Hardly anyone predicted this outcome.
Is anyone else annoyed by the fact that the New Nintendo 3DS XL is selling for anywhere between $300 and $400 used?
As a comparison, Sony hasn't released a portable handheld since 2011, but you can easily find a PlayStation Portable or PlayStation Vita for anywhere between $100 and $150.
You can also purchase a brand new Nintendo Switch 2 for $449.99, or a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition for $399.99.
Although the 3DS in general was popular with 75.94 million units shipped, it was quickly downgraded to niche status shortly after the Nintendo Switch was released in 2017.
Brand new 3DS games sat on store shelves for years while the Switch and its various games were frequently sold out.
Even the COVID-19 pandemic that drove more people to gaming couldn't boost 3DS software sales. I used this as an opportunity to purchase games for dirt cheap.
Some sellers even had trouble selling unused New Nintendo 3DS XL's for their original MSRP of $199.99 USD.
Due to a stale video game industry, gamers are now flocking to the 3DS to play its exclusive or enhanced titles (most of which feature autostereoscopic 3D effects). My top 15 favorite titles in no particular order are as follows:
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Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
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Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon.
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Luigi's Mansion.
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Kirby: Planet Robobot.
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Kirby: Triple Deluxe.
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Mario Kart 7.
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Metroid: Samus Returns.
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Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
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Pokémon X & Y.
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Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
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Resident Evil Revelations.
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Super Mario 3D Land.
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The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D.
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The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.
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The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D.
I suspect that Pokémon Legends: Z-A for the Switch and Switch 2, which features Mega Evolution Pokémon, are inspiring new fans to play the Mega Evolution Pokémon games on the 3DS.
If Nintendo relaunched the 3DS and its eShop in 2026, it would thrive! They could probably even manufacture the handheld for as low as $59.99 and sell core titles for $19.99. Given the state of things, they made a huge mistake shutting down the 3DS' eShop on March 27, 2023.