The real reason why 3DS sells so much

The 3ds is a great system, with fantastic games, but if you think it's sold this much because it's clearly a superior gaming device, you're wrong. It sells because its main demographic are the kiddies. Just go to any mall or any local toy store and you'll see what I mean. You'll see kids holding their 3DSes with one hand while holding mommy's hand in the other. The reason why a Sony portable exist is because they saw an opening to target the older, more hardcore crowd. Unfortunately, because the Vita is lagging in sales, they are only now trying to appeal to the casual market (see the new Vita Pets game and the new Vita model that comes with new colors). So there you have it folks, the real reason why 3ds sells so much. You can thank me later.

What difference does it make why a product sells or what demographics something includes?

College students are also a big market, never underestimate a population looking for cheap entertainment on the go.

I think you really answered the question right here

Maybe it's one of the reasons but not all of them, as the post above me shows.

Games. Price.

I'm 30 and own one. My wife is 25 and owns one.

really? everything i hear in the media tells me the kiddies want tablets and phones (assuming they want electronics), not 3DSs. i dont think i have ever seen a survey where the 3DS was high on the list. just had a quick look around and the 3DS was never even mentioned (i didnt specifiy the term 3DS as that would skew the results).

thats not to say that kids dont have or use the 3DS....but i dont think they are as big a driving force as you think.

the 3DS sells because of its selection of games at the end of the day.

the vita is tanking (sadly, love my vita) because sony treat it like an unwanted stepchild. the vita is a superior protable device to play games on and it does have its own selection of good games (tearaway released recently, great game that could only work on the vita). but when it comes to games selection the vita is simply outclassed by the 3DS.

I thought everyone knew this.

I know I would never buy a tablet or a phone for a child, and I'm sure that many feel the same way.

3DS came out the gate a huge flop.

Then...GAMES CAME OUT. Good...great..and some truly great games. Games sell hardware. Age old rule. 3DS has the games. That is why it sells. Your assertion that it only sells well because of kids is....well it's wrong.

Oh look it's the kiddies argument again.

So because you saw some kids at malls have a 3DS it must mean that its main demographic is kids. Nice !

pretty sound argument if you are trying to argue with a chimpanzee

It sells so much because it's the best handheld on the market, period.

That's true for most systems. So many kids had a PS1 & PS2. The kids are the reason they sell so much.

I think its great that people of all ages can enjoy the 3DS

The Price is good and there's a lot of good games.

You don't need to be a Kid to enjoy the 3DS either.

You just answered your own question.

It's a decent system, with a decent lineup of games, a cheaper price tag, a strong brand name behind it, a company that generally understands and lends itself to that market, and has the bonus of a diehard(borderline cult freaks) fanbase.

Simply saying it "sells to the kids" is over simplifying it. Sure it does sell to kids, but really it sells for a host of other reasons as well. Another being that its main competitor is a poorly handled product.

Why do you think they created the 2ds? Big money with the kiddies

who cares?

pokemon....thats why

monster hunter in japan

good price.

see this contradicts your OP

nintendo made the 2DS to get more kids on board which means they werent satisified with the small number they had before...

Let me guess, you used your birthday money to buy a Vita and now you're upset?

That's OK, just tell your mommy and daddy that you want a 3DS for Christmas.

It sells because it has great games. lol at trying to say it sells JUST because of kids.

Absolutely because of the large kids and casual market they still cater to, and which they do so wonderfully. Why the **** not?

What the hell is this?

an arguement... you should try it some time.

vita tried to have an all-in-one portable experience and got beat out by the iphone.

The biggest demographic for the new Pokemon games was college students, just saying.

kids these days are carrying around smartphones and playing shitty games on them and it's quite different from the Gameboy era. i rarely see anyone in their teens or under with a portable gaming system.

Damage control at its best.

I've seen more adults with them than kids actually. I'd put the 3DS in the "for everyone" category. A very family friendly system (much like the Nintendo brand itself).

Funny thing is when I see someone with a Vita it's a kid. I have yet to see anyone other than a kid with a Vita. While the 3DS I've seen plenty of of kids, teens and adults with the system.

young people love punny game device

So Nintendo is good for kids. Is that a bad thing? But as someone already said, Nintendo is pretty big among college students too. I am a college student, and seriously, I think Pokemon might be as famous now as it was among my classmates in middle school!

Insecure cow alert.

Everyone don't move and wait for it to get slaughtered.

I own a 3ds and think it's great. But people who praise the system aren't getting the whole picture.

vita is lagging behind in sales because it sucks

i see a few older people (in their late 30's) on the train with 3DS's also..they were playing pokemon/Mario3DLand. but just by looking at them you can tell they're losers

The handheld market is all Nintendo's got left since the Wii U is a failure.