After nearly a decade of three-dimensional handheld entertainment, Nintendo has announced that it has officially discontinued the 3DS console. The news came on Thursday, September 17 as the gaming company shifts its focus to its newer and wildly popular Switch console. While the 3DS may be gone, fans are keeping its memory alive with heartfelt social media tributes.
On Thursday, Nintendo’s Japanese site announced the end of all 3DS production. Meanwhile, The Verge reports that the US site no longer contains any mention of the console.
Nintendo first released the 3DS in 2011 as a follow-up to its previous handheld console, the Nintendo DS. While the previous system’s claim to fame was its innovative dual-screen interface, the 3DS took the concept a step further by adding immersive 3D without the need for glasses.
While initial sales were slow, gamers praised the new 3D feature upon release. IGN‘s review called the gameplay experience “rich, immersive,” and “unlike anything we’ve seen before.” Similarly, CNET called it “a glasses-free 3D experience that needs to be seen to be believed.”
During its nine-year run, the 3DS shipped around 75 million units worldwide, selling more than 384 million games in the process.
However, CNN notes that these numbers are relatively low compared to other Nintendo consoles. The Nintendo DS, for example, sold a total of 154 million units during its run.
Meanwhile, the company’s current money-maker, the Nintendo Switch, has already shipped 61 million units as of June. It’s expected to surpass the 3DS’ total number of units shipped during the upcoming holiday season.
This is so sad I might actually cry lol. Today, it was announced that production of the Nintendo 3DS has officially been shut down.
— JoyConGod (@JoyConGod_) September 17, 2020
To celebrate the life of the 3DS/DS systems, quote retweet or reply with your FAVORITE 3DS and DS games!#3DS #Nintendo3DS #NintendoDirect #Mario pic.twitter.com/fkVCmRHMXI
Still, the device gained a devoted fan base of handheld gamers, many of whom are taking to social media this week to pay their respects.
“Feels like the death of an old friend,” one Reddit user wrote. “My 3DS got me through high school.”
Another user on the r/3DS subreddit vowed to carry on the system’s legacy. “A true legend that I hope will work for me in the next 20+ years (I need to show my future kids this console!)” they wrote.
The 3DS game library of over 1,000 games will still be available for purchase for those who wish to keep using the handheld system, said Nintendo.
“Nintendo and third-party games for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems will continue to be available in Nintendo eShop, Nintendo.com and at retail,” the company said, according to CNN.
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