The Nintendo 3DS first appeared on store shelves all the way back in March 2011, with pre-orders carrying a hefty price tag of $249.99. A bit over three years later, the company refreshed the lineup with the aptly named "New 3DS" and "New 3DS XL" handheld consoles for around $150 and $180 respectively. The revised consoles featured numerous improvements including extra shoulder buttons, a C-Stick, a faster CPU, and head-tracking to improve the effectiveness and consistency of the 3D viewing experience.
New Nintendo 3DS production has ended with immediate effect, according to a notice on the official website https://t.co/CRN0gX8YvD pic.twitter.com/zMRucsEkUv
— AllGamesDelta (@AllGamesDelta) July 13, 2017
However, all consoles have a finite lifetime and it seems that the New Nintendo 3DS may have reached the end of its run. According to a translation of the product page on the Nintendo Japan website, production of this specific version of the console has wrapped up. At this stage, the New 3DS XL - marketed as the "New 3DS LL" in Japan - seemingly remains available for sale, at least for the time being.
The development comes just months after Nintendo released the New 2DS XL which is being sold alongside the original 2DS console. Both consoles omitted the autostereoscopic screen in order to provide a cheaper offering while targeting younger gamers who had otherwise been discouraged from using the 3D technology in the more expensive 3DS variants.
It remains to be seen exactly how long the gaming stalwart will keep around its remaining stable of 2DS and 3DS consoles, particularly with its hybrid console, the Switch, now available. However, fans may find some reassurance in comments made by Nintendo of America President and CEO Reggie Fils-Aimé who commented in an interview with Nintendo Wire that the "3DS has a long life in front of it" and that "the Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo Switch are going to live side-by-side."
Source: Nintendo Japan via VG247