Why is the 3DS Popular Again?

The 3DS has seen a sudden surge in popularity within the Nintendo space as of late, but why exactly is that? This console is 13 years old, yet it's still been in discussion lately. In this video, I aim to explain why this is the case and to give my perspective on the 3DS and what it has to offer.

Thanks for watching!

3DS Hacking Guide:

Pretendo:

Music Used:
Beautiful Days - Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc
Octo Valley (Area 5) - Splatoon
Time - Persona 3 Portable
9 A.M. - Animal Crossing: New Leaf
Toad Circuit / Mario Circuit - Mario Kart 7
Midna's Lament - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
Sector 1 ~Brilliant Garden~ - Hey! Pikmin

Footage Used (Credit the Creators!):

[morphstarchangeling]

Something really funny is Nintendo's recent survey actually asks if people are playing games on certain consoles and the 3DS was an option while the Wii U was not.

[MrMew]

Here is the real simple reason. No subscriptions. No Ads. Its that simple. Really it is. I don't even have to log into steam. its amazing.

[andrzzsenpai]

I still miss dual screen portable gaming... it's so useful if you can put all your UI info in the bottom screen and put the main game on top. I was a big fan of that.

[camwha]

"It's the first Nintendo thing I've ever owned" Damn, as someone that grew up with the DS lite and DSi this makes me feel old.

[implozia]

I didn't grow up with the DS era. I grew up with the Wii but now, as an adult, I am experiencing a childhood I never had, but always wanted.

[dontbeaturd]

Another great feature of online play on the 3DS is that it was FREE. I didn’t know that online play was free on the system until around a year before the server shutdown - I can’t afford the online Switch subscription right now so, I really enjoyed being able to play Mario Kart online again and also visit other towns in Animal Crossing.

[Dinosaursof]

It’s so easy to just close the 3ds and put it in your pocket till later. Even the switch light requires a larger pocket and I lost a thumb stick cover from not using a case in my pocket.

[NachosRenard]

Literally bought one a month ago cause I finally have the funds to buy stuff I couldn't when I was a child

[GojoStiglitz]

The thing I miss the most about the 3ds Eshop that I didn’t know I’d miss was little gift box your newly downloaded game came in on the home screen. That system had so much charm that I think Nintendo has lost sight on.

[memuskhan]

I appreciate how complete the system felt. Back when the console originally released my brother and I got one and we got one game each and for awhile that's all we had, but we weren't bored.
It was always a treat to open Nintendo Video and see something new. I spent a lot of time with my cousin recording videos on it and had my mind blown when my brother showed me how to make stop motion videos on it and my mind was blown for a second time when I put a song on the SD card and the 3DS not only could play it but had mini games while it was playing.
They just did more with less back then, and imo it feels like the games and consoles we have today don't.

[Masterspidere]

from what i know, the 3ds rose in popularity again back in 2020, 2021 or 2022, you are just a bit late to it, but you explained this all really well

[steverempel]

One thing that was actually good about the dual screen gimmick getting old with the 3DS, was that the second screen started to be used in ways that were actually better, mostly for being used for inventory or maps, or options.

Having the main screen host the main game, using buttons to perform all actions and abilities, then having a second screen to manage the game, and being able to use the stylus in the menu, was a great use of the second screen. This sort of use was much more common in the 3DS.

Compared to the OG DS where dual screen was still a gimmick, and lots of times action was done on the touch screen with the stylus. That can be fun sometimes, but is gimmicky.

I'm a strong believer in having a second screen for utilitarian purposes, but not core gameplay.

[Aure]

As some people already pointed out, the 3DS is basically a buffed up DS, and it still includes the GBA instructions, so you can avoid emulating GBA and just run the games natively as if you were playing in a original GBA. There's two ways to do this, you can inject rooms into the same wrappers nintendo used for the 3DS ambassador program using New Super Ultimate Injector in your PC, this generates a CIA file that you can install; or you can use custom firmware, open_agb_firm lets you load .gba roms to the GBA CPU directly.

The only disadvantage over emulation is that you can't use cheats.

[DanSutherland]

It's actually insane for a console as old and as popular as the 3DS to be reselling at these prices. I'm split on whether there's going to be a bubble that pops or not. It kinda depends on what happens with next gen consoles I think. If there's no option for physicals I think prices for everything that does will be on a major climb.

[Search-Co_olImagination]

Simple answer: every single game is free when jailbroken now!

[Hazuls]

Loved my 3ds, what an awesome console. I like your point about 'handheld games' not existing in the same way. One of favorite features was street pass as i would carry my 3ds around everywhere and get tons of connections on campus. My switch, on the other hand, sits in my room like a console and never goes anywhere

[gunslinger]

I still think foldable handhelds would be optimal. Not just because you can fit things like dual screens, but because it solves the biggest problem in my opinion: size!

The New 3DS XL was bigger than its other models and could still fit in your pocket. The foldable handheld design means you can keep it at a good length to hold it in your hands while also making it able to fit in your pocket. It doesn’t really have to get longer, it just has to get thicker and even afterwards it probably will still fit in a pocket or bag easier.

Of course there are some things to increase the power of a console that will inevitably make it have to get longer (eg graphics cards and stuff), but being able to put that UNDERNEATH the controller and saving space with the foldable design still keeps it consistent with size.

[dontbeaturd]

My husband bought me a N3DS XL back in 2017 and I played it for a bit before buying myself a Switch and becoming hooked to BOTW. I finally started playing my 3DS again in late 2022 and fell in love with the system. Now I haven’t touched my Switch in at least 4 months and have been predominantly playing games on my 3DS.

[AdamsOlympia]

3DS games are so much easier on the eyes when they’re made for small screens, unlike most switch games that aren’t designed specifically for handhelds.

[KurisuDE]

That 3D screen is awesome. I want that in HD!