Is Nintendo finally saying goodbye to its original 3DS product line?
Based on the observation of Destructoid, the Japanese gaming device manufacturer removed the popular portable gaming device on its official website. It also reported that online and store retailers in the U.S. and the U.K. are running low on stocks.
The report mentioned that the Coral Pink version of the Nintendo 3DS, which is exclusively sold by Toys "R" Us in the U.S., has been removed from the retailer's website without any announcement. Although the said model can still be purchased in the official Nintendo store, all the other 3DS models are now hard to find. Also, other U.S. retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy are not carrying the product anymore, while GameStop said outright that Nintendo has already discontinued the manufacturing of the product.
Similar occurrence is happening over in the U.K., wherein the websites of GameStop UK and GAME are now showing the new versions of the Nintendo 3DS instead of the original one.
However, Nintendo has not confirmed the news that they are already discontinuing the old 3DS line. According to a source from the Japanese gaming company, they "haven't announced anything with regard to the original 3DS at this stage."
Still, the company is now busy preparing for the unveiling of the new line of Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo 3DS XL models in the North American and European markets. This could be the reason why they are not replenishing the old line at this point.
Several months ago, the original Nintendo 3DS line was discontinued in Japan so that the company could concentrate their production and marketing efforts on the new Nintendo 3DS XL. This new model features a widely improved gaming system, complete with added buttons located at the 3DS Circle Pad accessory and an additional analogue stick.
