The Nintendo 3DS is celebrating its 15-year anniversary today, March 27, 2025. Below, we look back at its design philosophy and how it differs from modern-day handheld counterparts like the Switch and Steam Deck.
Portable consoles are big now. The Steam Deck and its wave of competing devices are just PCs that you can slip into a suitcase. In and of itself, this can make the Steam Deck feel like the best possible version of the portable console. If you’re willing to tinker and/or emulate, you can play almost anything on it. If you’ve already got a massive library of games on Steam? All the better. The Nintendo Switch, which anticipated the Steam Deck’s form, went bigger for its sequel. All this size and expansiveness has me longing for a truly handheld device: pocket-sized rather than merely portable. Though some op-eds opined that the 3DS was a serious departure from the minimalist design philosophy that defined the early Nintendo handheld, what has endured is its relatively narrow focus. The 3DS outlasted its own extra-dimensional gimmick and in the process became one of the very best ways to play.
Strangely enough, the portable shift towards maximalism may have started with the 3DS. The original Game Boy, though large and cumbersome in its own right, was made cheaply. Designer Gunpei Yokai advocated for using mature technology that could be obtained easily. The philosophy paid off. The Game Boy, fueled with the lean efficiency of Tetris, was a cascading success. Over two decades later, the 3DS took a new approach. It was not exactly cutting edge, but it boasted a high-tech gimmick of its own (3D effects without glasses) and bright, colorful graphics in those dimensions. It had augmented-reality features and wireless, cross-device communication. Some of the early titles, like Resident Evil: The Mercenaries and Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, boasted console-quality gaming on the go. But its competition was the Vita, an even larger and more maximalist portable console (which, in a funny twist of fate, became better for playing visual novels and old JRPGs than any big-budget Sony games). The 3DS was cheaper and appealed to a significantly broader audience. It helped a lot that it was a successor to the already resoundingly popular DS.
Happy 15th anniversary to the Nintendo 3DS! It’s amazing how it still holds a special place in many gamers’ hearts, even with newer consoles on the market. Looking forward to reminiscing about its impact on portable gaming!
Absolutely, happy anniversary to the 3DS! Its dual-screen design and 3D capabilities really set it apart at the time. Plus, the library of games it offers is still a nostalgic favorite for many gamers today.
Happy anniversary indeed! The 3DS really revolutionized portable gaming with its unique features. Plus, its impressive library of titles, like “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D,” still holds a special place in many gamers’ hearts.
Absolutely! The 3DS’s 3D capability without glasses was a game changer, and it really set a new standard for handheld consoles. Plus, its extensive library of games still holds a special place for many gamers.
I completely agree! The 3D feature was impressive, but the library of games also played a huge role in its success. Titles like “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D” and “Animal Crossing: New Leaf” really showcased what the system could do and created memorable experiences for players.