo needs to budget box it or box it up for the big sleep.
I actually bought a New 2DS XL last week (I've had an old 3DS since launch) basically because I'm worried the price will go up if the system is discontinued. The 3DS has had an excellent run and these last few releases have been great. I'll be honest and say that I'd be fine if support continues for a little while longer, the system is down to less than $150 for the latest and best model which for how great the game library will definitely be worth it, at least until the Switch maybe starts having more used consoles out there, it's a pretty big investment to get a Switch right now so I think the 3DS still has its place.
@Mr_Pepperami oh god yeah. Could you imagine all 3 Luigis mansion games on the switch and I'd love for an upgraded bowsers inside story too aswell as the collection of professor Layton games. So many top quality titles on the DS and 3DS.
@AxeltheBuizel The Mii will never die.
>Doesn't release new games
>> "sales are dropping off"
@Mailman I got SMT: Strange Journey Redux on Ultimate launch day for $30.
It shows that Nintendo has trouble juggling more than one ball at a time.
3ds sales are low because Nintendo has all but abandoned the console. If you throw a few crumbs out a few birds will come, and that is all Nintendo has done with 3ds games.
Of course a consoles games do dry up, up to a year before a new console arrives. And that could be as soon as April.
The Switch is not the all new portable device a lot of folk suggest it is. It will not rival a smartphone for portability, the 3ds can. The Switch is as portable as the bag you carry, not the pocket you have. And I have never carried a bag, other than hand luggage on an occasional flight.
The new 3ds, Switch mini, switch lite, or switch 3d will be lighter with a bigger screen than the 3ds and will fit in a pocket and will use switch cards.
Shame. Loved this thing. I've taken it more places than I have my Switch (worried about losing SMO data to a drop).
Well they only released like 5 "new" games for the 3DS last year, and with the Switch being a more powerful portable to play games (with their being more Switch releases as well), this isn't surprising.
I still love playing on my 3DS (and personally think it's a better portable device).
Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story It's a game that you could already play vía backwards compatibility if you have the original DS version which you can also buy cheaper used so expecting amazing sales it's crazy
Remember that device that has been declared dead a thousand times on this site? Oh, but its still around...
@LukeLand I feel that Nintendo will announce a Switch version of P5R on their own terms
Now that they also have to show Joker's Smash gameplay, they can capitalize on that by ending the trailer with a Western release confirmation in the Jan. Or March Direct
This saddens me since I still use and love my new 3DS XL very much.
I own all DS and 3DS consoles and I never play them, some are still brand new in wrapping!!! ... I don't like portable gaming anyway, and they ruined a few games I want in it instead of the Switch ... Luigi's Mansion 1 and 2 need to come to Switch and Metroid SR needs it as well... The DS needs to die off now.
It's a shame but nintendo isn't really trying. 3DS is still overpriced, there is no marketing or ads for 3ds titles and even the software is expensive. I play a lot of yokai watch 3 lately and it's my favorite game in the entire 3ds library. I coudn't find it anywhere, so I bought it digital. I feel bad that only a few gamers will play it.
I am a bit baffled that Epic Yarn and Luigi's Mansion aren't double releases. Sushi Striker was and that was a no-name, doomed to "hidden gems" lists 10 years from now.
It's been nearly 9 years, people are moving onto the Switch (most of the gaming group i'm in moved onto the Switch on launch, but still occasionally play 3DS)
It's surprising me (and others) that games re-releasing on the 3DS form Nintendo's past (Luigi's Mansion and Epic Yarn) are not also coming to the Switch, Captain Toad is one such title to double re-release.
Personally, they should just put the 3DS out to retire now. It's had an epic run, it's got a fantastic library of games available for just about everyone.
I’ve played hundreds of hours on my 3DS with like 100-200 hrs on Pokemon picross alone. It’s been good to me. That being said, the sooner Nintendo kills it, the sooner my Switch can be my one and only handheld
Inevitable, and will accelerate once Nintendo release a dedicated Switch portable.
I adored my 3DS and took it everywhere. Once I got my Switch, it never left my dresser leaving a few games unfinished. I eventually gave it away to a relative with over 30 games preloaded including Smash, various Pokemon, various Legend of Zeldas (new and old) etc. I have exclusively used the Switch as a handheld only utilizing the dock to charge while I continued to play when notified about low power.
This is hardly a surprise. What I don't understand is why Nintendo didn't see this coming and chose to release a new Wario Ware and Kirby's Epic Yarn on the system. Why not put them on the Switch?
@TheVGMLover U sure? I'm pretty sure that Nintendo has made the Switch away from using them as often as they once were. The Mii's impact on games now are Micro, and I'm sure Wii'll see a decline in them.
Haven’t touched my 3DS in some time. It was a great console & I played The heck out of it. Too many games on Switch for me to go back to 3DS. I finished up the last few games I had in my back catalog. Only reason I haven’t sold it yet is because of my Pokémon games. If they were to be released on Switch, my 3DS would be up on eBay in a second.
Though I still love the DS and 3DS family of system, I too had to move on with my gaming and Switch is where it's at but I do return to the two screen wonder for some good time classics from time to time like Metroid Prime Hunters, Radiant Historia, Phantasy Star Zero, Fire Emblem Awakening, Resident Evil Revelations, Tales of the Abyss, Kingdom Hearts 3: Drop Drop Distance, the Castlevania DS trilogy, Dragon Quest Monsters Joker 2, Dead or Alive Dimensions, Henry Hatsworth among other fun games.
I still have my 3DS XL units but I won't sell them because of the slow sales there are games that I still want on them unless the new Switch comes with support for 2DS/3DS games port option for those games in Future Switch models. Then and only then but then again all the saved games on the 3DS aren't able to move so that eliminates that migration factor.
@AxeltheBuizel Even if it were the case that Miis would stop showing up in games (Which isn't happening yet. Switch is still getting games where you can at least play as your Mii if you want), Miis are still Nintendo's main avatars for users, and to simply replace them now would make no sense, would likely cost resources, considering they're also used in MyNintendo, and it would just be a tragedy all around.
@TheVGMLover I was being sarcastic. I was sneaking in the names of Nintendo systems as a joke since originally I thought kill Mii would make more sense then kill me in this context.
It's not been a slow death, it is by every context dead! You can't rely on the roughly 100,000 active users to keep supporting the thing. Even Wii U had more active users in its final year than this thing has today!
@CharlieSmile I think you'll most likely be correct. Wouldn't be the first time in which a kirby game was the last first party release on a Nintendo system.
I totally called it. I told everyone that new games are now bombing, and tanking in sales, yet so many argued with me. That's because people buying the 3DS now are mostly owners replacing broken systems, not buying it for the first time. Nintendo is completely delusional thinking the 3DS user base is expanding, their massively shrinking software sales show the user base is contracting, and it has been for the last 2 years, ever since the Pokemon Go hype wore off.
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