In another sign that Nintendo is leaving its older gaming consoles behind, production for the New Nintendo 3DS has officially ceased in Japan according to a translation from Kotaku UK.
On the official Japanese Nintendo website, it states “production of all (line-up models) is finished,” according to the translation. The black, white and special editions of the New Nintendo 3DS will no longer be produced in Japan.
Not to be confused, the New Nintendo 3DS XL will still be produced (I can understand why that can be confusing to some people, since the names are similar). It is the standard-sized New Nintendo 3DS that will have its production ceased. It was originally released in Japan in October of 2014 and released in North America in September of 2015.
One of the main reasons, it seems, why the production for the New Nintendo 3DS has ceased is because it only sold 120,000 units in Japan compared to the New Nintendo 3DS XL, which sold 1.38 million units according to Ars Technica. In comparison, in North America, 400,000 units of the New Nintendo 3DS have been sold in the past year while 1.39 million units of the New Nintendo 3DS XL have been sold.
Fans don’t have too much to be sad about, though, since Nintendo will be releasing the New Nintendo 2DS XL in just a couple of weeks. Instead of the flat model of the Nintendo 2DS, the New Nintendo 2DS XL will feature a flip up screen and is cheaper than the New Nintendo 3DS XL. It will cost $149.99 (it’s more expensive than it’s alternative the Nintendo 2DS, which is $79.99) and is coming out on July 28.
When comparing the Nintendo 2DS and the New Nintendo 2DS XL, the New Nintendo 2DS XL is compatible with New Nintendo 3DS exclusive software, has a C Stick and ZL/ZR buttons, has a built in NFC reader, and a power saving mode. The Nintendo 2DS lacks these features. Also, with the release of the New Nintendo 2DS XL, players will get an AC adapter included with their purchase (the New Nintendo 3DS XL does not include the AC adapter and is sold seperately for $9.99, which caused controversy).
The New Nintendo 3DS doesn’t have its own section on the official English Nintendo website and only shows off the models for the New Nintendo 3DS XL, the Nintendo 2DS and the upcoming New Nintendo 2DS XL. If you are interested in buying the New Nintendo 3DS, you can search on Amazon (although most of the New Nintendo 3DS’ either are special editions bundled with games and cost more than $200 or a Japanese import of the New Nintendo 3DS costs almost as much as a New Nintendo 3DS XL).
Nintendo has yet to officially make a statement on the end of the New Nintendo 3DS. There is currently no information on the future of the New Nintendo 3DS production in North America.
It seems that with every new Nintendo console release, production ends for an older console. Last year, it was the Wii U that had its production stopped as a result of the Nintendo Switch being released. The Wii U, though, struggled with sales while the Nintendo Switch managed to sell millions of units within the first couple months of launch. Now that the New Nintendo 2DS XL is coming out, the New Nintendo 3DS will have its production ceased.
Also, the ending of production of both these consoles was announced through a small notice on the Japanese Nintendo website instead of an official announcement, which makes it seem like that Nintendo wanted to have a quiet “funeral” for the end of the Wii U and New Nintendo 3DS.
Featured image via Wikimedia Commons.
