2011
NINTENDO

NINTENDO 3DS

PORTABLE
NINTENDO 3DS

📜 History & Legacy

The Nintendo 3DS, released in 2011, was Nintendo's successor to the Nintendo DS line, bringing glasses-free stereoscopic 3D gaming to the masses. It represented a significant leap in handheld gaming technology, offering improved graphics, enhanced processing power, and innovative features like augmented reality (AR) and motion sensors. The console aimed to revitalize the handheld market, which was facing increasing competition from smartphones and tablets. Its initial reception was mixed, partly due to a higher price point and a relatively weak launch lineup. However, Nintendo responded quickly by reducing the price and releasing a string of high-quality games.

The 3DS family includes several iterations, such as the 3DS XL, 2DS, New 3DS, and New 2DS XL, each offering different form factors and features to cater to a wider audience. The New 3DS models, in particular, introduced improved processing power, a second analog stick (the C-Stick), and enhanced 3D capabilities. The Nintendo 3DS boasts a vast library of games, including both original titles and remakes of classic games. Its online services, such as the eShop, allowed for digital game purchases and multiplayer functionality. The console's legacy lies in its ability to provide a unique and immersive handheld gaming experience, as well as its contribution to popularizing 3D gaming technology. Despite the advent of the Nintendo Switch, the 3DS remains a fondly remembered and influential handheld console.

⚙️ Specifications

  • ❖ CPU: Dual-Core ARM11 MPCore
  • ❖ GPU: DMP PICA200 GPU
  • ❖ RAM: 128MB FCRAM
  • ❖ Storage: Internal Flash Memory (2GB on some models), SD Card Slot
  • ❖ Media: Game Cards, Downloadable Software

🎮 Top 10 Games

  • ★ The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
  • ★ Super Mario 3D Land
  • ★ Mario Kart 7
  • ★ Animal Crossing: New Leaf
  • ★ Pokémon X and Y
  • ★ Pokémon Sun and Moon
  • ★ The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
  • ★ Fire Emblem: Awakening
  • ★ Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
  • ★ Kid Icarus: Uprising

💡 Curiosities

  • ? The 3DS was originally going to be named the 'Nintendo Feel'.
  • ? The 3DS's augmented reality (AR) games were pre-installed and utilized cards that came with the system.
  • ? The 3DS had a built-in pedometer, encouraging users to carry the console with them to earn Play Coins, which could be used to purchase in-game items.
  • ? The 3DS used SpotPass and StreetPass features to connect with other 3DS systems and download content or exchange data.
  • ? The 3DS's top screen could display 3D images without the need for special glasses.
  • ? The 3DS was released during the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda franchise, hence the release of Ocarina of Time 3D.
  • ? The design of the 3DS was inspired by the Nintendo DS, but with a more rounded and ergonomic shape.
  • ? The 3DS eShop offered a wide variety of downloadable games, including Virtual Console titles from previous Nintendo consoles.
  • ? The 3DS has a parental control system that allows parents to restrict access to certain games and features.
  • ? The **Nintendo 2DS** model was released as a more affordable entry point into the 3DS family, foregoing the 3D display and clamshell design.