GoKawiilUsed 3DS prices climb to $250 as Nintendo's handheld loses online features
Refurbished Nintendo 3DS units are now selling for around $250 at retailers like GameStop, up from roughly $100 previously, with XL models costing even more. The price rise follows Nintendo's 2023 eShop shutdown and 2024 closure of the 3DS's online servers, which eliminated digital purchases and multiplayer features, though StreetPass still functions locally.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The surge in resale prices suggests demand driven partly by nostalgia and partly by buyers seeking a cheaper alternative to the Switch 2, though the article notes this is speculative. With digital storefronts gone, collectors now depend on a shrinking physical game market where titles like Dragon Quest VIII have become notably expensive, making the 3DS a less practical buy than a used original Switch at roughly $180.
- Refurbished 3DS units now cost around $250, more than double earlier used prices.
- Nintendo shut down the 3DS eShop in 2023 and online servers in 2024, killing digital purchases and online multiplayer.
- A used original Switch at about $180 or a $95 Anbernic emulator may offer better value depending on desired game library.
Nintendo Switch (Original Model) — If you're weighing a pricey used 3DS against other options, a refurbished original Switch is often the smarter buy, offering a huge library including ports and remakes of classic 3DS titles. It gives you more bang for your buck while still letting you revisit beloved portable classics.
See Nintendo Switch (Original Model) on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: engadget.com — Deven Mcclure, 2026-10-03
Published there as: “Is a Nintendo 3DS still worth buying in 2026?”
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