Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo 3DS
Information
Manufacturer	Nintendo
Type	Handheld Game Console
Released	Nintendo 3DS: February 26, 2011 March 25, 2011 March 25, 2011 March 27, 2011 March 27, 2011 March 31, 2011 March 31, 2011 April 5, 2011 July 9, 2011 April 28, 2012 September 28, 2012 September 28, 2012 September 28, 2012 Nintendo 3DS XL: July 28, 2012 (as Nintendo 3DS LL) July 28, 2012 July 28, 2012 August 19, 2012 August 19, 2012 August 23, 2012 August 23, 2012 September 3, 2012 September 20, 2012 September 28, 2012 September 28, 2012 December 7, 2012 (as iQue 3DS XL) Nintendo 2DS: October 12, 2013 October 12, 2013 October 12, 2013 October 12, 2013 October 12, 2013 October 12, 2013 October 19, 2013 December 7, 2013 February 27, 2016 New Nintendo 3DS: October 11, 2014 November 2014 November 21, 2014 November 21, 2014 January 6, 2015 (Ambassador Edition) February 13, 2015 (Standard Release) February 13, 2015 September 10, 2015 September 25, 2015 September 25, 2015 2015 New Nintendo 3DS XL: October 11, 2014 (as New Nintendo 3DS LL) November 2014 November 21, 2014 November 21, 2014 February 13, 2015 February 13, 2015 February 13, 2015 February 13, 2015 May 1, 2015 2015 New Nintendo 2DS XL: June 15, 2017 June 15, 2017 July 13, 2017 (as New Nintendo 2DS LL) July 13, 2017 July 28, 2017 July 28, 2017 July 28, 2017 July 28, 2017
Lifespan	2011-present (discontinued in some countries)
Discontinued	Nintendo 3DS: February 10, 2015 Nintendo 3DS XL: February 10, 2015 February 10, 2015 Nintendo 2DS: N/A New Nintendo 3DS: July 14, 2017 July 14, 2017 New Nintendo 3DS XL: December 30, 2017 July 25, 2019 New Nintendo 2DS XL: N/A
Media	Nintendo DS Game Cards Nintendo DSi Game Cards Nintendo 3DS Game Cards New Nintendo 3DS Game Cards (New 3DS, New 3DS XL, and New 2DS XL only) Digital distribution SD/SDHC cards
Inputs	A/B/X/Y Buttons Circle Pad L/R Bumpers D-pad 3D Depth Slider Volume Slider Wireless Switch Power Button
Competitor	PlayStation Vita
Backwards compatibility	Nintendo DS Nintendo DSi
Predecessor	Nintendo DS (2004)
Successor	N/A

The Nintendo 3DS (also called 3DS or N3DS) is a handheld published by Nintendo, which can produce "3D effects without the need for any special glasses." It was released in March 2011, the portable succeeded the Nintendo DS series of handhelds, which primarily shares the handheld console market with Sony's PSP (PlayStation Portable) and ran from 2004-2014. The Nintendo 3DS features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including DSiWare programmed for the Nintendo DSi. The original model was discontinued in Europe on February 10, 2015, the 3DS XL was discontinued in Europe and Japan on February 10, 2015, the New 3DS was discontinued in Japan and Europe on July 14, 2017, the New 3DS XL was discontinued in Europe on December 30, 2017 and in Japan on July 25, 2019, and the original 2DS was discontinued in North America on February 8, 2020, leaving the New 2DS XL the only 3DS model as well as the only handheld model to still be in production worldwide.

Mario Kart 7 was released on the Nintendo 3DS, but Mario Kart DS can also be played on it (though it doesn't have 3D. Too bad.).

Features

Mario Kart 7 on the original Nintendo 3DS.

The Nintendo 3DS has two screens; the top screen is a 3.53-inch 3D screen with a resolution of 800x240 pixels (400x240 pixels per eye, WQVGA) that is able to produce a stereoscopic three-dimensional effect without 3D glasses, while the bottom screen is a 3.02-inch non-3D touch panel with a resolution of 320x240 pixels (QVGA). The 3DS weighs approximately 8 oz. and, when closed, is 5.3 inches wide, 2.9 inches long, and 0.8 inches tall.

Like the Nintendo DS, it features the usual A, B, X, Y, Start, Select, and Power Buttons with the D-Pad.

The system features several additions to the design of the original Nintendo DS, including a slider on the side of the device that adjusts the intensity of the 3D effect, a round nub analog input called the "Slide Pad", an accelerometer, and a gyroscope. In addition, there is an infra-red communicator port situated on the top of the unit.

The 3DS has two cameras on the outside of the device, capable of taking 3D photos, as well as a camera positioned above the top screen that faces the player; both cameras have a resolution of 640x480 pixels (0.3 Megapixel). The system also has 3D movie playback capability, and was shown able to record 3D video content.

Nintendo has made deals with Warner Bros, Disney, and DreamWorks to deliver 3D movies including Warner Bros' Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, Disney's Tangled, and DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon.

It is compatible with both Nintendo DS and DSi games, and a new generation of 3DS games. More than twenty companies have signed on to develop for the 3DS, currently supporting a list of over 70 titles.

The Nintendo 3DS cartridges will hold 2GB of game data and look almost exactly the same as those of the current DS. However, there is a small tab jutting out on the one side, most likely to prevent 3DS cards from being inserted in the 1st generation DS It has also been hinted that the 3DS would sport an e-reader app as well.

The 3DS possesses Wi-Fi capabilities and periodically searches for Wi-Fi hotspots and other 3DSs without user input, and will be able to receive data from the Internet or other 3DS models while in sleep mode. The system supports multiplayer gameplay via a local wireless connection or over the Internet.

The system has been shown in five color schemes: black & blue, black & red, black & grey, black & gold, and black & purple.

The latest system update opens a theme shop, allowing you to give your Home Menu a new look.

Trivia!

• Like the DSi and DSi XL, none of the 3DS models are backwards compatible with GBA games, but unlike the Game Boy Micro and the DS family, GB and GBC games are available on the 3DS Virtual Console.
• The Nintendo 3DS has some variants:
  • Nintendo 3DS XL, which has the same exact body and functions, except larger in size.
  • Nintendo 2DS, is much flatter than the 3DS, but does not have the clamshell design and 3D feature, though it can still play DS, DSi, and 3DS games.
  • New Nintendo 3DS, has most of its features located differently, the power button and game card slot being on the front bottom side, and the SD Card has moved to the inside of the system. This handheld console also adds the C-Stick, for enhanced controls. The extra ZL and ZR buttons have also been added, and Amiibo compatibility is built-in.
  • New Nintendo 3DS XL, which has the same exact body and functions as the New 3DS, except larger in size.
  • The Nintendo 2DS XL, takes the look of a traditional 3DS, similarly to the 2DS it does not have the 3D feature.

External Links

• Nintendo E3 Network - Nintendo 3DS