The Question: Is the 3DS a flop?

[Every Friday, Destructoid will pose topical a question to the community. Answer it if you want!]

This week has undoubtedly been dominated by the 3DS price cut and the considerable fallout that’s followed. As such, this week’s Question can only be about one thing. 

Nintendo itself has acknowledged that the 3DS did not perform as expected, and the slashing of $80 from its MSRP within the first six months of its lifespan only confirms a pretty bad run.

Of course, there are those who argue that the original DS also sold poorly during its first year, and picked up pace later. 

This is true, but it was a different market back then. With a PS Vita breathing down its neck and mobile gaming growing at an exponential rate, the 3DS is in far more dangerous waters than the DS was. Taking into account modern standards only, can we say the 3DS has as much chance to succeed as the DS did? Will it emerge victorious, or has it well and truly failed?

That is the question this week — is the 3DS a lost cause, or a success story just waiting to happen?