Is a Nintendo 3DS still worth buying in 2026?

Portable gaming is increasingly comparable to home console prices, especially in the wake of RAM shortages. In early September, the Nintendo Switch 2 saw its price increase from $450 to $500. While it’s still not as expensive as other handhelds like the Steam Deck or Xbox Ally, that makes it a harder sell for anyone who was considering the Nintendo device.

This price trend might make you wonder if it’s worth looking back to the past to find a better option. If you’re already a Nintendo fan and considering the Switch 2, considering the Nintendo 3DS as a potential alternative makes perfect sense. I recently got my old 3DS XL back and found a lot of value even after several years of life. But if you’re buying one for the first time, there are also downsides to consider.

One of the biggest downsides to buying a 3DS in 2026 is the price. Perhaps it was the market predicting that consumers would want an alternative to the Nintendo Switch 2, or perhaps it had just been long enough since the device’s discontinuation that nostalgia kicked in. Whatever the reason, the 3DS line is currently selling for a much higher price than at launch. You used to be able to find a used 3DS for around $100; Now, it’s not uncommon for a refurbished model at GameStop to sell for $250 — and that’s even higher for an XL.

Compared to a refurbished original Nintendo Switch, which currently sells for around $180, the newer console is the better deal. Depending on what you’re looking for in a device, you might be better off just getting a Switch 1 (or saving up for a Switch 2). Some 3DS titles can also be played on the Switch via ports or remakes, so which one is right for you depends partly on what you want to play.

For the absolute lowest cost, it’s also worth considering an alternative from a company like Anbernic, which produces handheld DS-like emulators for just $95. These are limited to DS and earlier emulations (not 3DS), but are a good option for catching up with older portable libraries.

The double whammy of the 3DS eShop closing in 2023 and its online servers shutting down in 2024 have left the device in a tough situation. You lose fun multiplayer sessions and the absolute icon that Miiverse was. While the beloved StreetPass still works since it doesn’t rely on Nintendo servers, it’s not very useful without other 3DS users nearby.

Plus, you’re relegated to searching for physical copies of the games you want to play. While some 3DS games can still be found at a fairly reasonable price, others like Yokai Watch series and Dragon Quest VIII: Odyssey of the Cursed King are selling for much more than at launch.

The 3DS is arguably the most portable consumer gaming device since the original DS. Yes, the Nintendo Switch line and new arrivals like the Xbox ROG Ally are portable, but they aren’t compact “slip-in-a-pocket-or-purse” tiers. As someone who travels the subway a lot, being able to put my 3DS in my jacket pocket instead of needing a tote or backpack has done wonders for my spine. It is not only extremely portable, but also very durable. The clamshell design is like built-in armor, and if maintenance is required, basic repairs such as replacing the ring pad or shell can be carried out easily.

Although the eShop and online services are gone, there are promising community-led fixes for both. Pretendo is a long-running project that aims to replace the servers on the Wii U and 3DS, and while not all games are up and running with the service yet, it’s a promising alternative. Using it requires modding, but the 3DS is one of the most easily moddable consoles, requiring nothing more than an SD card to do so. Along the same lines, modding can allow you to access many games – 3DS or not – using emulation software. This makes the lack of an eShop much less urgent.

This doesn’t mean you’ll be able to run the latest Switch games on your 3DS, but if you’re just looking for a nostalgic catalog, this can be a solid option. Not only is the emulated library a blast from the past, so is the interface of the 3DS itself. Unlike current consoles, it’s designed purely for gaming and has that classic Nintendo charm. There are no annoying notifications or ads, making the 3DS perfect for anyone who wants to disconnect from everything except the game itself.