The coronavirus outbreak has created a lot of chaos since it was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. On the gaming front, it's made certain systems like the original model Nintendo Switch near impossible to buy.
In Japan last week, we heard how one local retailer ran an online lottery to simply purchase Nintendo's hybrid system and it overloaded the company's server. With the Switch out of stock everywhere at the moment due to ongoing demand and supply chain issues, the 3DS is now seeing a resurgence in sales, but it's come at a price – quite literally.
According to price tracker Kakaku, local retailers have gone from selling the New 2DS XL for as low as 10,000 yen (about $93 USD) in January to 13,775 yen (roughly $129 USD) this month. While it's nowhere near as bad as what scalpers are asking for certain systems, it's still enough to illustrate the increased demand. This follows on from Japanese retailers reducing the price of the dedicated handheld in 2019, due to a drop in sales.
One game that's getting a real workout during this period is Ring Fit Adventure. Chinese buyers were reportedly to blame for the global shortages, and since then it's been increasingly hard to find a copy. On websites like eBay, copies of the game have been going for almost three times the recommended retail price.
Just yesterday, Nintendo promised more Switch consoles were on the way and apologised for any inconvenience.
Have you considered purchasing a 3DS model during this period of home isolation? Leave a comment below.
[source switchsoku.com, via gonintendo.com]
Comments 38
Phew....
Glad i have THREE Nintendo 3DS machines at home. 😄
One is Old 3DS XL USA (Pink Rose & White)
One is New 3DS XL USA (Pearl White)
One is new 3DS LL Japan (Pearl White too)
I wanna get New 2DS XL PAL Australia (White Orange) on this year.
I have one and an unopened back up....
Some people still want 3DS? Surprised, thought everyone who wanted one would have bought one by now.
I have 4x 3ds xl in different colors 3 are new and one i use regularly but the 3d tilting functions dont work properly despite calibration. Lucky i have these now as i hated the 2ds and xl models and 3ds xl you cannot buy new anywhere in Australia except ebay and amazon.
I still pull out my new 3ds systems. I wish they would make a new model maybe close in power to the wii u. I know some people hated the dual screens and the glasses free 3d but I am not one of them. The new face tracking camera did wonders to the functionality of the 3d. I just started to play xenoblade chronicles 3d and yes its a down grade in graphics but the game runs great and is so much fun. Kind of wanted to finish the 3ds version before the switch version comes.
I really want to find a USA "New" 3DS/XL. Unfortunately even in Ebay is hard to find. That region lock was the dumbest thing about the 3ds.
Ahhh...I remember when I was like 5 years old and I loved playing SM3DL on the 3ds.Unfortunately,my younger sister broke it when she had it in her hand s and dropped it on the tiles.Then I bought another one 5 years later.Then my brother broke it the same way...F in the chat for my 2 3ds’...😔
@Zuljaras hopefully all those Japanese games will eventually come over to the USA/West.
@MarcusIsCool Right now I understand how unrelated my comment is to the article. I don't care about Japanese games I just want a USA region 3DS
@Zuljaras
Ok I understand better now. Have you had a 3ds before?? Or first time purchaser??
@MarcusIsCool 3DS XL, New 3DS XL, 2DS, New 2DS XL.
@Zuljaras good good!!
@Zuljaras Just hack it lol
@noswitchbutidc I thought about it but I have to research those hacks if they are permanent of they will be gone after system reset etc.
You all thought it was dead, but like a Martial Arts Hermit who disappeared into the mountains 15,000 years ago. A day was destined to come for it to reappear, stronger than ever.
Have 3 myself. Original black 3ds, Blue new 3ds xl and a very limited edition toad one that I win on club Nintendo a few years back.
“Just let the 3DS die, Nintendo”
“But people are still buying it!”
“Let it die”
“But we’re still making money from it!”
“Let it die”
“Why would we stopping selling something that’s making us mon...”
“Let it die”
“...”
It just goes to prove beyond any doubt that gamers want Nintendo games more than ever even if means a step back to get them for a while. That’s the power of Nintendo.
@JayJ a good game is a good game and 3ds has loads of good games, which are cheaper than Switch and also not available on Switch. So why not?
It’s not like when the followup is in stores that the older device is instantly unplayable. 3DS is also the last of the dualscreen devices and therefore unique.
I got like four 3DS, two PS Vita, three PSP, five DS, five GBA, and 2 Switch, I think I'll survive the pandemic.
It’s been two weeks since I just so happen to go to a store that had just gotten a fresh shipment of Switch’s. Haven’t regretted my purchase! It’s rekindled my love for games!
The 3DS is still one of the greatest handhelds, I own 6 models. I always wished Nintendo had made the swansong 2DS XL a more premium model with high-res screens and longer battery life, it would have been timeless. As it is, the 2DS XL is great but the battery life is awful. My go to 3DS is my N3DS with attached mugen power bank, the battery life is insane on that thing.
I own more than one 3DS, a habit I seem to have with handhelds so when one is charging I simply play on the other console.
At least the price hasn't gone up as much as Switch or Ring Fit Adventure. I'm trying to think positive for a change.
@Zuljaras they'll be gone when you reset.
@noswitchbutidc Damn! I hope for a more permanent solution that is why I look for USA New 3DS
I don't blame anyone wanting to try a 2/3DS at this time. The system library and backwards compatibility are amazing! My systems still see some occasional use.
OG Black 3DS, and 2DS XL Orange and White. Althiugh I only own two so my wife (and kids when they are older) can join in the fun. MK7 lives
Play mine every day throughout the day. Switch did not replace it for me as the best handheld ever. They will never be another perfect storm of backwards compatibility plus extensive virtual and eShop games ever again.
that's nice but once Switch stock is replenished nobody will think twice about buying a 3DS
The 3DS is the best videogame console of all time, apart from the Switch.
It has Super Mario 3D Land, Dragon Quest VIII, Zelda Ocarina of Time, Star Fox 64 and Ridge Racer. Enough said!
Still play my 3ds regularly. Also have a huge backlog remaining on the system. It's so good
@Zuljaras Just keep it and don't factory reset it?
@hendie001 the 3ds that is close to power of the WiiU is the Switch ....
@TheWingedAvenger I agree 100%. I have owned most consoles since the Atari 2600 days (the NES was what made me fall in love with gaming), and there is still just something so special about the 3ds. My PS4 gets occasional use, but the 3ds gets the majority of my gaming time.
I have always been intrigued with handhelds. On a whim I got the Wii U six mmonths after launch. A few months later got a 3ds on impulse.
Had I not done that back then, I think I absolutely would be getting a 3ds right right now.
The 3DS is a still a great system...
Just bought most of retro Sega 3D offerings on the current sale.
$2.99 for theses classic games (Outrun, Space Harrier) w/ 3D support is a steal.
I love the 3DS. I bought one the first week they came out. Then I bought a New 3DS when they first released. Then I bought another one because I wanted the galaxy design. Then I bought a New 2DS just for giggles. I almost bought a fifth one in Japan, so that I could play Japanese games, but then I realized I couldn't really name any Japanese games I both wanted and could realistically play considering I can't read Japanese. My 3DS systems are going to get a lot of use, probably at least for another two years as I work my way through my backlog of RPG's and Fire Emblem games.
@Zuljaras they are NOT gone upon reset (as with 660 on psp) they're perm. but can be removed intentionally. if you want to restore to factory. The NTR method is the easiest IMO but there are free versions.
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