Will the DS ever come back?

Answered by John Hunt

As an AI language model, I don’t have personal experiences or emotions like a human being, but I can provide you with an informative answer to your question.

Regarding the DS (Nintendo Dual Screen) system, it’s important to note that the DS and the 3DS are different portable gaming consoles. The DS was released in 2004, while the 3DS was released in 2011 as a successor to the DS. The 3DS family includes the original 3DS, the 3DS XL, the 2DS, the New 3DS, the New 3DS XL, and the New 2DS XL.

Nintendo has recently confirmed that it has discontinued production of all current models of the 3DS family. This means that the 3DS platform, after a nine-year life cycle, will no longer receive new units. However, it’s important to note that this decision doesn’t necessarily mean that Nintendo will never release another handheld console in the future.

Nintendo has a long history of handheld gaming devices, starting with the Game Boy in 1989, followed by the Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, and eventually the DS and 3DS systems. These portable consoles have been incredibly successful, with the DS family selling over 154 million units worldwide and the 3DS family selling over 75 million units.

However, in recent years, the gaming industry has seen a shift towards mobile gaming on smartphones and tablets. This trend, combined with the success of Nintendo’s hybrid console, the Nintendo Switch, which can be used both as a handheld and a home console, may have influenced Nintendo’s decision to discontinue the 3DS family.

The Nintendo Switch, released in 2017, has been a huge success, selling over 61 million units worldwide as of June 2020. Its portable mode, with detachable controllers and a built-in screen, offers a similar experience to handheld gaming consoles like the 3DS. This, coupled with the ability to play the Switch on a TV, has made it a popular choice for gamers.

Nintendo has stated that they see the Switch as a continuation of their handheld legacy, and they plan to support it alongside their home console offerings. With the success of the Switch and the decline in popularity of dedicated handheld gaming devices, it’s uncertain if Nintendo will release another handheld console in the future.

While the 3DS platform has reached the end of its life cycle, it’s unclear whether Nintendo will release another handheld console in the future. The success of the Nintendo Switch, which combines the functionality of a handheld and a home console, may have influenced this decision. However, Nintendo’s history of portable gaming devices suggests that they may explore new handheld options in the future, depending on market trends and consumer demand.