As the gaming landscape evolves, the value of classic consoles like the Nintendo DS continues to pique the interest of collectors and players alike. Notably, popular titles such as Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver have seen impressive resale prices, reaching as much as $957.08, indicating a burgeoning market for these nostalgic gems. With projections showing the global gaming console market reaching $24.8 billion by 2025, the worth of the Nintendo DS in that year is poised to reflect both its enduring popularity and collectible status, making this guide essential for anyone looking to navigate the future of Nintendo’s beloved handheld.
Nintendo DS market value trends 2025
By 2025, the global gaming console market is anticipated to reach USD24.8 billion, continuing a steady growth trend with revenues expected to achieve USD25.3 billion in 2026 and USD25.7 billion in 2027. This growth trajectory suggests a stable demand for gaming consoles in the coming years.
In terms of specific hardware values, consider the following:
- Pokemon Platinum: $121.84, $145.47, $202.50
- Pokemon SoulSilver Version: $135.00, $183.05, $325.74
- Pokemon HeartGold Version: $141.87, $180.00, $482.92
- Pokemon Black Version 2: $127.20, $161.01, $289.99
- Pokemon Black: $77.61, $89.82, $224.16
- Pokemon White: $72.01, $99.99, $250.00
- Pokemon Diamond: $39.99, $49.75, $369.56
- Pokemon White Version 2: $134.13, $172.50, $280.99
- Pokemon SoulSilver Version [Pokewalker]: $220.43, $275.00, $662.50
- Pokemon HeartGold Version [Pokewalker]: $244.18, $341.85, $957.08
- Black Nintendo DS Lite: $60.35, $78.76, $351.64
- Pokemon Ranger: $28.47, $43.93, $355.23
- Pokemon Conquest: $62.50, $85.82, $195.24
- Nintendo DSi XL Blue: $89.98, $129.59, $649.99
Additionally, the revenue from physical hardware is forecasted to decrease slightly from USD19 billion in 2023 to USD18 billion in 2024 before returning to USD19 billion in 2025. In contrast, revenue from physical software is projected to decline to USD6 billion in both 2024 and 2025, indicating a shift away from physical sales.
Projections indicate that online sales are expected to account for 52.7% of the gaming console market by 2025, overtaking offline sales which will account for 47.3%. This shift highlights the growing preference for online purchasing among consumers.
It has also been noted that the Nintendo DS has achieved lifetime sales of 154.02 million units as of February 2024, reflecting its enduring popularity in the gaming market, positioning it closely behind the PlayStation 2 as one of the top-selling consoles in history.
Furthermore, it has been almost two years since the Wii U eShop closed and ten years since the DS was pulled from stores. Subsequently, DS games are harder to find than ever, and their prices are through the roof. Get ready to see some mind-boggling four-digit numbers.
Looking ahead, the projected growth rates for the following years show a more stable trend, with 2.9% in 2025 and consistent growth rates of 1.9% for both 2026 and 2027.
Finally, the launch of the Nintendo DSi appears to have reversed the trend for the Nintendo DS platform, stabilizing the average weekly rate of sales. The DS left production because the console itself had saturated the market spectacularly.
Factors affecting Nintendo DS worth
The factors affecting the value of Nintendo DS in 2025 include:
- Sales Numbers: The DS sold around 154 million units worldwide, while the 3DS sold a little less than half that, 76 million units worldwide. This historical performance influences resale value.
- Hardware Degradation: Over time, hardware degradation issues will inevitably arise, impacting the condition and functionality of existing devices.
- Market Dynamics: The success of competing handhelds like the Steam Deck may affect the demand for the Nintendo DS.
- Legacy and Catalog: The unique dual screen and touch input of DS hardware enabled developers to craft games impossible on other platforms. Many of these titles remain entertaining over a decade later, preserving their value.
- Re-releases and Compilations: The future value depends on Nintendo’s actions regarding re-releases, compilations, or remasters of DS games for modern platforms.
- Price Trends: Retro games may increase in value due to factors like rarity and demand. However, a decline in demand for home consoles or a shift towards other gaming platforms could impact financial performance.
- Strategic Shifts: With the success of the Switch bridging Nintendo’s portable and home console gaming, the decision to invest in dedicated handheld lines could influence the Nintendo DS’s value.
- Innovation: Nintendo can invest in research and development to stay at the forefront of gaming technology, exploring new areas like augmented reality (AR) and cloud gaming.
Various factors, both known and unknown, will contribute to the rise or fall of the Nintendo DS’s value in the coming years. You can explore more about the market dynamics in this Pestle Analysis of Nintendo.
Best platforms to sell Nintendo DS in 2025
To sell your Nintendo DS in 2025, consider the following platforms:
- Decluttr: This platform specializes in buying used electronics, including video games, consoles, and accessories. They offer free shipping, next-day payment, and guaranteed prices. You typically receive 50-75% of the retail value, depending on the game’s condition and popularity.
- SellCell: It saves you time and hassle by instantly comparing prices from all the leading buyers in one place. It’s the only site you need to shop around for the best price for your Nintendo DS.
- Facebook Marketplace: This platform is excellent for local sales with zero listing fees. You can reach nearby gamers and avoid shipping costs. Just take a picture of your item, describe it, list the price, and post.
- eBay: This remains a top choice for selling video games. While fees range from 10-15%, you’ll reach millions of potential buyers. Pro tip: Bundle games together or sell rare titles individually for maximum profit.
- GameStop: With a large presence in the gaming arena for in-person and online stores, you can compare buyback prices for store credit and cash payments online. GameStop offers up to 60% credit on game trades.
- Best Buy: You can trade in video games both online and in-store to get Best Buy gift cards. Enter your game title to see the current trade-in price and take advantage of promotions.
