At this year's E3 there was one hardware platform Nintendo didn't mention: the 3DS ($149.99 at GameStop) . The eight-year-old handheld has no first-party games in the works or new hardware iterations planned, but Nintendo is keen to point out it will continue to support the 3DS in all its forms.
During E3, Time managed to grab an interview with Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser to discuss the future, the Switch ($299.99 at Verizon) , and the fate of the 3DS. When asked about the handheld, Bowser was keen to point out Nintendo had decided to focus on the Switch this year at E3.
He admitted there were no new 3DS games to announce, but it isn't a forgotten platform or one that's about to be brought to the end of its life. He explained, "our 3DS business continues to do quite well. Retailers continue to support both the hardware and the software. And as long as there's consumer demand for 3DS, we'll continue to support it. In fact, we believe it's a great entry point for young gamers. A 2DS at $79 with a game included is a great value proposition for a young gamer coming into the Nintendo ecosystem."
So 3DS support will continue as long as consumers keep buying it, which you could argue would continue for longer if Nintendo kept producing new games for the system. It's also important to point out there's not even a hint of a successor appearing (as we got last year), which could have a lot to do with the smaller, more portable Switch model we are expecting to launch in the fall.
About Our Expert
I started working at PCMag in November 2016, covering all areas of technology and video game news. Before that I spent nearly 15 years working at Geek.com as a writer and editor. I also spent the first six years after leaving university as a professional game designer working with Disney, Games Workshop, 20th Century Fox, and Vivendi.
I hold two degrees: a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science and a Master's degree in Games Development. My first book, Make Your Own Pixel Art, is available from all good book shops.
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