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[Bullet Club]

Nintendo Finally Hints That It Has Ditched Game Development On The 3DS

Focus moves towards evergreen titles

The Nintendo 3DS has been on the brink of retirement for a while now, with sales plummeting and new game releases grinding to a halt as the new, fancy Switch takes over. If we're reading this correctly, which we're pretty sure we are, it would appear that Nintendo has finally admitted to that fact, too.

Ever since the Switch was released, Nintendo has time and time again expressed full commitment to the ageing handheld in official statements. We were glad about this - the 3DS is a cracking little machine with a wonderful library, after all - but its comments have been starting to feel more like a generic template as of late, with pretty little evidence to actually back up its claims.

Today, in the company's six months earnings report, Nintendo has said the following about the console:

"For the Nintendo 3DS family, we will continue to fully utilize the platform's rich software library to appeal to consumers purchasing game hardware for the first time, while continuing to drive sales of evergreen titles that leverage the hardware install base."

Reading between the lines, this suggests that game development won't continue on the 3DS, with Nintendo now opting to promote the console as a way for new gaming fans to be able to pick up a device with lots of great games already available.

It makes sense, too; Nintendo's report notes that during the six months ending 30th September 2019, 3DS hardware sales totalled 0.37 million units (which is a 62.9% decrease year-on-year), while software sales totalled 2.60 million units (a 58.5% decrease year-on-year). Compare that to the Switch - hardware sales reached 6.93 million units (36.7% increase year-on-year), while software sales reached 58.49 million units (38.8% increase year-on-year).

All good things must come to an end, and it looks like the 3DS' time as a current system is officially up.

Source: Nintendo Life

 

[MMaRsu]

And it fucking sucks since I recently bought one and fine the hardware amazing

 

[DetectiveBananas]

Does anyone foresee a home brew scene popping up in the next couple years?

 

[TLZ]

Good.

 

[TheDuskwalker]

No surprise there, sales for new 3DS games have been pretty poor since Switch's announcement, with the 2 Ultra Pokemon's and Yokai Watch 3 being the only hits IIRC.

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

Decent system with a decent library. I figured when they were pushing out all those Mario & Luigi remasters that Nintendo's involvement with the system was soon to end.

 

[Bullet Club]

And it fucking sucks since I recently bought one and fine the hardware amazing

There are lots of good games on the system already, you will be OK.

 

[MMaRsu]

There are lots of good games on the system already, you will be OK.

it depends on your tastes but sure

already bought the best 3ds games most of em anyway

 

[Birdo]

And it fucking sucks since I recently bought one and fine the hardware amazing

There is a massive back catalogue of games available that could last you years.

 

[Pagusas]

And it fucking sucks since I recently bought one and fine the hardware amazing

So you have almost a decade worth of games to play through on it, one of the largest game libraries in existence, and yet you still whine like a little chump? What the heck is wrong with you?

 

[Starlight Lotice]

I was hoping that SEGA would localise Puyo Puyo Chronicle before the 3DS is out of the shops entirely.

Sucks for hardare but smaller games should still thrive on it.

 

[Northeastmonk]

As someone who went 90% digital with the 3DS. I hate how they include SNES game(s) only for the New 3DS. As if the 3DS XL couldn’t handle SNES game(s). To make it worse they include those games on the eShop. I wish Nintendo cared more about their legacy software than just re-releasing NES game(s) all the time.

 

[MMaRsu]

So you have almost a decade worth of games to play through on it, one of the largest game libraries in existence, and yet you still whine like a little chump? What the heck is wrong with you?

One of the largest in existance? What GBA has way more games

 

[DunDunDunpachi]

One of the largest in existance? What GBA has way more games

No way friend, you have playable DS + 3DS + digital in one trim package. GBA can't hold a candle.

 

[nush]

One of the largest in existance? What GBA has way more games

"One of" is the quanitfier.

 

[Saber]

About time to ditch that slug piece of hardware.

 

[Javthusiast]

 

[Team Andromeda]

Its the Nintendo way

 

[kraspkibble]

should've ditched it back in 2017.

 

[Damien Crowley]

Does anyone foresee a home brew scene popping up in the next couple years?

Did you forget the /s?

 

[Kabelly]

The moment Pokemon and Animal Crossing were announced it was very clear.

 

[Petrae]

Pouring one out for the 3DS, the last of its kind. Machines made with portable video gaming in mind, that you can carry in your pocket and not need a backpack or messenger bag to lug around.

I’ll continue to play mine until it stops working. It’s been great for bringing to work and keeping in my pocket until break/lunch times.

 

[ValiantTraveler]

This doesn't bother me since the 3DS has a large library and I'm nowhere near beating all the games I'm interested in.

 

[Lionel Richie]

One of the largest in existance? What GBA has way more games

You can play GBA games natively on the 3DS if you homebrew it.

 

[Rodolink]

I just need to finish Luigis Mansion 2 and Bravely Default 1 and 2 to retire my 3DS

 

[DoctorEkkoUK]

What's a evergreen title? Super Mario Christmas tree maker?

 

[CuteFaceJay]

Sad times, I still enjoy catching them dank pokemanz on mine.

 

[levyjl1988]

I guess 3D is truly dead, to coincide with this my 2014 Samsung 3D TV died 2 days ago.

 

[zeorhymer]

Nintendo may abandon it, but I'm sure 3rd parties will still make games for it due to the huge user base.

 

[Javthusiast]

Nintendo may abandon it, but I'm sure 3rd parties will still make games for it due to the huge user base.

Have there been any released recently?

 

[Space Runaway]

Been well over a year since I've played a new game on the 3DS but I really enjoyed the system and if it's over, it had a good run.

 

[zeorhymer]

Have there been any released recently?

Here's a few for 2020:

• Shakedown Hawaii
• Timespinner
• Shovel Knight: King of Cards
• Super Mighty Power Man
• The Great Ace Attorney 2
• League Of Evil
• RISE: Race The Future

Not sure how good any of these are.

 

[Xaero Gravity]

So you have almost a decade worth of games to play through on it, one of the largest game libraries in existence, and yet you still whine like a little chump? What the heck is wrong with you?

Par for the course.

 

[BusierDonkey]

It's about time. I love my 3DS, and have owned 3 variations of the system, but they should have started the move to the Switch the day it launched and ended support within 6 months.

 

[JCK75]

I'd not mind seeing some 3DS games ported to switch now, Samus Returns and the Mario+Luigi games would be first on my wishlist.

 

[CamHostage]

Hints?? Look at the 3DS release charts this year, we hit Q1 and then the platform (un)officially called it quits, even in the indie development scene.
Nintendo 3DS Releases for 2019

They put out a Kirby game. Kirby. That's the fat lady singing, the time has come to take a bow and call it a night.

 

[Guardian's Light]

And it fucking sucks since I recently bought one and fine the hardware amazing

Not necessarily a bad thing, after all, there are enough games worth a shot for like 3-5 years of good stuff, plus, being a retired system, prices of its games could further diminish, so you'll be able to buy more stuff at less

I suggest to buy all in a row as many games as possible, among the ones you like the most, asap, to avoid the annoying shortage in physical shops

Basically an investment for your gaming future with the little 3d gem

 

[Portugeezer]

I don't need them to say anything, Pokemon is on Switch now which says it all.

 

[ROMhack]

Weird. What will they replace it with???

 

[Roufianos]

And it fucking sucks since I recently bought one and fine the hardware amazing

I just got a PS2 and the graphics blew my mind.

 

[Deleted member 738976]

Weird. What will they replace it with???

Well the Switch Lite I guess.

 

[gela94]

Finally!! Took them long enough.

 

[plushyp]

Powerful dedicated handhelds are slowly going the way of the dinosaur

Par for the course.

-Arcadia- you look.... different

 

[Xaero Gravity]

-Arcadia- you look.... different

 

[Starlight Lotice]

Powerful dedicated handhelds are slowly going the way of the dinosaur

The Vita seems to be the last bastion left for those of us who still buy their games physically.

Until then...

**People can still play these consoles even when the games are no longer being sold brand new. You can play them whenever and can replace them given there are over 70 million out there.

 

[EverydayBeast]

This is actually great for Nintendo, instead of getting stuck in dead mobile gaming they can focus on home consoles, Nintendo has always had multiple irons in the fire, they can focus on AAA, not rush, and release a sharp console.

 

[Bakkus]

Only real video game 'Hall of Fame' title on system was Kid Icarus Uprising, sadly.

 

[Dontspeakforme]

Good riddance.

 

[Wolfgang Jr]

I thought not releasing any good games for years was the hint?

 

[theclaw135]

I thought not releasing any good games for years was the hint?

Nintendo initially intended to continue the 3DS family.