Nintendo 3DS
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| Manufacturer | Nintendo | ||||||||||||||||
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| Type | Handheld | ||||||||||||||||
| Release date(s) |  February 26, 2011[1] March 25, 2011[2] March 27, 2011[2] March 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
| Discontinued |  September 17, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Media | Nintendo 3DS Game Card, Nintendo DS Game Card, SD Card | ||||||||||||||||
| Input | Nintendo 3DS Stylus | ||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Nintendo DS | ||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Nintendo Switch | ||||||||||||||||
TheNintendo 3DS is a handheld video game console made byNintendo and released in 2011. It is a successor to theNintendo DS and can play games in glasses-freestereoscopic 3D.Animal Crossing games released on the Nintendo 3DS includeAnimal Crossing: New Leaf,Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, and thePhotos with Animal Crossing application. Additionally,Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, which features content from theAnimal Crossing series, was released for the 3DS.
The 3DS sold a total of 75.94 million units worldwide.[3] It was succeeded by theNintendo Switch in 2017 and was discontinued worldwide on September 17, 2020.[4]
Features and built-in software[edit]
Friend List[edit]
Friend List is a built-in application where the player could add others asfriends via a Friend Code. Having two players registered in each other's Friend List was required to visit other towns online inAnimal Crossing: New Leaf.
Nintendo eShop[edit]
The Nintendo eShop is a digital store where games and software could be purchased and downloaded. AllAnimal Crossing games released on the 3DS could be purchased from the eShop, andPhotos with Animal Crossing was released exclusively from the eShop. Update data forAnimal Crossing: New Leaf andAnimal Crossing: Happy Home Designer could also be downloaded from the eShop. Additionally, games and software released for the DSi Shop, includingAnimal Crossing Calculator andAnimal Crossing Clock, could be purchased and downloaded from the eShop.
The eShop is also available on theWii U andNintendo Switch. The ability to purchase and download new software was discontinued worldwide on the 3DS and Wii U on March 27, 2023, 12 years since the 3DS's North American release. Software updates and previously-purchased software can still be downloaded on 3DS and Wii U.
Nintendo Zone[edit]
Nintendo Zone was a discontinued service for the Nintendo 3DS that allowed players to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot in a collaborating public location, typically a retail store, to receive unique content.Animal Crossing: New Leaf utilized Nintendo Zones to receiveDLC items.
Play Coins[edit]
Play Coins are a system-wide currency that can be used in various games and software, includingAnimal Crossing: New Leaf andAnimal Crossing: Happy Home Designer. The 3DS has a built-in pedometer that tracks the player's steps; for every 100 steps taken, the player earns 1 Play Coin, up to a maximum of 10 per day and 300 total. InNew Leaf,fortune cookies can be purchased fromTimmy and Tommy's store for 2 Play Coins. InHappy Home Designer, Play Coins can be used to unlock lessons in theHappy Home Handbook.
SpotPass[edit]
SpotPass is an online feature that allows the console to send and receive information to and from Nintendo.Animal Crossing: New Leaf features SpotPass connectivity, and it can be enabled or disabled from the title screen. The player could connect to the internet via SpotPass during distribution periods to receive DLC items and Nintendo staff homes in theHH Showcase.
SpotPass is also available on the Wii U.
StreetPass[edit]
StreetPass is a feature that uses local wireless communication to send and receive information from and to other nearby 3DS systems. It is used inAnimal Crossing: New Leaf in theHH Showcase, where connecting with other players via StreetPass causes their house and player character to appear there. Somehandheld items andbadges require the use of StreetPass to obtain.
StreetPass Mii Plaza[edit]
StreetPass Mii Plaza is a built-in application on the Nintendo 3DS. TheMiis of players who have been met via StreetPass appear here, and there are various minigames that can be played. The player can dress their Mii with various unlockable outfits, including four based on theAnimal Crossing series: the Isabelle Hat, Tom Nook Hat, K.K. Slider Hat, and Mr. Resetti Hat.
One of the minigames, Puzzle Swap, featuresAnimal Crossing content. The objective of Puzzle Swap is to meet other players through StreetPass to obtain pieces of a puzzle that, when completed, displays an image from a 3DS game. Two of the puzzles feature an image fromAnimal Crossing: New Leaf andAnimal Crossing: Happy Home Designer.
Themes[edit]
An update in 2014 introduced themes, which alter the background, app icons, and music of the HOME Menu. Themes can be purchased from the Theme Shop,My Nintendo, or the downloadable gameNintendo Badge Arcade. 26 themes based on theAnimal Crossing series were released:
| Name | Image | Music | Released via | Theme Shop description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival: Plaza |  | "Plaza" | Theme Shop | A crowd's gathered for the amiibo Festival! Scroll the Touch Screen to see who's here as you enjoy the festival's plaza tune. |
 Animal Crossing: Falling Leaves |  | "12 PM" | Theme Shop | This fall-inspired theme features Isabelle and friends raking up fallen leaves. Keep an eye out for Mr. Resetti and Don Resetti! |
 Animal Crossing: Gardening Weather |  | "Bunny Day" | Theme Shop | This Spring theme shows Leif, Isabelle, and others. Scroll the screen to see them tend the garden, but look out for Mr. Resetti! |
 Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer: My Town |  | "Title-Screen Tune" | Theme Shop | This theme features watercolor-style art by the game's Lead Illustrator. Scroll the Touch Screen to see lots of cute characters! |
 Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer: Your Office |  | "???" | Theme Shop | ??? |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf Swimming in the Sea |  | "Island (Day)" | Theme Shop | This summertime theme features Isabelle and friends enjoying a relaxing swim. Scroll the Touch Screen to see them in action! |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Bulletin Board |  | "1 p.m." | Theme Shop | The folders and icons look like they are made of wood. Scroll the Touch Screen to see cheerful flowers sway in the wind. |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Bunny Day |  | "Bunny Day" | Theme Shop | Eggzactly what you need to get ready for Bunny Day! Scroll the Touch Screen to see O'Hare, Chrissy, Francine, and Zipper move. |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Colorful Pattern |  | "Title-Screen Tune" | Theme Shop | This theme's relaxing music and colorfully patterned background, folders, and icons will make you feel right at home. |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Isabelle at Town Hall |  | "Town Hall (Isabelle's Theme)" | Theme Shop | The folders and icons look like letters and stamps. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Isabelle daydream while she works. |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Jack, the Czar of Halloween |  | "Halloween Hijinks" | Theme Shop | This theme features festive folders and icons, spooky music, and jack-o'-lanterns. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Jack move. |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Jingle's Toy Day |  | "Toy Day" | Theme Shop | Scroll the Touch Screen to animate this festive theme's lower background. Exit Sleep Mode to hear a present open. |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: K.K. Slider at Club LOL |  | "K.K. Song" | Theme Shop | The folders and icons feature an acoustic-guitar pattern. Scroll the Touch Screen to see K.K. Slider play his guitar and sing. |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Mabel Able |  | "Able Sisters" | Theme Shop | The folders and icons look like they're sewn from blue cloth. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Mabel hard at work. |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Sable Able |  | "Able Sisters" | Theme Shop | The folders and icons look like they're sewn from pink cloth. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Sable hard at work. |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Timmy & Tommy Nook |  | "The Nooklings' Store" | Theme Shop | The folders and icons look like they're cardboard boxes. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Timmy's and Tommy's eyes blink. |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Welcome to 2015 |  | "Happy New Year" | Theme Shop | Isabelle and Pietro ring in 2015 in this festive NYE theme. Scroll the Touch Screen to see fireworks and party poppers explode. |
 Animal Crossing: Winter Frolics |  | "Main Street 1 (daytime snow)" | Theme Shop | A theme featuring the snowpeople, who only appear in winter. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Isabelle and pals rolling snowballs. |
 Cinnamoroll × Totakeke |  | "???" | Theme Shop (Japan only) | ??? |
 Hello Kitty × Shizue |  | "???" | Theme Shop (Japan only) | ??? |
 My Nintendo: Isabelle |  | "???" | My Nintendo | This original My Nintendo theme features Isabelle on the Top Screen and Animal Crossing-themed folders. |
 Animal Crossing: Stylish Sweets |  | - | Nintendo Badge Arcade | ??? |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Festive Fun |  | - | Nintendo Badge Arcade | ??? |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Island Getaway |  | - | Nintendo Badge Arcade | ??? |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Paw-Print Room |  | - | Nintendo Badge Arcade | ??? |
 Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Plaza |  | - | Nintendo Badge Arcade | ??? |
Animal Crossing-related games[edit]
Retail[edit]
| Game | Image | Release dates |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Crossing: New Leaf |  | November 8, 2012 February 8, 2013 June 9, 2013 June 14, 2013 June 15, 2013 |
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS |  | September 13, 2014 October 3, 2014 October 3, 2014 October 4, 2014 September 10, 2015 |
| Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer |  | July 30, 2015 September 25, 2015 October 2, 2015 October 3, 2015 |
| Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Welcome amiibo |  | November 23, 2016 November 24, 2016 November 25, 2016 December 1, 2016 December 8, 2016 |
Backward compatibility[edit]
The Nintendo 3DS is backward-compatible withNintendo DS games, except for games that require the use of theGame Boy Advance slot of the original DS and DS Lite for Option Paks.
| Game | Image | Release dates |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Crossing: Wild World |  | November 23, 2005 December 5, 2005 December 8, 2005 March 31, 2006 December 6, 2007 |
Download[edit]
In addition to the downloadable versions of the retail Nintendo 3DS titles mentioned above, the following download-only software are also playable on the Nintendo 3DS.
Nintendo eShop native apps[edit]
| Game | Release dates |
|---|---|
 Club Nintendo Picross | September 13, 2012 December 12, 2012 |
 Club Nintendo Picross+ | October 9, 2014 |
 Photos with Animal Crossing | November 21, 2013 2015 |
DSiWare legacy apps[edit]
| App | Release dates (3DS eShop) |
|---|---|
 Animal Crossing Calculator | June 6, 2011 June 6, 2011 July 7, 2011 June 6, 2011 |
 Animal Crossing Clock | June 6, 2011 June 6, 2011 July 7, 2011 June 6, 2011 |
Models[edit]
| Name | Image | Release dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo 3DS |  | February 26, 2011 March 27, 2011 March 25, 2011 March 31, 2011 | - |
| Nintendo 3DS XL |  | July 28, 2012 August 19, 2012 July 28, 2012 August 23, 2012 | The Nintendo 3DS XL features 90% larger screens compared to the original 3DS. |
| Nintendo 2DS |  | February 27, 2016 October 12, 2013 October 12, 2013 October 12, 2013 | The Nintendo 2DS lacks 3D and has a different form-factor, lacking the clamshell design of all other DS and 3DS models. |
| New Nintendo 3DS |  | October 11, 2014 September 25, 2015 February 13, 2015 November 21, 2014 | The New Nintendo 3DS features an upgraded processor, increased RAM, a C-Stick, ZL and ZR buttons, face tracking for more stable 3D, and NFC support for scanningamiibo. This model also has swappable cover plates on the back of the top and bottom sections. |
| New Nintendo 3DS XL |  | October 11, 2014 February 13, 2015 February 13, 2015 November 21, 2014 | The New Nintendo 3DS XL is a larger version of the New Nintendo 3DS. It does not have swappable cover plates. |
| New Nintendo 2DS XL |  | July 13, 2017 July 28, 2017 July 28, 2017 June 15, 2017 | The New Nintendo 2DS has all of the hardware improvements from the New Nintendo 3DS but lacks 3D. |
Animal Crossing models and bundles[edit]
MultipleAnimal Crossing-themed models of the 3DS or bundles including anAnimal Crossing game were released:
| Model | Release date(s) | Bundle | Design |
|---|---|---|---|
 Nintendo 3DS XL | ??? ??? | Animal Crossing: New Leaf | Top and bottom are white with icons ofapples,furniture leaves, and houses, along with multi-colored dots. |
 Nintendo 2DS | ??? | Animal Crossing: New Leaf | Standard red-and-white console. |
 Nintendo 2DS | ??? | Animal Crossing: New Leaf | Standard pink-and-white console. |
New Nintendo 3DS | ??? | None | Standard white console; contains a set of cover plates featuring a collage ofAnimal Crossing characters. |
.jpg) New Nintendo 3DS | ??? September 25, 2015[5] ??? ??? | Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer | Standard white console; contains two sets of cover plates: one based on the key art forHappy Home Designer, and one withIsabelle's face on the top and the pattern of her clothing on the bottom. The European and Australian releases only contained the former set of cover plates. |
New Nintendo 3DS XL | ??? October 2, 2015[6] | Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer | Top is white and features various objects and building fromHappy Home Designer; bottom features a house and a silhouette ofLottie. |
 New Nintendo 2DS XL | ??? July 20, 2018[7] June 20, 2018[7] | Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Welcome amiibo | Features a cream design with a green top and buttons. The top has "Animal Crossing" and various designs engraved in the center. |
New Nintendo 3DS cover plates[edit]
VariousAnimal Crossing-themed cover plates were released for the New Nintendo 3DS, which were either available individually or as part of certain console bundles.
| # | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 13 |  | The top plate features artwork ofIsabelle, and the bottom features the pattern of her summer outfit. |
| 14 |  | The top plate features artwork ofTimmy and Tommy, and the bottom features their logo. |
| 15 |  | The top plate features artwork ofMabel, and the bottom features the pattern of her apron. |
| 16 |  | The top plate features artwork ofSable, and the bottom features the pattern of her apron. |
| 41 |  | The top plate features artwork ofK.K. Slider, and the bottom features a silhouette of his guitar. |
| 62 |  | Both plates feature thekey art forAnimal Crossing: Happy Home Designer. |
| 67 |  | Both plates feature a collage of 8-bit sprites ofamiibocostumes fromSuper Mario Maker, including severalAnimal Crossing characters:Blathers,Cyrus,Digby,Kapp'n, K.K. Slider,Lottie, Mabel,Mr. Resetti,Reese, Timmy and Tommy, Tom Nook, andVillager. |
| 68 |  | Both plates feature a collage of character artwork. From left to right, top to bottom:Label,Pascal,Tom Nook, Isabelle, Kapp'n, Mabel,Pelly,Dr. Shrunk,Rosie,Digby, Lottie, K.K. Slider,Phyllis,Bunnie,Tortimer, Timmy and Tommy,Pete,Hamlet,Lyle, Sable,Butch,Porter,Rod,Leif,Celeste,Wendell,Nat,Harriet,DJ KK,Kicks,Katie, Cyrus, Reese, Blathers,Bob, Mr. Resetti,Gracie,Cheri,Rover,Bill,Brewster, andRedd. |
Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer[edit]
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| Manufacturer | Nintendo | |||||
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| Release date(s) | July 30, 2015[8] September 25, 2015 October 2, 2015[9] | |||||
| Media | NFC-enabled card | |||||
TheNintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer is a gaming peripheral for the original Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL released in 2015. It is used to scanamiibo cards and figures in compatible games on these systems, allowing data to be exchanged, and unique content to be unlocked. The device requires 2 AA batteries for power, and interfaces with the 3DS system via infrared. The IR sensor on the device must be positioned to be in line with the IR sensor on the 3DS system in order to establish a connection.
The peripheral is not needed for the New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, and New Nintendo 2DS, as these systems feature a built in NFC reader/writer underneath the bottom screen.
Appearances in theAnimal Crossing series[edit]
InHappy Home Designer[edit]
Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer features two furniture items based on models of the Nintendo 3DS: the New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL. It also features the Nintendo 3DS shelf, which contains various 3DS games, and the Nintendo 3DS station, which is based on a retail store kiosk.
New Nintendo 3DS
New Nintendo 3DS XL
Nintendo 3DS shelf
Nintendo 3DS station
InWelcome amiibo[edit]
TheWelcome amiibo update toAnimal Crossing: New Leaf features all the 3DS-related items introduced inHappy Home Designer, as well as six new items: theNew 3DS XL - HHD, which is based on a realHappy Home Designer-themed New Nintendo 3DS XL model, and theNew 3DS - Isabelle,New 3DS - K.K.,New 3DS - Mabel,New 3DS - Sable,New 3DS - T&T, which feature faceplates of their respective characters. Interacting with any 3DS console item allows the player to playAnimal Crossing Puzzle League.
New Nintendo 3DS (White - White)
New Nintendo 3DS (White - Black)
New Nintendo 3DS (White - Polka dot)
New Nintendo 3DS (Black - White)
New Nintendo 3DS (Black - Black)
New Nintendo 3DS (Black - Polka dot)
New Nintendo 3DS XL (Metallic blue)
New Nintendo 3DS XL (Metallic black)
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InPocket Camp[edit]
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp features a New Nintendo 3DS XL furniture item.
New Nintendo 3DS XL
References[edit]
- ↑Craig Harris (September 28, 2010)."Nintendo Conference 2010 Details".IGN.
- ↑2.02.1Jim Reilly (January 19, 2011)."3DS Price, Release Date Announced".IGN.
- ↑Nintendo."IR Information : Sales Data - Dedicated Video Game Sales Units".nintendo.co.jp.
- ↑Sam Byford (September 17, 2020)."Nintendo has discontinued the 3DS".The Verge. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
- ↑Sodapone."New Nintendo 3DS Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer Console [NA]".Consolevariations.com. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ↑Neverbirth."New Nintendo 3DS XL Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer Console [EU]".Consolevariations.com. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ↑7.07.1taco85."New Nintendo 2DS XL Animal Crossing New Leaf Console".Consolevariations.com. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ↑"Nintendo 3DS NFC reader / writer (You can play in amiibo!)".amazon.co.jp. (Japanese)
- ↑@NintendoUK on X (formerly Twitter) (July 28, 2015).Archived from the original on September 14, 2020.
External links[edit]
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