Up until now, all of our gift ideas have focused around the Wii U and other home consoles in some way. Nintendo also makes a pretty amazing handheld in the Nintendo 3DS and despite its rocky start way back in 2011, it’s one of the best handheld consoles Nintendo has ever made. If a gamer in your life loves their Nintendo 3DS, why not help them out by gifting them accessories? The nice thing about these is they’re pretty cheap, so they make great stocking stuffers.
The only thing you have to know in regards to the system is whether or not your gamer has the Nintendo 3DS, which is the smaller system, or the Nintendo 3DS XL, which is the larger system. This comes into play when you’re considering cases or other enclosures for the Nintendo 3DS, but other accessories and games, it doesn’t matter at all. With that said, here are a few examples of accessories that would make great gifts for any Nintendo 3DS owner.
Nyko Charge Base + PowerPak for the Nintendo 3DS
The Nyko Charge Base and PowerPak kit is a great gift for the original Nintendo 3DS because it has such a low battery life. The handheld can manage about 4 hours of life before needing to be recharged, which isn’t that great if you’re playing it intermittently while you go about your day. This kit includes both the base and the PowerPak, with the PowerPak adding about three extra hours to the life of the console for a little bit extra bulk.
When I had an original model Nintendo 3DS I used this and enjoyed it, but you should be aware that this is an addon that will require you removing the back from your Nintendo 3DS in order to install it. The necessary screwdriver is included, but I had a difficult time using it. It’s recommended you pick up an additional metal screwdriver if you plan on getting this pack.
Nintendo 3DS Game Case
With the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo gave us the ability to buy digital titles so we don’t have to carry around cartridges. That’s nice, but given how Nintendo’s account system currently works, many gamers prefer to have these cartridges. If your gamer doesn’t have some sort of way to keep them together easily, this official accessory is just the ticket. It holds up to 24 games and 2 SD cards, so you can keep everything together and not have to hunt for a cartridge.
Other Accessories
Of course, there are some other accessory ideas you can consider as well. If your gift recipient is a younger child, extra 3DS stylii in the stocking is a good option.
Cases also make a good option for gifts, but you’ll need to know a bit about your recipient, such as their favorite color. There are hundreds of options, but if you’re looking for a neutral color to give, AmazonBasics makes a nice zip up case. For those who like the case to actually be attached to the console while it’s in use, try this Hori clear cases.
Wii U Daily Gift-A-Day Giveaway
This post is part of our Gift-A-Day giveaway that we announced earlier this month. Each day until December 21 we’ll be posting one unique gift idea for any gamers in your life, including yourself! We know how hard it can be to get something for the gamer who has everything, so we’re hoping to make that a little easier this holiday season. Prizes include Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, GameCube controllers, amiibo, and even some special surprises we’ll reveal in our live hangout when we announce winners.
Enter below for your chance to win. Winners will be announced on December 22 in a live hangout, where winners will be matched with their prizes. For a look at some of the things we’ll be giving away that day, check out the original announcement post.