Nintendo 3DS

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Nintendo 3DS
ニンテンドー3DSNintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS
Release dates
Japan:February 26, 2011
North America:March 27, 2011
Europe:March 25, 2011
Australia:March 31, 2011
South Korea:April 28, 2012
China:N/A
Hong Kong:September 28, 2012
Taiwan:September 28, 2012
Technical specs
  • GPU: Digital Media ProfessionalsPICA200 GPU
  • Size: 134.6mm×73.7mm×20.3mm
  • Screen size: 3.53 inches (top) 3.02 inches (bottom)
  • Screen resolution: 400×240 (top), 320×240 (bottom)
  • Weight: 287g
  • Camera: One inner and two outer cameras at 0.3 Megapixels
Related information
Console generation:Eighth generation
Pokémon generations:I*,II*,III*,IV*,V*,VI,VII
Console type:Handheld
Colors:
Cosmo Black
Aqua Blue
Flame Red
Pearl Pink
Cobalt Blue
Midnight Purple
Cerulean Blue
Gloss Pink
Ice White
Metallic Red
Faded Orange*
Pink*
Green*
External links

TheNintendo 3DS (Japanese:ニンテンドー3DSNintendo 3DS) isNintendo's handheld game console for theeighth generation of video games, which serves as one of the company's competitions for Sony'sPlayStation Vita, the other being theNintendo Switch.

Announced in a March 23, 2010 press release,[1] the Nintendo 3DS is fully backwards-compatible with allNintendo DS games (except those that require the GBA slot). Its revolutionary feature, however, is its ability to display stereoscopic 3D graphics without the use of glasses, using the technique ofparallax barrier.

More details on the 3DS wererevealed at E3 in 2010, with graphics reminiscent of aNintendo GameCube game being shown. The 3DS is fully compatible with Nintendo DS games, as well as its own games, while the 3D depth-sensing features are able to be adjusted at-will using a slider on the right side of the top screen. The top screen is slightly wider than the bottom, with a 5:3 aspect ratio, while the system itself features a control stick dubbed the "Circle Pad", in addition to the normal D-pad featured on all prior handhelds. The 3DS is also fully compatible with DSi-only features, such as those fromPokémon Black and White. While capable of playing Nintendo DS games from any region, 3DS titles and DSi exclusive titles are region-locked. Its home console counterpart is theWii U.

A larger version, known as theNintendo 3DS XL, was released in Japan, North America, Europe, and Australia in 2012. A stripped-down cheaper model (lacking stereoscopic 3D and the clamshell design), known as theNintendo 2DS, was released in North America, Europe, and Australia in 2013; it was released in Japan in 2016. A pair of powerful models, theNew Nintendo 3DS andNew Nintendo 3DS XL, were released in Japan and Australia in 2014 and in North America and Europe in 2015. A cheaper version of the more powerful model, known as theNew Nintendo 2DS XL, was released in Australia, Japan, North America, and Europe in 2017.

Technical specifications

  • Size: 5.3 inches wide, 2.9 inches long, 0.8 inches tall.
  • Weight: 8 ounces
  • Top screen: 3.53-inch widescreen LCD, autostereoscopic 3D capability, 800×240 pixel resolution (400 pixels are allocated for each eye to enable 3D viewing)
  • Bottom screen: 3.02-inch LCD, touch screen, 320×240 pixel resolution
  • Cameras: One inner camera, two outer cameras, both at 640×480 pixel resolution (0.3 MP)
  • Nintendo 3DS game card: 2GB max at launch.
  • Wireless communication: Can communicate in the 2.4 GHz band. Multiple Nintendo 3DS systems can connect via a local wireless connection to let users communicate or enjoy competitive game play. Systems also can connect to LAN access points to access the internet and allow people to enjoy games with others. Supports IEEE 802.11 with enhanced security (WPA/WPA2). Nintendo 3DS hardware is designed so that even when not in use, it can automatically exchange data with other Nintendo 3DS systems or receive data via the internet while in sleep mode. Additionally has an infrared port, utilized by games for line-of-sight matchmaking and by official peripherals.
  • Game controls: Touch screen, embedded microphone, A/B/X/Y face buttons, +Control Pad, L/R buttons, Start and Select buttons, "Circle Pad" that allows 360-degree analog input, one inner camera, two outer cameras, motion sensor and a gyro sensor.
  • Other input controls: 3D Depth Slider to adjust level of 3D effect (can be scaled back or turned off completely depending on the preference of the user), Home button to call system function, Wireless switch to turn off wireless communications (even during game play), Power button. The telescoping stylus is approximately 4 inches when fully extended.
  • Input/Output: A port that accepts Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DSi, and Nintendo DS game cards, an SD memory card slot, an AC adapter connector, a charging cradle terminal, and a stereo headphone output jack.
  • Sound: Stereo speakers positioned to the left and right of the top screen
  • Battery: Lithium ion battery
  • Parental controls: Included
  • Later firmware updates allow for the purchase and download of custommenu themes featuring various game franchises and characters.

Pokémon games

All releases listed are the year in which the Japanese version was released.

Retail releases

All retail releases were also released on Nintendo eShop.

TitleGenreRelease
Pokémon Rumble BlastAction RPG2011
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to InfinityDungeon crawler2012
Pokémon X and YCore series RPG2013
Pokémon Art AcademyArt training2014
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DSVersus Fighting2014
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha SapphireCore series RPG2014
Pokémon Super Mystery DungeonDungeon crawler2015
Pokémon Sun and MoonCore series RPG2016
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra MoonCore series RPG2017
Detective PikachuCinematic adventure2018


Nintendo eShop

TheNintendo eShop used the internet to purchase for download select full 3DS titles, 3DS-exclusive downloadable games (including3D Classics),downloadable content for 3DS titles,DSiWare, andVirtual Console games with money uploaded onto the player's account. Some such products were available for download for free, such asPokédex 3D, and some were free to download but contain in-game purchases, such asPokémon Picross.

From March 27, 2023 onwards, it is no longer possible to make purchases of 3DS content, as the 3DS and Wii U eShop clients, listings of digital 3DS content on Nintendo's website, and the transaction applet used by 3DS software ceased to accept sales.Pokémon Bank became free for usage as a result. It is similarly no longer possible to download 3DS content made available for free if the eShop account did not previously download it before cessation of purchases. Content previously purchased or downloaded on an eShop account can still be redownloaded, excluding a handful of titles that are fully delisted like the now non-functionalYouTube app.

Nintendo eShop titles

TitleGenreRelease
Pokédex 3DUtility2011
Pokémon Dream RadarFirst-person shooter2012
Pokédex 3D ProUtility2012
Pokémon Tretta LabUtility2013
Pokémon BankUtility2013
Poké TransporterUtility2013
Pokémon Battle TrozeiPuzzle2014
The Thieves and the 1000 PokémonAction2014
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Special Demo VersionCore series RPG (demo)2014
Pokémon ShufflePuzzle2015
Pokémon Rumble WorldAction RPG2015
Pokémon PicrossPuzzle2015
Detective PikachuCinematic adventure2016
Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Special Demo VersionCore series RPG (demo)2016


Virtual Console

Virtual Console games are old games that were originally released on past consoles and had been re-released on the Nintendo eShop. They could be downloaded after being bought.

TitleGenreOriginal systemOriginal releaseVC release
Pokémon Trading Card GameCard gameGame Boy Color19982014
Pokémon Puzzle ChallengePuzzleGame Boy Color20002014
Pokémon Red and GreenCore series RPGGame Boy19962016
Pokémon BlueCore series RPGGame Boy19962016
Pokémon Red and BlueCore series RPGGame Boy19982016
Pokémon YellowCore series RPGGame Boy*
Game Boy Color*
19982016
Pokémon Gold and SilverCore series RPGGame Boy Color19992017
Pokémon CrystalCore series RPGGame Boy Color20002018


Patches

Patches for various Pokémon games have been released on the Nintendo eShop. Additionally, Pokémon Shuffle could perform minor updates when performing the daily check-in; such updates could not be downloaded through the Nintendo eShop and can no longer be downloaded because checking in is no longer available. If an update is available on Nintendo eShop for a game the player has, the update has not been downloaded yet and there is an attempt to launch that game while connected to the internet, the system will inform the player of the update and offer to download it immediately, view its details on the eShop, or temporarily ignore it.

TitleGenreRelease
Pokémon X and Y patchesUpdate2013 - 2015
Pokémon Bank patchesUpdate2013 - 2014, 2020
Poké Transporter patchesUpdate2013 - 2014, 2020
Pokémon Art Academy patchUpdate2014
Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS patchesUpdate2014 - 2016
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire patchesUpdate2014 - 2015
Pokémon Sun and Moon patchesUpdate2017
Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon patchUpdate2017
Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon patchesUpdate2017 - 2018


Backwards compatibility with Nintendo DS

The 3DS can be used to play games playable in theNintendo DS series of systems, excludingGame Boy Advance games.

TitleGenreRelease
Pokémon DashRacing game2004
Pokémon Trozei!Puzzle game2005
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue TeamDungeon crawler2005
Pokémon RangerAction RPG2006
Pokémon Diamond and PearlCore series RPG2006
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of DarknessDungeon crawler2007
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of AlmiaAction RPG2008
Pokémon PlatinumCore series RPG2008
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of SkyDungeon crawler2009
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilverCore series RPG2009
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian SignsAction RPG2010
Pokémon Black and WhiteCore series RPG2010
Learn with Pokémon: Typing AdventureTyping2011
Pokémon Card Game: How to Play DSCard game2011
Pokémon ConquestTurn-based strategy2012
Pokémon Black 2 and White 2Core series RPG2012


Gallery

  • A Flame Red Nintendo 3DS
    A Flame Red Nintendo 3DS
  • A Pearl Pink Nintendo 3DS
    A Pearl Pink Nintendo 3DS
  • A Cosmo Black Nintendo 3DS
    A Cosmo Black Nintendo 3DS
  • An Ice White Nintendo 3DS
    An Ice White Nintendo 3DS
  • A Metallic Red Nintendo 3DS
    A Metallic Red Nintendo 3DS
  • A Midnight Purple Nintendo 3DS
    A Midnight Purple Nintendo 3DS
  • An Aqua Blue Nintendo 3DS Open, Closed and front view
    An Aqua Blue Nintendo 3DS Open, Closed and front view
  • A Red Nintendo 3DS Open, Closed and front view
    A Red Nintendo 3DS Open, Closed and front view
  • The fore edge of an Aqua Blue Nintendo 3DS
    The fore edge of an Aqua Blue Nintendo 3DS
  • The fore edge of a Red Nintendo 3DS
    The fore edge of a Red Nintendo 3DS
  • A Faded Orange Nintendo 3DS (never released)
    A Faded Orange Nintendo 3DS (never released)

Cameos

Sophocles's Nintendo 3DS

Trivia

  • The Nintendo 3DS family of systems:
    • Can play Pokémon games from the most generations, being able to play games from the first seven generations (all core series and one spin-off from Generation I, all core series and one spin-off from Generation II, a few Generation III handheld spin-off games, and all handheld games from Generations IV, V, VI, and VII).
    • Can play core series Pokémon games based in every core series region prior toGeneration VIII.
      • Despite this, the Nintendo 3DS does not include the Kanto region in any new games released for the 3DS, as the only way to explore Kanto is to play games released on prior systems. It is currently the only console with core series releases to have this distinction.
    • Are the only Nintendo systems with core series games to not have any solitary core series releases.
  • The Nintendo 3DS's word filter (swear filter) has a different list for each region and language combination (for example, Canadian French and European French have different word filters). However, the US English word list also applies for all U region languages, and the UK English word list also applies for all E region languages (no additional lists apply in the J, K, and T regions). Unlike the Generation V filters, spaces are removed from names before checking them against the filter(s). The region- and language-exclusive lists apply when entering something like the 3DS's username. However, when entering something like Pokémonnicknames, all of the lists apply at once (including those that do not match the 3DS's locked region, and even including internal lists for region and language combinations that are not selectable on any system in the Nintendo 3DS family).
  • The Nintendo 3DS is tied with the Nintendo DS and Nintendo Switch for having games from the most number of generations released for it, being three: in this case, theGeneration VI andGeneration VII games, as well as two spin-off games fromGeneration V.
  • The Nintendo 3DS is the only Nintendo system in which none of the core series games released for it feature an appearance byProfessor Oak.
  • The original model of the Nintendo 3DS is the only member of the Nintendo 3DS family of systems to not have any special editions or bundles themed around Pokémon.
  • Including downloadable-only titles and excludingDLC, patches, demos,Virtual Console andNintendo Classics, the Nintendo 3DS family of systems have the most Pokémon games released for it, with 25.

References

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