It all depends of Nintendo's plans. If they want to discontinue the 3DS after 2018 to focus on an unified library with the WiiU successor, or release a traditional handheld during 2017, it all depends of their ability of keeping the system interesting. They can keep the system alive for as long as they want, there's no need to rush their projects.

They won't be keeping 3DS as their main system for too much longer when it's pulling 7m~ a year (or worse going forward).

You can bet a new handheld is coming late 2016 or early 2017.

No, I don't see it happening. I think the device is reaching saturation point in the West. The New model will--without a significant, new killer app, like an amiibo driven Pokemon game--sell largely to existing users. I'm expecting 65 million lifetime, now.

A shame, because I love my portables!

Unless they manage to convince people to buy the N3DS, most likely.

Big congrats to the psp. It's sold over 83m lifetime now. 3ds will not get near that.

80 million has always seemed ambitious to me... Really it would be rather ridiculous for this handheld to match a previous generation's numbers with the rise of smartphones and tablets.

If the 3ds comes close they ought to consider it a success; not long ago people were declaring the 3ds dead in the water. over 80% market share is nothing to scoff at.

I think 70 million is still realistic though over the next few years... Sales might be buoyed a bit by future releases such as Majora's Mask, especially if there's ever another price drop.

The only thing they know now is when to stop supporting a console in a dying market. Sadly for the vita that was just after release.

I doubt it will ever reach 80 million, as in this climate making 70 million be a huge achievement.

Nope, PSP was a bigger beast imo.

Wii U+ 3DS will be below PSP.