The Nintendo Switch made waves ever since its release. The hybrid console was believed to be a replacement for the Nintendo 3DS. But company president Tatsumi Kimishima emphasized that the Switch does not replace the 3DS, and that more games for the latter are still on works.
Kimishima said on an interview with Bloomberg, "Thanks to our software, the 3DS hardware is still growing. So that business still has momentum. And certainly rather than being cannibalized by Switch, we think the 3DS can continue in its own form."
Ever since the unveiling of Nintendo Switch last October, speculations spread that it will totally replace the 3DS, and that there will be no more updates for the beloved console. Players also thought that the game production for the console will come to an end. Yet, the official statement from Nintendo declares otherwise.
Nintendo is planning to continue developing both consoles separately and in parallel, in short, they will co-exist. The Nintendo 3DS has features that differs from the Switch. The price points and play experiences for the two consoles are also different that they can't be put to compete with each other.
The Switch, though having a handheld mode, cannot replace what 3DS can do. The battery won't last beyond three hours on regular use if played like a 3DS. Also, the design isn't really for long handheld gaming, unlike the 3DS which is meant to be portable and easy to use, Polygon reported.
As for the 3DS, it will come with new games currently undergoing development. A Fire Emblem and Mario game is on the works as well. Also, with the sparked interest on the "Pokemon" franchise, it is not in vain to expect another instalment for the game as a follow-up of the "Pokemon Sun and Moon" in 3DS.
One thing that Kimishima guarantees is that they "are developing many other unannounced titles to continue to enrich the software lineup going forward."
