When the New Nintendo 3DS was introduced by Nintendo, it came in two varieties: a small version and an “XL” version, similar to what had been done with the original 3DS model. However, mainly due to sales of the 3DS XL eclipsing that of the small version, Nintendo decided to keep the tinier New Nintendo 3DS a Japan exclusive.
Some consumers weren’t happy about that. The small NN3DS came with interchangeable faceplates so you could dress up your handheld with any design you wanted, while the big version did not. Also, some people just preferred the 3DS to be small. Nintendo finally bowed to demand and introduced the small NN3DS to America inside special bundles such as an Animal Crossing themed one.
However, we’re guessing the small NN3DS didn’t perform that well in Japan either, because Nintendo just stopped making it. A notification went up on the Japanese Nintendo website this morning indicating the small model was out of production. Does this mean its days are numbered for the rest of the world as well?
Nintendo denies it. “This announcement does not affect Nintendo of America territories, as the model in question was only sold in limited quantities as special offerings,” a representative said to Polygon. “There are no changes to the sales status of New Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS or the upcoming New Nintendo 2DS XL, which launches on July 28.”
It would be weird for Nintendo to sell hardware in America that it doesn’t sell in its native country. We’re skeptical the New Nintendo 3DS will stick around in other places, but Nintendo works in mysterious ways, and we could be proven wrong.
