Yes, You Should Absolutely Still Keep Your 3DS in 2024

As a long-time gamer and Nintendo fan, I can definitively say the 3DS is still a must-own system in 2024 thanks to its legendary game library, unparalleled portable gaming experience, newly affordable cost, and nostalgic retro value that pays homage to Nintendo‘s history of innovative handhelds.

The Benchmark Handheld Game Library Stands the Test of Time

With over 1,000 stellar titles spanning beloved franchises, underrated gems, and all genres of gaming, the deep 3DS game catalog remains one of the greatest ever produced for a handheld. As the second highest-selling Nintendo handheld ever behind only the DS, the 3DS saw many franchises hit their peak, while also introducing innovative new IP that captured fans‘ hearts.

Just look at the numbers:

• 4 of the top 10 best-selling Nintendo 3DS games of all time are from the Pokémon franchise – spanning new generations and nostalgic remakes, it‘s clear this system was the ultimate way to catch em‘ all for millions and millions of trainers.
• Animal Crossing: New Leaf trails closely behind as the 3rd best-selling 3DS game ever at over 12 million copies, showing how the relaxing life sim charmed fans on the handheld.
• The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D and The Legend Of Zelda: Majora‘s Mask 3D Remakes propelled the iconic adventures from the N64 era to the #11 and #13 best-selling 3DS spots. Cleary fans loved revisiting these classics on the stereoscopic 3D portable.

And the hits don‘t stop there, with Mario Kart 7 selling over 11 million copies, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS exceeding 9 million units sold, and Fire Emblem Awakening bringing strategic gameplay to over 2 million new fans. And in addition to the evergreen Nintendo titles, Capcom‘s Monster Hunter and Dragon Quest found massive success on 3DS as well.

Simply put, just about every major Nintendo franchise and even third party series realized their peak critical and commercial success on the 3DS platform. These highest highs for so many acclaimed titles are why the 3DS‘s library remains appealing and essential well into 2023.

Portability Reigns Supreme

While modern console gaming trends towards 4K/60fps visuals that dazzle the eyes, many fans still value gaming comfort and pick-up-and-play accessibility above all. This emphasis on portability makes the 3DS family still one of the best ways to game on the go.

The 2DS XL offers a fantastic middle ground, retaining the processing power and controls of the New 3DS XL while doing away with the stereoscopic 3D feature. This allows the 2DS XL to have outstanding battery life between 4-7 hours and a lighter weight profile at just over 9 ounces. Compared to the 1 pound Switch OLED or small but less ergonomic Switch Lite, the 3DS form factor still provides the superior portable gaming build.

So when traveling by train, plane, or simply gaming around the house, the 3DS family systems allow you to access an incredible library wherever you please. And being able to toss it in any bag and prop it up on any table gives these dedicated handhelds major flexibility advantages over the Switch.

Newfound Affordability Thanks to Retro Status

With the 3DS being discontinued back in 2020, it has firmly entered retro status despite still feeling quite modern. And like many retro consoles before it, this new classification makes purchasing 3DS consoles, games, and accessories extremely wallet-friendly.

Used original model 3DS systems regularly sell for under $100 these days at local game stores. Meanwhile the New Nintendo 3DS XL goes for reasonable prices between $130 to $200 for solid condition refurbs or used systems. And building a game library has never been cheaper, with sought after titles like Super Mario 3D Land, The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, and Super Smash Bros for 3DS all readily found for under $20.

Compare these affordable prices to the still $299 brand new Switch OLED system and niche $60 first-party games, and going the used 3DS route starts making a lot of sense if gift-giving budgets are tight or you just want to build an expansive classic collection without breaking the bank.

Plus, niche accessories like the Circle Pad Pro grip that adds a second slide pad for $20 or picking up an extra stylus for a few bucks is very reasonable. Building up a stellar 3DS setup has honestly never been more affordable than it is right now.

Unique Retro Value, History, and Charm

Beyond the practical reasons like an acclaimed library and lower cost, holding onto a Nintendo 3DS also provides nostalgia and collectors appeal. The dual screens, stereoscopic 3D visuals, and stylus controls make this generation a truly unique period for Nintendo handhelds before the Switch unified the console and portable spaces.

Having your childhood Pokémon team still accessible or being able to reflect on how far sims games have come since Animal Crossing: New Leaf provides meaningful nostalgic value. And for collectors or gaming history buffs, preserving hardware like the New 3DS XL with its eye-tracking stabilized 3D, the massive original 3DS, or 2DS‘ slate-like form gives a capsule of portable gaming ingenuity across the decade plus lifespan of the 3DS generation.

So while gaming has moved onwards in many ways, the 3DS also now represents a retro time capsule to the late 2000s and early 2010s. It gives you both a state-of-the-art portable experience in its own right, along with that nostalgic reminiscent feeling of past gaming eras.

Given the still unmatched portable gaming experiences offered, wealth of acclaimed Nintendo content that holds up tremendously, new affordability as a retro system, and nostalgic uniqueness, the Nintendo 3DS family is very much still worth owning in 2024 and remains an essential part of any serious gamer‘s collection. Thanks to backwards compatibility enhancing an already legendary library across DS and 3DS games along with new retro collector appeal, the dedicated dual-screen handheld continues bringing tremendous value even today.

So for longtime Nintendo fans, new gamers getting into classics, or just those looking for an affordable way to play iconic franchises portably, grabbing a New 3DS XL or 2DS XL along with a healthy stack of used games is one of the wisest purchases that can be made today. I know my 3DS still gets played every single week in 2024. And at the bargain prices you can build a library for, this system that still feels futuristic likely will continue getting revisited years down the line as well.

Have you been playing your 3DS recently? What games or elements of the system continue captivating you in 2024? Let me know in the comments, as I always love gushing more about my favorite Nintendo handheld ever – even now almost 15 years after it first launched!