Did Nintendo Discontinue the 3DS?

The Nintendo 3DS was officially discontinued on September 16, 2020, marking the end of an era for the handheld console. The discontinuation of the 3DS was a result of the Nintendo Switch‘s massive success, which led to the 3DS and Wii U being eclipsed by the new console, ultimately leading to the end of their “natural life cycle”.

Introduction to the 3DS Discontinuation

The Nintendo 3DS was a groundbreaking handheld console that brought 3D gaming to the masses, and its discontinuation has left many fans wondering what this means for their favorite games and console.

FAQs About the 3DS Discontinuation

General Questions

1. Is Nintendo still making 3DS?: No, the Nintendo 3DS was discontinued in 2020, and Nintendo has shifted its focus to the Nintendo Switch.
2. Why is Nintendo shutting down 3DS?: The 3DS was discontinued due to the Nintendo Switch‘s success, which led to the 3DS and Wii U being eclipsed by the new console.
3. Is Nintendo 3DS going away in 2023?: The Nintendo eShop for the 3DS and Wii U closed on March 27, 2023, marking the end of an era for the consoles.

3DS and Wii U eShop Closure

4. Did the Nintendo 3DS shut down?: The Nintendo 3DS eShop closed on March 27, 2023, and online play and other functionality will end in early April 2024.
5. When did the 3DS eShop close?: The 3DS eShop closed on March 27, 2023, and it is no longer possible to purchase games digitally from the eShop.

Online Play and Functionality

6. Can 3DS still go online?: Online play and other functionality that uses online communication will end for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software in early April 2024.
7. Can you still play 3DS online 2023?: Online play will still be available for titles you already own, but it will end in early April 2024.

Game Purchases and Compatibility

8. Can you still buy 3DS games?: No, it is no longer possible to purchase games digitally from the 3DS eShop, which closed on March 27, 2023.
9. Can you play 3DS games on Switch?: No, Nintendo 3DS and Wii U games purchased through Nintendo eShop do not carry over to Nintendo Switch.

Support and Updates

10. How long will the 3DS be supported?: Most Internet functionality will be discontinued in April 2024, with the exception of Pokémon Bank and the ability to redownload previously purchased software.
11. Can you still update 3DS games?: Yes, you can still update 3DS games, but digital games and DLC are the only things that can no longer be downloaded without hacking.

Nintendo DS and 2DS

12. Are DS games discontinued?: Yes, Nintendo has ended production on all DS handhelds, and the entire line is now inaccessible in its original form.
13. Is the 2DS discontinued?: Yes, the Nintendo 2DS was discontinued in Japan in 2019 and in the rest of the world in 2020, along with the other systems in the Nintendo 3DS family.

Game Compatibility and Accounts

14. Can a 3DS play DS games?: Yes, you will be able to play most Nintendo DS games on your Nintendo 3DS, with some exceptions.
15. Can I have 2 3DS with the same account?: No, it is not possible to link the same Nintendo Network account to multiple Wii U or multiple Nintendo 3DS family systems at the same time.

Conclusion

The discontinuation of the Nintendo 3DS marks the end of an era for the handheld console, but Nintendo fans can still enjoy their favorite games on the Nintendo Switch. With the eShop closure and end of online play, 3DS owners will have to adapt to a new way of playing their favorite games.