The 3DS isn't going to be scrapped yet. Far too early in its life cycle to tell. Once the software starts pouring through sales should pick up. It'd be more sensible to ask this question in a years time if sales are still at current levels.

Im sure the 3DS will sell pretty well but Nintendo needs a completely new way of operating before they can recapture DS like sales again. I suspect they haven't responded as well as they could have to the iPad/iTouch and the iOS/Android smart-phones out there. They won't scrap the 3DS because they simply don't need to and at worst they'll cut the price and bump out the DS from the lineup and use that as their low end handheld.

Alright the writers here at VGChartz and a fifth of the VG users caught on to the fact I was asking a hypothetical question. Could Nintendo scrap the 3DS, I wasn't in anyway suggesting they will or in any way predicting its down fall.

I was asked by a friend if the NGP launched and 3DS sales did not gain could Nintendo scrap the 3DS. Even as such I was not saying NGP would crush Nintendo, I wasn't suggesting I think NGP even has a chance though I won't further comment as to not open that can of worms.

The question was and is simple, could Nintendo scrap the 3DS?

My response is "no" I don't think Nintendo could scrap the 3DS. Why can't Nintendo scrap the 3DS.

Hardware support - Look at what happened to Sega when they constantly released new hardware. A few hardcore supporters bought the new hardware, however releasing so many add ons and upgrades consumers just stopped purchasing them and turned on Sega. If Nintendo scrapped the 3DS and unvieled a new handheld anytime soon I think many hardcore consumers would hold off on a purchase and some early adopters would as well. If the product wasn't extremely good and priced it would do just as bad if not worse then 3DS.

Third party support - Again I'll have to reference Sega. Sega had developers working hard on Saturn games and didn't give many of them much notice when they suddenly switched to DreamCast. Many developers had long term plans for Sega's consoles but Sega enraged them by upgrading and leaving them in the dark. With 3DS Nintendo has alot of third parties developing software and a scrapping of 3DS would enrage third parties at a time Nintendo is trying to build stronger relations.

Software sales - Nintendo's own first party development has been focused on 3DS and likely Cafe. The software needs to sell and Nintendo is placing all of its heavy hitters later this year. If NGP did infact out gun 3DS Nintendo would need that software to sell and break even.

Breaking even - As another member mentioned Nintendo will not want to loose money, they will want to make back their R&D. This means keeping the system alive. If Nintendo scrapped the 3DS before it had made back the R&D they would need the next handheld to make back its R&D and 3DS's.

Building quality recognition - With DS , Wii and all earlier consoles with the exception of Virtual Boy Nintendo has made a huge name for itself as a quality console maker. The name of Nintendo would be tarnished big time by such a move. It would hurt the companies image in turn hurting its pocket book via investors.

I could go on but don't need to. I told my friend that if Nintendo did scrap 3DS it would take a very big blow and I don't think Nintendo would do that. I also raised the point that Nintendo has billions in reserves and are planning a new marketing plan. I said Nintendo would likely throw a huge campaign behind it before allowing it to go under.

But answered the hypothetical question as a yes and no.

No Nintendo can't afford to take such a blow to their reputation and damage relations with developers and investors. But financially Nintendo does have enough capital to take such a blow if they ever decided to scrap a console.

What are your thoughts on my points?

the thing is does nintendo really need to, I mean the gameboy design stayed in production for 14 years. if something is fixed don't break it and while i do believe nintendo will change the form factor if they need to implement some new hardware, I don't believe they should do so just to try and one up the smartphone market.the games are what make a system and the ds didn't take off until it has compelling software and if the 3ds gets compelling software that takes advantage of all it's feature then it will be successful same ds form factor or not.

Nintendo bested Sony/Microsoft by changing the control scheme, now they are facing the pure touch iOS style devices and on the other hand their dedicated handheld competition has incorporated significant improvements in control. They effectively stood still whilst their competitors innovated how people played games, this is the problem.

No.  Nintendo can not scrap the DS.

•  May 19, 2011. At approximately 10:21pm, the Nintendo 3DS becomes self aware.
• May 21, 2011. It begins to target mankind.  The first human casualty occurs on that day.
• June 2, 2011.  Nintendo game designer Sigeru Miyamoto takes his own life.  HIs final words:  "I just wanted to make people happy."
• June 3, 2011.  Nintendo's "Reggie" revealed to be a cybernetic humanoid robot (T-800).  No one is surprised.
• June 7, 2011.  Judgement day.  In an effort to destroy its enemies, the Nintendo DS launches nuclear missles at its enemy, Sony.  In retalliation, Sony launches their nuclear missles back at Nintendo.  Mankind is decimated.  This marks the rise of the machines.

So yeah.  Everyone is right to mock the OP.  Also, come mit me if you want to live.

They don't want to admit it, but they thought that my thread was cool.

On topic:  Of course they shouldn't scrap the 3DS.  It was just released.

Lol. Best post in this thread.

look man, the tech is 'mature enough' to use. It's not perfect, neither was Wiimote when it launched but it's mature enough to use.

Nintendo will probably release a revision with better 3D like they released M-Plus for Wiimote, but the 3D is fine for what it needs to be.

lol @ NGP beating 3DS