The Nintendo 3DS, released in 2011, marked Nintendo’s next step in handheld gaming by delivering glasses-free 3D gameplay, something no other mainstream handheld had pulled off at the time. Building on the massive success of the Nintendo DS, the 3DS combined dual screens, a touchscreen, motion controls, and StreetPass, turning everyday carry into a social gaming experience for collectors and longtime Nintendo fans.
With a deep library that includes Pokémon X & Y, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Fire Emblem Awakening, and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, the 3DS became one of Nintendo’s most beloved modern-era handheld consoles. Today it’s firmly crossing into collectible territory, especially as the eShop has closed and demand grows for physical games, special editions, and complete-in-box systems.