As of September 17, Nintendo has stated that the production of the 3DS family of systems has been discontinued for the foreseeable future. 

In 2011, Nintendo released the Nintendo 3DS as the successor to its widely popular handheld console, the Nintendo DS, which was released in 2005. The 3DS device is able to create a 3D effect on the top screen while you play through the stereoscopic 3D effect. This effect is accomplished when two offset images are viewed at the same time, usually by crossing your eyes or using a device, to create the illusion of depth. The 3DS was expected to be a huge seller like its predecessor that sold over 154 million units worldwide, but it only sold close to 75 million units. Regardless, it still managed to be one of the greatest and most technologically advanced gaming consoles for its time. However, all good things must come to an end.

On September 17, 2020, after a strong nine-year run, Nintendo confirmed that they were no longer manufacturing not only the 3DS but as well as the rest of the family of devices. These were devices such as the New Nintendo 3DS, which contains additional and updated features to the preexisting model. “We can confirm that the manufacturing of the Nintendo 3DS family of systems has ended,” stated Nintendo to GameIndustry.biz. Their main reasoning behind this decision was so they could pool their focus onto the Nintendo Switch, the newest console hybrid device to be produced by Nintendo. And while it pains many to say goodbye to such iconic and memorable systems, all hope need not be lost.

Although Nintendo has stopped the production of these devices themselves, Nintendo has also stated to CNN Business that, “Nintendo and third-party games for the Nintendo 3DS family of systems will continue to be available in Nintendo eShop, on Nintendo.com, and at retail.” 

Even though the Nintendo 3DS family isn’t completely dead and games for the systems are still being sold, it is simply the first step for the 3DS family to becoming another artifact in gaming history. It may not have sold as well as its predecessor, but it still made an impact on many people, becoming a cultural touchstone to its generation.