Are they no longer making 3DS games?

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The production of Nintendo 3DS games has been discontinued as the company announced it was discontinuing production of the console in 2020 and the e-Shops for Wii U and 3DS shut down in 2023. Despite this, hard copies of 3DS games are still available at most game stores and can be purchased digitally while the eShop is still open, although this will no longer be an option after the shutdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

1. Is Nintendo discontinuing 3DS games?: Nintendo is no longer producing new 3DS games, but existing games can still be purchased physically or digitally until the eShop closure.
2. What year did they stop making 3DS games?: The Nintendo 3DS was discontinued in 2020, marking the end of new game production for the console.

Nintendo 3DS and eShop

3. Is Nintendo phasing out the 3DS?: Yes, Nintendo has phased out the 3DS, with the eShop shutdown in 2023 and online support ending in April 2024.
4. Why don’t they make Nintendo 3DS anymore?: The main reason is the focus has shifted to the Switch, which has become the primary console for both home and handheld gaming.

Replacement and Successor

5. What will replace the 3DS?: The Nintendo Switch has taken over as the main handheld console, offering a more unified gaming experience.
6. Will Nintendo sell 3DS again?: No, Nintendo has discontinued the 3DS and will not produce or sell new units.

Sales and Success

7. Was the 3DS a success?: Despite initial struggles, the 3DS went on to sell 76 million units, making it a successful console in Nintendo’s history.
8. Will there be a 4DS?: There have been rumors, but no official announcement from Nintendo about a 4DS or any direct successor to the 3DS.

Compatibility and Support

9. Can you play 3DS games on Switch?: No, 3DS and Wii U games are not compatible with the Switch, and there is no backwards compatibility.
10. How much longer will Nintendo support the 3DS?: Online play and other online functionalities will end for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software in April 2024.

Discontinuation and Upgrade

11. Is the 2DS discontinued?: Yes, the Nintendo 2DS was discontinued in 2019 in Japan and in 2020 worldwide, along with other 3DS models.
12. Should I upgrade from 3DS to New 3DS?: The decision to upgrade depends on whether you want to play games that utilize the New 3DS’s improved CPU, such as Hyrule Warriors or Xenoblade Chronicles 3D.

Future Plans

13. Will Nintendo ever make another handheld?: There are no current plans for a new handheld console separate from the Switch, which serves both home and portable gaming needs.
14. Will Nintendo ever make another console?: Yes, Nintendo is working on a next-generation console, with reports suggesting a release in the second half of 2024.

Performance andComparison

15. Is New 3DS faster than old 3DS?: Yes, the New 3DS offers a 50% overall improvement in performance compared to the original 3DS, making it a more powerful handheld option.