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Nintendo discontinued the 3DS and never replaced the form factor. The eShop is closed, used prices keep climbing, and aging hinges and batteries make every secondhand unit a small gamble. If you miss the 3DS, or you want its library without babying a decade-old console, the modern handheld market has real answers. Here is what actually fills the gap, sorted by how faithfully it recreates the experience.
We frame all of this around playing games you already own.
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The True Successor: AYN Thor
The AYN Thor is the closest thing to a modern 3DS that exists. It has two physical AMOLED screens in a clamshell body, and the bottom screen is a real touchscreen. DS and 3DS games work exactly as designed: top screen up top, touch input on the bottom, no layout compromises. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inside runs both libraries upscaled far beyond original hardware, and it covers every other retro system as a bonus.
It costs $299 and up, which is serious money. It is also the only device on this list where Nintendogs, Phantom Hourglass, and Elite Beat Agents feel native rather than adapted.
The Premium Dual Screen: AYANEO Pocket DS
The AYANEO Pocket DS takes the same two-screen concept upmarket, with a larger main panel and AYANEO's premium build. It is more expensive and more of a statement piece. For most people the Thor is the smarter buy, but the Pocket DS exists for the buyer who wants the flagship version of the idea. Our dual screen handhelds overview compares the field.
The Modular Option: Retroid Pocket Nova with the Dual Screen Add-On
The Retroid Pocket Nova is a single-screen 4:3 handheld with a clever trick: an official dual screen add-on that attaches a second display for DS and 3DS play. You get a compact everyday device that converts into a dual-screen machine when the library calls for it. It is less seamless than the Thor, and more flexible.
The Budget Dual Screen: Anbernic RG DS
The Anbernic RG DS brings two physical screens down to a friendlier price. It gives up the flagship chip, so it is a DS-first machine with lighter 3DS reach, but if the dual-screen experience matters more than maximum power it earns its slot.
The Single Screen Path: Retroid Pocket 6
You do not strictly need two screens. On the Retroid Pocket 6, the Azahar emulator arranges both 3DS screens on the tall 5.5 inch AMOLED, with the touchscreen handling stylus input. It is the best value route into the 3DS library, and the RP6 covers everything else through GameCube and PS2 too. Our Azahar setup guide covers the layout options.
The Form Factor Fix: Modern Clamshells
Maybe what you miss is not the two screens but the flip. The clamshell feel, the snap shut, the screen protected in a bag. The Retroid Pocket Flip 2 delivers that with Android power, and the Anbernic RG34XX SP delivers it for $70. Our best clamshell handhelds guide ranks the whole category.
Which Should You Buy?
- Most faithful 3DS feeling: AYN Thor. Two screens, real touch, huge power.
- Best value into the library: Retroid Pocket 6 with Azahar.
- Most flexible: Retroid Pocket Nova plus the add-on.
- Cheapest dual screen: Anbernic RG DS.
- Just want the flip: Retroid Pocket Flip 2 or RG34XX SP.
For the full hardware rankings behind these picks, see our best handhelds for DS and 3DS emulation guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an official 3DS successor?
No. Nintendo folded its handheld line into the Switch family, which has no second screen. Every 3DS-style experience today comes from the enthusiast handheld market plus emulation of games you own.
Can these devices play 3DS games legally?
The devices are legal, the Azahar emulator is legal, and playing games you dumped from your own console and cartridges is the preservation-friendly path. You supply keys and games from hardware you own. Our ROMs and legality guide covers the details.
Should I just buy a used 3DS instead?
If you want StreetPass, the autostereoscopic 3D effect, or original hardware for its own sake, yes, a well-kept used unit is still lovely. For everything else, the devices above are cheaper to run, more capable, and not living on a decade-old battery.
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