Nintendo has officially revealed plans to cease production of the 3DS family of devices. Though it’s been a while since we saw a brand new Nintendo 3DS game, the news is still pretty sad to hear.
After nearly 10 years on the market – and around 76 million units sold – the 3DS and its many family members will no longer be produced. This includes the Nintendo 3DS, New 3DS, 2DS and all the XL variations.
Over on the official Nintendo Japan website, a new notice from the company states with little fanfare: “Manufacturing of the Nintendo 3DS family of systems has ended.”
Though the news is definitely sad, it doesn’t come as too much of a surprise. The Nintendo Switch Lite has largely replaced the need for a 3DS, allowing a lightweight and easy way to play your favourite Nintendo games on the go.
Last year, Nintendo revealed the company was no longer going to create any new first-party games for DS family. At the moment, the original Nintendo DS is the world’s best-selling mobile console. Maybe in 10 years’ time, the Switch Lite (or even the Switch itself, if that might qualify for the title being both a dock-able and a handheld console).
Nintendo fans will surely be sad to hear the news, as it marks the end of an era for one of the most important consoles in handheld history.
If you still have a Nintendo 3DS console on your wishlist, now might be the time to pony up and get yours.
Speaking of the House of Mario, Nintendo recently gave the world an official update on the development of The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild 2.
Earlier this month, Nintendo surprise-announced a new Zelda game entitled Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, in a video with Zelda series producer, Eiji Aonuma. The upcoming Nintendo Switch game takes place 100 years before Breath of the Wild, and will feature the game’s iconic and beloved art style.
In the same video, Aonuma spoke briefly about the sequel to Breath of the Wild, promising eager gamers that it’s still happening – just not yet.
“We mentioned in the June 2019 Nintendo Direct presentation that we had started development on a sequel to The Legend of Zelda Breath of the Wild,” said Aonuma. “Many people around the world are still playing Breath of the Wild so I’d like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Everyone, thank you do much.
“Regarding the sequel, in order to make the vast world you enjoyed exploring in the original game even more impressive, the team is working hard on its development. So you’ll have to wait a bit longer before we can provide more updates.”
Though the update doesn’t give too much away, we do know a few things: the game is still in development, Nintendo is planning to reveal something at some point, and next year marks the 35th anniversary of the Zelda series. Perhaps it’s during these festivities that we’ll hear more?
Featured Image Credit: Nintendo