Is The Battle Between Smartphones and the 3DS already over?

According to Slash Gear it is.

The article points out the 3DS' slow sales numbers since its launch while also pointing out how Apple's upcoming iPod 5 will beat the 3DS by providing "compelling gaming experiences." The tone of the article seems a bit mean spirited towards the Big N, even going so far as to say that "consumers do not and will not care about the 3DS."

That seems a bit harsh, considering that 3DS' sales have been up since the system's $80 price drop last month (something that the article clearly points out.) Personally, I think the 3DS is far from doomed in the current market. Admittedly, The main reason I have yet to be compelled to pick one up has been because of the system's abysmal battery life, its high launch price, and of course, its unimpressive launch titles. Nintendo has definitely gotten the 3DS started on more than a few wrong feet, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't have an audience. With Super Mario Land 3D and Mario Kart 3D coming out this holiday season, Nintendo's hardcore fanbase will definitely make their monetary support for their favorite gaming company count.

Plus, many hardcore gamers are still apprehensive about gaming primarily on smart phones and tablets due to the lack of proper thumbsticks and buttons. It's the hardcore market that the 3DS and Sony's upcoming Playstation Vita are competing for, so it is safe to say that there are indeed people who care about the 3DS. Does this mean that Nintendo shouldn't be worried about the future? Of course not. For all the support that Nintendo has from its hardcore fanbase, what made its previous handhelds such as the Game Boy and Nintendo DS so successful were casual, assessable games that served as fun distractions. In this way, the article has a point regarding Nintendo's unwillingness to evolve. After the 3DS' era is over, Nintendo is going to have to really improve and embrace its online download services if it hopes to stay relevant in the handheld market a generation from now.