Dear Master Malstrom,

It’s being reported that Nintendo is thinking about releasing a successor to the 3DS, and I’m really scratching my head over this one. Apparently, Nintendo is considering this because the 3DS is still selling strong despite the release of the Switch. But couldn’t the strong sales be due to the Switch? Perhaps people who love the Switch are buying a 3DS to get access to more Nintendo games which aren’t available on Switch (maybe the virtual console games?). Wouldn’t it make more sense to keep supporting the 3DS than to release new hardware?

They’re not. Nintendo said ‘everything is on the table’ which means no. Maybe a smaller version of the Switch, but certainly not a new platform. It just wouldn’t make sense.

3DS really isn’t selling that strongly. More and more retail places are putting 3DS games on clearance.

The problem with the 3DS is the price of the software. Why should I pay $40 for a game with really crappy graphics on ancient hardware when I can pay $40 for a Switch game? (Many Switch games are $40).

Nintendo handheld line-up had the advantage of cheaper software. 3DS doesn’t have it. 3DS software is just too damn expensive. I wouldn’t even jump on the buy one get one half off sale that Best Buy is doing now… and that is WITH a Gamer’s Club Unlocked. I own a 3DS, and I own one game: Zelda: Link Between Worlds. I think I may want to get NSMB 2 and Metroid eventually, but that is probably it for that platform. Software is just too damn much.

However, Nintendo is all about profits. They make their profits on the software.

So no, there won’t be a successor to the 3DS. There may be a Switch ‘lite’ or something.