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Should Nintendo release a backwards-compatible, beefier successor to the 3DS?

Cyanity

Cyanity

Member
Oct 25, 2017
9,345
We've all heard the same sentiment among gaming communities since the Switch came out: "Axe the 3DS to make way for the Switch" or "Bring all the good 3DS games to the Switch".

Unfortunately, most 3DS games just wouldn't work on the Switch. Its screen isn't designed in a way that would facilitate easy porting. Many would have Nintendo abandon all support for the 3DS in favor of the Switch, but I disagree. Their little handheld has one of the most impressive libraries of this generation - and it would be a shame to see these games disappear with the handheld.

I think Nintendo should consider releasing an updated 3DS, a brand new handheld with beefier hardware and backwards compatibility with original 3DS games. Is this crazy? Should we just abandon the 3DS and focus entirely on the Switch?

Banish me to the 3D-zone if old.
 
JeffGubb

JeffGubb

Giant Bomb
Verified
Oct 25, 2017
842
No.

It doesn't need more power. Just keep supporting it as it is. New development should go to Switch, though.
 
kickz

kickz

Member
Nov 3, 2017
11,395
Yes, less 3DS games hasn't meant more Switch games so far, so go ahead and release a successor.

Japan can support both
 
Thrill_house

Thrill_house

Member
Oct 27, 2017
10,675
No. Moving forward I think the hybrid console is fucking genius for Nintendo. You get the console crowd that doesnt dig hand helds, the handheld crowd that isnt into console gaming and everyone in between. They are doing it right.
 
Nickerous

Nickerous

Member
Nov 2, 2017
813
Sure, why not. I'd rather see a dual screen, clamshell design switch mini with 3ds support. Obviously no 3d screen...2ds support, then.
 
Dwebble

Dwebble

Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
9,633
Where would the games come from?

If you're suggesting something that can run Switch games and maintain 3/DS backwards compatibility, I could see the appeal, but would question if there's actually a market. If you're suggesting something that would have its own library, that's lunatic.
 
rochellepaws

rochellepaws

Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,459
Ireland
Of course they should. There's a market for a cheap and durable portable device that the Switch will never fill, they have a back catalog of 15 years worth of dual screen titles that would otherwise be inaccessible and they and 3rd parties have created many series designed specifically for dual screen touch hardware that couldn't really work on another device.

Parvaati said:
No. The entire point of the Switch was to consolidate development.
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According to who? Nintendo have always said they're considering a 3DS successor. The entire point of the Switch was to replace the failing Wii U as a home device.
 

Deleted member 1413

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
8,617
No. A new 3DS successor to be a worthwhile upgrade from the 3DS would probably be between vita and switch spec which puts it to close to switch making it redundant.
Being BC with 3DS would mean it likely couldn't run switch games and it would probably cost around as much as switch
 
OP
OP
Cyanity

Cyanity

Member
Oct 25, 2017
9,345
Nickerous said:
Sure, why not. I'd rather see a dual screen, clamshell design switch mini with 3ds support. Obviously no 3d screen...2ds support, then.
Click to expand...
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I really like this idea. It'd have to come out at least a few years from now, but I think a switch mini with 3DS support would be an amazing addition to my handheld collection.
 
sharpforprez

sharpforprez

Banned
Oct 29, 2017
735
I'd like a definitive handheld just to kind of close the book on that side of Nintendo. Then again some might say the n3DS XL is that.
 

Jraphics Horse

Member
Oct 26, 2017
7,981
I don't think they should. But I wouldn't be completely shocked if they did.
Some point down the line could reinvent the DS concept as a new thing, but that's probably a long way off.
 

Deleted member 2145

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
29,223
Nickerous said:
Sure, why not. I'd rather see a dual screen, clamshell design switch mini with 3ds support. Obviously no 3d screen...2ds support, then.
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I would really love to see the stereoscopic face tracking 3D on an HD screen tbh

more than anything else, even a second screen for Zelda games, I'm sad that's gone
 
Akumatica

Akumatica

Member
Oct 25, 2017
2,748
Yes. A SwitchDS with the 3DS design that plays Switch, 3DS, DS and both systems Eshop titles would be great.
 
FrakEarth

FrakEarth

Member
Oct 25, 2017
3,289
Liverpool, UK
I would love a new 3D handheld from them someday, but their unified platform (Switch) is ace - I think it would confuse matters. I would rather see a beefier home-console Switch, or a mid-gen upgrade - but again, even that complicates things for developers to a degree.
 
metsallica

metsallica

One Winged Slayer
Member
Oct 27, 2017
11,785
I'd take a NewER 3DS, why not. I'm just not sure what the handheld would offer that the Switch doesn't do better already (as someone who can't see 3D effects).
 
Raijinto

Raijinto

self-requested ban
Banned
Oct 28, 2017
10,091
No, that market is finished really, at least for the foreseeable future. Pokemon is on Switch, Fire Emblem is on Switch, Mario Kart, Zelda, Splatoon all on Switch.

It is not something easily implemented considering.
 
Vire

Vire

Banned
Oct 27, 2017
5,591
How many fucking threads do we need on this really? I know thread whining and all but seriously, no we do not need this.

Just make a mini Switch and be done with it.
 

Deleted member 1413

Banned
Oct 25, 2017
8,617
rochellepaws said:
Of course they should. There's a market for a cheap and durable portable device that the Switch will never fill, they have a back catalog of 15 years worth of dual screen titles that would otherwise be inaccessible and they and 3rd parties have created many series designed specifically for dual screen touch hardware that couldn't really work on another device.


According to who? Nintendo have always said they're considering a 3DS successor. The entire point of the Switch was to replace the failing Wii U as a home device.
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I feel like that audience is overstated.
Price and size can go down with time.
Dual screens isn't much of a selling point either. Outside of EO it doesn't seem like many games will struggle to adapt back to single screen, even EO is coming to single screen devices
 
passing breeze

passing breeze

Member
Apr 9, 2018
510
No, the Switch is the start of a new line of devices that will gradually succeed the 3ds as they become cheaper to produce.
 
modoversus

modoversus

Member
Oct 25, 2017
5,684
México
Of course they should.

They had both the GBA and the DS at the same time. Would not be the first time Nintendo has two radically different portables out at the same time, aimed at different needs or market.
 
Pooroomoo

Pooroomoo

Member
Oct 28, 2017
4,972
Cyanity said:
You say that, but do you believe it? Nintendo is still publishing 3DS games.
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They hardly are developing any though, and it is quite certain most if not all of those games were green lit before it was clear the Switch will be a success.

I would be fine with a 3DS form factor successor if it supported Switch games and didn't necessitate its own development teams, otherwise no, it would actually be a mistake on Nintendo's part. They are simply not built to support well (or at all) more than one system at a time, and no, what you see this year for the 3DS (or even last year) is not the type of support a new system could get and thrive.
 
passing breeze

passing breeze

Member
Apr 9, 2018
510
I don't get why people are suddenly freaking out because a few tail end 3ds games that have probably been in the pipeline for a while are coming out.
 
Gakidou

Gakidou

Member
Oct 30, 2017
1,612
pip pip cheerio fish & chips
YES BITCH

Now that I've had a switch for about a year(??) I just feel like it hasn't really replaced the 3ds. I still use my 3ds a bunch it's so much smaller and easier to carry around than my switch. Maybe would be better just to cut straight to a more portable switch successor that doesn't need to be carried around in a padded suitcase that's bigger than my handbag, but this would probably be more realistic and, honestly? I think there's already a pretty clean divide between the types of games I wanna play at home immersed vs ones I wanna play outside.
Given how much I play, a console dedicated to VNs, turn based RPGs, card games, puzzle games, etc might honestly be worth it. Better cross-compatibility would be the shiz tho.

And yeah, I realise more console exclusivity comes at a big cost to consumers, but subject purely to my own personal tastes and habits I think I'd be down.
 
Gobias-Ind

Gobias-Ind

Member
Nov 22, 2017
4,027
Nintendo should focus on putting all of its software onto one piece of plastic, please.

3DS, NES Classic, SNES, Classic. All abominations unto the Lord.
 
Dwebble

Dwebble

Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
9,633
Cyanity said:
You say that, but do you believe it? Nintendo is still publishing 3DS games.
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I believe it. They haven't internally developed a game for the platform for years, and their publishing lineup since the Switch came out has been made up of late ports, remakes and enhanced versions.
 
julian

julian

Member
Oct 27, 2017
16,833
Parvaati said:
No. The entire point of the Switch was to consolidate development.
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They never said that. They repeatedly said the point of consolidating their development environments was to make sharing of assets amongst their games easier so they could develop for more platforms more easily. People twisted that into thinking they said they wanted one single platform to build for...despite them clearly stating otherwise.

I'm all for a more powerful clamshell handheld. It's a waste to get rid of that entire library. If it had some nice Switch integration, fantastic.
 
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