Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo 3DS
Basic Information
Type(s)	Handheld Console
Generation	Eighth
Manufacturer(s)	Nintendo
Predecessor(s)	Nintendo DS
Successor(s)	New Nintendo 3DS
Competitor(s)	PlayStation Vita
Unit(s) sold	Over 17.13 million worldwide
Top game(s)	Super Mario 3D Land
Technical Information
Variant(s)	Nintendo 3DS XL
Networking	Wi-Fi connectivity.
Supported Media	Game card, SD
Save Capabilities	Save to Game card/SD card
Input(s)
Voice recognition, 3D, Speakers
European Release
March 25, 2011
North American Release
March 27, 2011
Australian Release
March 31, 2011
Japanese Release
February 26, 2011
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The Nintendo 3DS (often abbreviated to simply 3DS) is a handheld video game console produced by Nintendo as the successor to the Nintendo DS. Its most prominent feature is the ability to display stereoscopic 3D effects without the use of 3D glasses or additional accessories. Other features include StreetPass and SpotPass tag modes, powered by Nintendo Network; augmented reality using its 3D cameras; and Virtual Console, which allows owners to download and play games originally released on older video game systems. The 3DS features backwards compatibility with Nintendo DS software, from Nintendo DSi to Nintendo DS. The 3DS handheld was announced at E3 2010. It is a direct competitor to the PlayStation Vita handheld console.

Design

The 3DS retains some of its old components from the DS. It still has a directional pad and an A, B, X and Y button. Along with those, it has new features: a circle pad that acts the same way as a D-pad; a home button on the bottom of the lower screen; an expandable stylus; two outer cameras enabling 2D and 3D photography,  one inner camera for 2D photography only, similar to the Nintendo DSi, an SD card slot, and a 3D depth slider. However, it lacks the Game Boy Advance game slot the Nintendo DS Lite had. It has features such as augmented reality, so they come with AR cards.

History

This isn't Nintendo's first attempt at a 3D console. The Virtual Boy was a failed attempt at creating 3D in 1995. The Virtual Boy, due to it being released earlier than intended and nauseating effects of the 3D, became a commercial failure for Nintendo. They thought that a 3D video game console was impossible, but despite this, Nintendo continued anyway. After experimenting with a 3D display on a Game Boy Advance SP, (which was only a test GBA SP and was never meant to be released and never did) they went on to create the 3DS.

Launch Titles

Europe

• Nintendogs + Cats
• The Sims 3
• Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
• Super Monkey Ball 3D
• Rayman 3D
• Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition
• Ridge Racer 3D
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Shadow Wars
• Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell 3D
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D
• Samurai Warriors
• Asphalt 3D

North America

• PilotWings Resort
• Steel Diver
• Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition
• Nintendogs + Cats
• Super Monkey Ball 3D
• Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 3D
• The Sims 3
• Samurai Warriors: Chronicles
• Ridge Racer 3D
• Madden NFL 11
• Bust-a-Move Universe
• Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
• Rayman 3D
• Asphalt 3D
• Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars
• Combat of Giants: Dinosaurs 3D
• Techtoroms

Games

Main article: List of Nintendo 3DS video games