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The big Pocket Gamer accessory guide 2018 - 3DS accessories

3DS accessories: Nintendo's ageing handheld needs a bit of TLC

The big Pocket Gamer accessory guide 2018 - 3DS accessories
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3DS
Updated 3rd June: We've added some new accessories to enhance your 3DS gaming this summer.


There's no doubt about it - the Nintendo 3DS is firmly into its autumn years, with the Switch hoovering up all of the attention.

It's easy to forget, however, that the latest model (the New 2DS XL) only launched in mid-2017, so there's evidently life in the old dog yet. Besides, it retains an vast library of games that other platforms must envy.

Games aside, though, there's also a booming trade in 3DS accessories to think about. Many of these provide simple protection or cosmetic enhancements, but many also add whole new functionality to the handheld.

So, whether you're personalising your New Nintendo 3DS with a new faceplate, scouting for a cool case to lug it around in, or simply on the look-out for a charger, here are some top 3DS accessories.

Hori New Nintendo 2DS XL Premium Pikachu Protector

The latest (last?) 3DS model might do away with the neat interchangeable faceplate feature of the New Nintendo 3DS, but official Nintendo accessoriser Hori has a New Nintendo 2DS XL owners covered. As long as you like Pokemon, that is. By way of a bonus, this cover will also protect your handheld from knocks and scrapes.

Suggested price: £18
Buy from Amazon


Orzly Carry Case for Nintendo 2DS XL

The new Nintendo 2DS XL is a pretty robust machine - certainly when compared to the Switch. But you'll still want to keep it safe and tidy whilst carrying it around, so this simple-but-effective solution from Orzly might be in order. It'll store eight games too.

Suggested price: £10
Buy from Amazon
Gozar ABS Handheld Hand Grip

The Nintendo 2DS XL is one of the most comfortable devices in the series to hold, but it's still a portable device with inherent compromises. If you're bedding in for an extended play session, the ABS Handheld Hand Grip will give you a much more natural, ergonomic grip.

Suggested price: £10
Buy from Amazon
Question Block 3DS Game Card Case

Carry up to 10 Nintendo 3DS game cards in a box that looks like the question block from the Mario games. It pops open with the push of a button. You've clicked the 'buy' link already, haven't you?

Suggested price: £13
Buy from Nintendo



Datel Action Replay Power Saves

A bit of a blast from the past, this. Action Replay 'cheat' cartridges used to be massive in the '90s, and the spirit of cracking games open with a virtual skeleton key is alive and well on 3DS.

Suggested price: £13.65
Buy from Amazon



Nintendo Power Adapter

It still slightly befuddles us that the latest 3DS models don't come with a power charger. Crazy! Fortunately, you can pick up an official Nintendo unit for not a lot of money if you shop around.

Suggested price: £13
Buy from Amazon


DelTex USB Power Charger Cable

Of course, you don't have to buy Nintendo's official charger. In fact, all you really need is this cable (or some other cheap third party variant) and the plug bit of your smartphone charger.

Suggested price: £3
Buy from Amazon
New Nintendo 3DS Charging Cradle

Sorry to harp on about this charging malarkey, but the truth is that it's the main thing you'll be doing with your 3DS other than playing it. This charging cradle takes a lot of the fiddle out of the process, letting you simply sit the device in a stand when you need some juice.

Suggested price: £7
Buy from Amazon


The Legend of Zelda: Adventurer's Pouch Kit

We don't really care if this is the best or most practical 3DS case on the market (it's not). The Zelda Pouch Kit makes you want to hook it to your belt and scamper off for an adventure in the woods. It also features two Zelda-themed styluses, a Hyrule map and a cleaning cloth.

Suggested price: £15
Buy from Amazon


NFC amiibo Reader/Writer

If you're still rocking one of the old 3DS models or a 2DS, then you won't have the ability to scan in Nintendo's cool amiibo figures for bonus features in certain games. Don't worry though - just buy this little gadget, which acts as a wireless intermediary between amiibo and handheld.

Suggested price: £40
Buy from Amazon


Cover Plates for New 3DS

If you do have a New 3DS, you've got yourself the most customisable system on the market. You can buy Cover Plates that snap onto the top and bottom halves, instantly giving your handheld a new look.

Suggested price: £5
Buy from Amazon


Circle Pad Pro

Like the NFC reader, the Circle Pad Pro adds a new function to older 3DS models. In this case it's a secondary analogue nubbin and extra buttons, the former of which makes many games more playable - particularly third-person games with twitchy cameras.

Suggested price: £14
Buy from Amazon


Keten Case for New 3DS/New 3DS XL

If you're going on a long trip and want to keep your New 3DS, games, and charger all together and safe, this looks like a good bet. It's a hard, structured case with space for the console, eight games, a charger, and a more heavy-duty stylus.

Suggested price: £9
Buy from Amazon

Jon Mundy
Jon Mundy
Jon is a consummate expert in adventure, action, and sports games. Which is just as well, as in real life he's timid, lazy, and unfit. It's amazing how these things even themselves out.