Disney Art Academy Being Removed From Nintendo 3DS eShop

Another Nintendo 3DS title comes to a close. While the Nintendo 3DS is one of the more successful consoles in the history of The Big N, more games have been taken off the digital eShop of the handheld console over time. The latest example is Disney Art Academy.

Disney Art Academy released in 2016, a rather late entry into the 3D handheld system. Arriving a year before the Nintendo Switch, Disney Art Academy reviewed well as a good time waster of an art game that used licensed Disney characters as its backdrop. But with the Nintendo 3DS having been discontinued, Disney Art Academy will soon be taken off digital shelves.

The digital version of Disney Art Academy will be discontinued on March 30, 2021, in both Japan and in Europe. Although it has not yet been confirmed that the game will be taken off of digital shelves in the US, it is likely. The March 30 date is rather interesting as it is one day before March 31, the day that Mario dies according to the Internet, as many Super Mario titles will also be taken off of digital and even physical shelves for an entirely different reason.

This is far from the first game that has been taken off of digital shelves for the Nintendo handheld, as plenty of DSi Ware and 3DS eShop games have been delisted since the 3DS has been discontinued. Although it is difficult to see, it is a normal process for a console that is no longer being sold. It is also something that is strange in a now digital era. Although those who purchased the digital games can still play them, it is odd to know that digital-only games specifically are simply no longer available to be purchased.

Before the Switch impressed players with its hybrid functionality, it was the 3DS that brought true 3D gaming on a handheld console. Since its release nearly a decade ago, the Nintendo 3DS has sold over 75 million units, making it an iconic piece of video game hardware that's revolutionized the handheld market.

Still, the legacy of the 3DS lives on through the massive list of its iconic games. Recently, Japanese outlet Famitsu revealed the top 30 best-selling physical 3DS games, including Pokemon X/Y, Animal Crossing: New Leaf, and many more. Of course, now that the Switch has taken the 3DS' place as Nintendo's flagship console, some who were not able to experience owning a 3DS may wonder if it's still worth picking up in 2021. While the answer to that question depends on gaming preferences, here are five important factors that could help players determine whether the 3DS is still worth a purchase in 2021.

One of the best features of the Nintendo 3DS is that it can play classic Nintendo games from up to six different generations. The Nintendo 3DS can play almost every DS cartridge, which is perfect for those who have an expansive collection of games from the 3DS' predecessor. Additionally, the original 3DS can also run digital games from the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and the NES.