Nintendo 3DS July Sales Almost Doubled in US, Thanks to Pokemon Go

The current generation of handheld consoles is being headed by the Nintendo 3DS and the Sony PlayStation Vita. The latter, however, has never really made a significant mark since its release despite being the more powerful device. And that essentially left the 3DS to singlehandedly carry the flag of handhelds during the rise of casual mobile gaming. Several years after its initial release, though, the 3DS may finally be nearing its valiant run. Well, Pokemon Go happened and things changed.

According to Nintendo, with help from NPD, the 3DS scored the distinction of being the most popular system, sales-wise, for the month of July 2016. Sales blew the roof open with an 80% increase compared to July 2015, notes Nintendo, but they didn't divulge any exact figures. The 3DS is currently represented by three items: the original 3DS, the New 3DS, and the 2DS. And according to Nintendo, the latter's price drop also had a hand in racking up sales, as well as the game Monster Hunter Generations.

Of course, the most obvious reason for the huge boost in sales is Niantic's augmented reality mobile game Pokemon Go, a game that Nintendo didn't even have a direct hand in. Nintendo admitted as much, stating that the "widespread positive public reception for the Pokémon Go mobile app, which has renewed interest in core Pokémon games onNintendo systems" is also one of the reasons. By "core Pokemon games" they mean Pokemon X & Y and Pokemon Alpha Sapphire & Omega Ruby. A third duo, Pokemon Sun & Moon, is currently scheduled for release this November, too, so that may have helped as well.

As you may know, Pokemon Go is not available on the 3DS, which makes you wonder how much more the system could have sold if it was. Although if Pokemon Go was for the 3DS in the first place, it may not have gotten the level of popularity it has now - its accessibility to even the most casual gamers and non-gamers is one of the reasons why it's so successful.