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| A 'New Nintendo 3DS LL Hyrule Edition' console that is currently listed for nearly $1000 on eBay |
Remember digging through drawers for that old Nintendo 3DS? You might be sitting on a small fortune. In a dramatic twist for the gaming collectibles market, the discontinued handheld console is experiencing a price explosion that has veteran collectors and casual gamers alike doing double-takes.
Years after Nintendo ceased production in 2020, predictions of a value surge are coming true with a vengeance. What was once a budget-friendly used find is now commanding prices that rival the retail cost of modern consoles, including the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2.
A Decade-Old Console with a Modern-Day Price Tag
A quick search today reveals a landscape that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. On popular resale sites like eBay, the Nintendo 3DS XL routinely fetches between $200 and $350—a figure that often surpasses its original launch price.
For context, the original 3DS launched in 2011 at $249.99, a price that was famously slashed to $169.99 after initial sales struggles. Its bigger sibling, the 3DS XL (LL in Japan), followed in 2012 at around $199.99. Until recently, finding a used model for under $100 was commonplace. Now, as we near the end of 2025, used prices have ballooned to nearly 3.5 times what they were just a year ago, making some models about 76% more expensive than their debut.
Limited Editions Enter the Stratosphere
The standard models tell only part of the story. The premium "New Nintendo 3DS XL" in black, used and without its box, now averages around $277.50. If you have a complete-in-box version, you're looking at well over $400.
But for true collectors, the holy grails are the limited editions. Coveted models like the "New Nintendo 3DS LL Hyrule Edition" are listed at around $400 for the console alone. Find one in unopened, pristine condition with its original packaging, and listings approach a staggering $1,000.
Where to Find Them (If You're Looking to Buy or Sell):
For those curious about the current market or looking to snag a piece of history, prices fluctuate daily. You can check live listings for a Used Nintendo 3DS XL on eBay or even hunt for rare finds like the Nintendo 3DS Hyrule Edition. For those preferring a vetted option, a renewed Nintendo 3DS XL on Amazon is also an alternative, though stock is increasingly scarce.
Why the Sudden Nostalgia Tax?
So, what's driving this incredible appreciation? Experts point to a perfect storm of factors:
- The End of Production: Nintendo officially stopped manufacturing the 3DS nearly five years ago, shifting all focus to the hybrid Nintendo Switch. Finite supply meeting sustained demand is Economics 101.
- A Collector's Renaissance: There's a massive resurgent interest in gaming history, especially for hardware with unique features. The 3DS's glasses-free 3D effect and dual-screen design are now seen as iconic, irreplaceable quirks in a homogenous market.
- An Irreplaceable Library: The console hosts a rich, deep library of games—from legendary Zelda and Pokémon titles to beloved eshop exclusives—that are largely trapped on the hardware due to Nintendo's spotty digital preservation history.
Despite a famously rocky start, the 3DS clawed its way to become a monumental success, selling over 75 million units lifetime. It notably outlived its direct competitor, the PlayStation Vita, a console often praised for its superior hardware and gorgeous OLED screen but hampered by a weaker game library and proprietary memory cards.
The Bottom Line
The Nintendo 3DS's journey from discontinued gadget to coveted collectible is a powerful reminder of how nostalgia, scarcity, and unique technology can intersect. For those who held onto their unit, it's turned into an unexpected investment. For gamers looking to revisit childhood classics or experience its unique library for the first time, the cost of entry has never been higher. In the world of video games, it seems, the past is increasingly priceless.