Nintendo introduced its 3DS console in 2011. The handheld gaming device was well received by gamers all over the world not only because of its portability, but also due to the promising titles that came along with it. However, since the original 3DS was launched five years ago, many fans have been wondering if a major upgrade is coming anytime soon. Thankfully, a ray of hope has come to Nintendo fans this week when the president of the Japanese company hinted at a follow-up to the 3DS.
According to Kyoto Shinbun, Nintendo President Tatsumi Kimishima has confirmed that they are considering an update to the Nintendo 3DS console. This is in spite of the company’s full-on preparation for the release of its hybrid console, the Nintendo Switch, next month. Kimishima is also not worried about the reaction of the gaming community when the follow-up for 3DS does reach its fruition. For him, the 3DS console is already very different from the Switch. “It is different from the Switch in shape, weight [and] price,” he said before pointing out that the Switch is a hybrid for the very reason that it can be divided into pieces.
Speaking on why they are still considering a 3DS successor at this point, Kimishima pointed out that the market need for a follow-up is still present. “The required need and market is there for it, and we’re considering a successor,” he was quoted as saying by the Japanese publication. He did not spill more beans about their plan, but according to the CEO of Tokyo-based game industry consultancy firm Kantan Games, Dr. Serkan Toto, Kimishima may actually be referring to an entirely different gaming console and not a 3DS refresh.
With the attention Nintendo is giving to its Switch console, it’s also not possible for the company to launch a new portable device anytime soon. Siliconera reports that Nintendo will most likely give the Switch more time to establish itself on the market. Only when the hybrid console gets a stable following can the firm give serious thought into releasing its new handheld gaming machine.
Another reason to believe that a 3DS successor is not launching soon is the fact that Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime has said in an interview that the 3DS will be sticking around for the time being. Fils-Aime even emphasized that the 3DS and the Switch will be co-existing once the latter is released. “They’re going to co-exist just fine. We’ve done this before, managing two different systems,” he was quoted as saying by Trusted Reviews.
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