Nintendo 3DS And 2DS Will Be Supported “Into 2018 And Beyond” Says The Company

Earlier this year, the future of the Nintendo 3DS family of systems seemed in serious doubt. Sure, Nintendo announced the New Nintendo 2DS XL and insisted they were sticking by the platform, but the Nintendo Switch was clearly the new portable on the block the upcoming 3DS release schedule looked pretty iffy.

Thankfully, things look better for the 3DS following E3 2017, as Nintendo announced a trio of big games in Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser´s Minions, Metroid: Samus Returns, and Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. In a recent interview with IGN, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime also vowed to support the 3DS into 2018 and beyond. It really sounds like Nintendo's scrappy little system isn't going anywhere!

"We're going to continue to bring new content, and that's what's going to keep this device vibrant and keep it going well into 2018 and beyond. The way we continue to make Nintendo 3DS vibrant as a platform is first we continue to innovate from form factor standpoint. So, the New 2DS XL is just the latest for us in having form factor innovation. We know colors are a key differentiator, consumers love the variety of different colors. And also the larger screen and the different form factor in the 2DS family, we think is a going to drive and continue to drive the 3DS platform."

Reggie also elaborated on why Nintendo doesn't see the Switch as a 3DS replacement…

"[Nintendo Switch is] a home console that you take with you and play with anyone, anywhere, anytime. It really is meant to deliver that great home console performance, you just happen to be able to undock it and take it with you, which is a key innovation. [We want Switch to be] their preferred gaming device that they can play fantastic Zelda, Mario, third-party content, all of their favorite franchises brought to life on the platform. That's what we want. And we're greedy and we want Nintendo 3DS right alongside it."

Well, as long as Nintendo keeps supporting the 3DS, I'll keep my charging cradle plugged in. The truth of the matter is, nobody is challenging Nintendo in this market (low-cost dedicated portable gaming systems) so why give up a niche you completely dominate?

Check out trailers for recently announced 3DS exclusives Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser´s Minions and Metroid: Samus Returns.

[via IGN]