3DS Systems Are Getting More Expensive

The prices of Nintendo 3DS consoles have skyrocketed in 2025, with some versions of the popular handheld going for just under $400. The going rates of some used Nintendo 3DS consoles have surpassed the Nintendo Switch.

Originally released in early 2011, the Nintendo 3DS was the successor to the Nintendo DS family of systems, and included backward compatibility with most of the latter’s vast game library. True to its name, the 3DS had stereoscopic 3D as one of it’s core features, which could be adjusted to varying depths using a slider on the right side of the top screen. The 3DS also included a new Circle Pad that worked like an analog joystick in most games. The 3DS was initially priced at $250, though poor sales and initial criticisms about its features led Nintendo to cut its MSRP to $170. The 3DS received a few revisions, including the $199 New Nintendo 3DS XL, throughout its lifespan. The 3DS eventually went on to sell approximately 75.9 million units worldwide across its different iterations.

Related

“This Year is Going to Be the Best One Yet” Pokemon Hypes Up 30th Anniversary Plans

Show More

Set to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026, Pokemon teases major plans for fans during the new year by hyping it up as the best one yet.

Used Nintendo 3DS Prices Are Rising Quickly

Though the 3DS was discontinued in 2021 after a decade of support, the resale market for Nintendo’s handheld has quickly soared past its initial MSRP. Twitter user Pirat Nation stated that the prices of New Nintendo 3DS XL consoles in particular can range between $200 and $350 depending on system condition. While this puts the 3DS system lineup within striking distance of the Switch 2, the 3DS is still a cheaper console overall. Access to the Nintendo eShop and other online features was removed from the 3DS in April 2024, but it can still play physical games and retains its backward compatibility with Nintendo DS titles.

To put the 3DS price surge in perspective, the current price of a new Nintendo Switch console is currently $340. In August 2025, Nintendo increased the MSRP of the original Switch console from $299 to $340 due to the US government’s tariffs on various goods from countries like China and Vietnam. As of this writing, GameStop’s stock of refurbished New Nintendo 3DS XL systems is going for $379. The price also applies to special New 3DS XL kits that were sold with special exterior patterns, with games like Pokemon Sun and Moon, The Legend of Zelda: Majora’s Mask 3D, and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate each receiving a console skin. While this makes some versions of the 3DS cost more than a new Nintendo Switch system, it still falls short of the Switch 2’s $450 price tag.

What Makes the Nintendo 3DS So Popular Among Fans?

The main reason why the 3DS is still popular is likely due to its extensive library of high-quality exclusives games, but there are other reasons as well. Although Nintendo has long since pulled support for the 3DS, the system continues to be a popular device for modders looking to get some extra use out of it. For example, modded 3DS consoles can be utilized to run games and apps that would normally not be possible. Earlier in 2025, a gamer demonstrated how the Moonlight game streaming app could be used to play Assassin’s Creed Shadows on a 3DS, though the actual game itself is handled via a separate console or a PC. While this comes with some compromises, the potential of modified 3DS consoles continues to grow over time.

Additionally, some 3DS titles have gained value over time due to their rarity, with the dual-pack of Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire fetching an estimated price of $1,169, over three times the current price of a New Nintendo 3DS XL system. While the Switch 2 still remains Nintendo’s hottest commodity going into 2026, the 3DS still holds a lot of sway in the hearts and wallets of many gamers.

Sources: Time Extension, Tom’s Hardware