Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS (ニンテン

ドー 3DS Nintendō Surī Dī
Esu?, abbreviated to 3DS) is a
portable game console produced
by Nintendo. A distinguishing Developer Nintendo
feature of the system is its Manufacturer Foxconn
ability to produce "3D effects Type Handheld game console
without the need for any special JP
February 26, 2011[1]
glasses" via a process called EU
March 25, 2011[2]
autostereoscopy.[11] The device Release date NA
March 27, 2011[3]
was released in Japan on AU
March 31, 2011[4]
February 26, 2011, Europe on Retail
March 25, 2011, North America February 26, 2011
availability
on March 27, 2011[12][13] and Units sold Japan: 374,764 (as of February 27, 2011)[5]
Australia on March 31, 2011.
The 3DS succeeds the Nintendo Units shipped Japan: 400,000 (as of February 27, 2011)[6]
DS series of handheld systems, Media Nintendo 3DS, DS and DSi Game Cards
[11]
which primarily shares the 2 GB NAND flash memory
handheld console market with Storage capacity SD card, SDHC card
Sony's PlayStation Portable.[14] Cartridge save
The Nintendo 3DS features Graphics Digital Media Professionals PICA200 GPU[7][8]
backward compatibility with 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
Nintendo DS series software, Connectivity
IR[9]
including Nintendo DSi Online services Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo eShop
software.[11]
Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle,
Best-selling game
119,591 (as of March 4, 2011)[10]
Announcing the device in
March 2010, Nintendo officially Backward Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
unveiled it at the Electronic compatibility
Entertainment Expo 2010 (E3 Nintendo DS series (DS, DS Lite, DSi, and DSi
Predecessor
2010),[11][15] with the company XL)
inviting attendees to play with
the console.[16]
History
Nintendo had been experimenting with 3D technology since the late 1980s. Famicom
Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally was the first game developed by Nintendo to take advantage
of the technology, and utilized special goggles with a liquid crystal shutter in order to
make images appear to pop out of the screen, giving them a 3D effect.[17] In 1995, Gunpei
Yokoi, the creator of the Game Boy, began developing the Virtual Boy. This console is
the first that was capable of displaying stereoscopic 3D graphics, using parallax. The
system was released much earlier than intended, so that Nintendo could allocate more
resources to the then-Ultra 64, and the Virtual Boy went on to become a commercial
failure for Nintendo.[18][19][20] Shigeru Miyamoto was dissatisfied with the wire-frame
models the console displayed and practicality of the system, feeling that the concept was
ahead of its time.[21]

The failure of the Virtual Boy left many at Nintendo doubting the viability of 3D gaming.
[22]
Despite this, Nintendo continued to investigate incorporating 3D technology into other
products. The Nintendo GameCube, released in 2001, is Nintendo's second 3D capable
system.[23] Every GameCube system produced features the capability to display true
stereoscopic 3D, but only the launch title Luigi's Mansion was designed to utilise the
technology. As 3D displays were not widespread at the time and producing a compatible
display was deemed prohibitively expensive to consumers, this functionality was never
enabled.[24]

Nintendo next attempted putting a display later used for the Nintendo 3DS into a Game
Boy Advance SP.[25] However, the resolution for such a display was not sharp and precise
enough at the time, and Nintendo was not satisfied with the experiment.[26] With the
development of the Nintendo DS and at the insistence of Hiroshi Yamauchi, the company
investigated achieving 3D visuals at an exhibition at Shigureden, a theme park.[27]
Visitors navigate around the park with the aid of guide software on a Nintendo DS
system. Although nothing was produced, Nintendo was able to conduct extensive
research and develop the methodology that was later used to develop the Nintendo 3DS.
[28]

Background

Although it had been discussed before then, speculation about a true successor to the
Nintendo DS series began to ramp up in late 2009. In mid-October, tech tabloid Bright
Side of News reported that graphics processing unit (GPU) developer Nvidia had won the
microprocessor contract for the device with its Nvidia Tegra system-on-a-chip series.[29]
Later that month, speaking about the future for Nintendo's portable consoles, company
president Satoru Iwata mentioned that while mobile connectivity via subscription mobile
broadband "doesn't fit Nintendo customers," he was interested in exploring an option
similar to the Whispernet service for the Amazon Kindle, in which users are not charged
for the mobile connectivity, and the costs are cross-subsidized.[30]
Though Nintendo has expressed interest in including motion-sensing capabilities in its
handhelds since before the release of the original Nintendo DS,[31] in January 2010 an
alleged comment by Satoru Iwata from an interview with Asahi Shimbun led to a minor
dispute between the publication and Nintendo over whether Iwata confirmed that the
successor to the Nintendo DS would incorporate a motion sensor.[32] In February 2010,
video gaming website Computer and Video Games reported that a select "handful" of
Japanese developers were in possession of software development kits for the Nintendo
DS successor, with The Pokémon Company given special priority. According to their
insider at an unspecified third-party development studio, the hardware features a "tilt"
function that is similar to that of the iPhone, "but does a lot more."[33]

On March 23, 2010, Nintendo officially announced the Nintendo 3DS.[11] According to
industry analysts, the timing of Nintendo's original announcement, which had drawn
attention away from the launch of the company's still-new Nintendo DSi XL handheld,
was likely intended to preempt impending news leaks about the product by the Japanese
press.[34] In April 2010, a picture of a possible development build of the internal
components of the 3DS was released as part of a U.S. Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) filing by Mitsumi.[35] An analysis of the image showed that it was
likely genuine as it featured components known to be used in the Nintendo DS line along
with features of the 3DS that had not been announced like a 5:3 top screen, and a control
nub similar to those used in Sony PSP systems.[36]

E3 2010 Unveiling

The E3 unveiling involved an elaborate stage with moving set pieces.

In June 2010, video gaming website IGN reported that according to "several developers
who have experienced 3DS in its current form", the system possesses processing power
that "far exceed[s] the Nintendo Wii" and with 3D shaders, they could make games that
"look close to current generation visuals on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3". They also
cited "several developer sources" as saying that the system does not use the Nvidia Tegra
mobile chipset.[37]

The system was officially revealed at Nintendo's conference at E3 2010 on June 15,
2010. The first game revealed was Kid Icarus: Uprising, with several other titles from
third parties also announced, including Square Enix with Kingdom Hearts and Final
Fantasy, Konami with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 3D, Warner Bros. Interactive
with a Batman title, Ubisoft with Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy, Capcom with Resident
Evil: Revelations and Super Street Fighter 4 3D Edition, and Activision with DJ Hero.
Other Nintendo titles were later revealed after the conference, such as Mario Kart 3DS,
Animal Crossing, and remakes of Star Fox 64[38] and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of
Time in 3D.[39] The 3DS design shown at E3 was almost final, but subject to minor
changes.[40]
Pre-launch events

On September 29, 2010, Nintendo of Japan announced the release date of the Nintendo
3DS in Japan to be February 26, 2011. Furthermore, several additional features were
announced. The inclusion of a Mii Maker (similar to the Mii Channel on Wii), Virtual
Console (including Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and "classic games" in 3D), a cradle for
recharging the system's battery, multitasking, several included augmented reality games,
an included 2 gigabyte SD card, and stored game data as well as the final name for the
3DS tag mode, now called StreetPass and SpotPass collectively. The colors available at
launch are Aqua Blue and Cosmo Black, and the launch price in Japan is 25,000 yen.[41]
The final physical design was also revealed at this event.[42]

On January 19, 2011, Nintendo held two simultaneous press conferences in Amsterdam
and New York City, where they revealed all of the features on the Nintendo 3DS.[43] In
North America, the release date was confirmed as March 27, 2011 with a retail price of
$249.99. In Europe, a release date was announced for March 25, 2011, though they said
that pricing would be up to retailers. Most retailers have priced the handheld between
£219.99 and £229.99,[44] though some retailers, such as Amazon, have lowered the price
following Sony's announcement of the PSP's successor on January 26, 2011,[45] with some
retailers pricing the handheld at around £200 as of February 2011.[46]

In February 2011, Nintendo held four hands-on events in the UK named "Believe Your
Eyes". February 5th and 6th saw simultaneous events in London and Manchester, while
the 12th and 13th saw events in Glasgow and Bristol. Invites to the events were offered
first to Club Nintendo members, then later to members of the public via an online
registration form.[47] Guests watched two brief performances and trailers, then received
time to play a selection of games on 3DS devices. Attendees were then allowed into a
second room, containing further games to play (mainly augmented reality-based), and in-
device videos.[48]

Prior to its launch, Amazon UK announced that the system was their most pre-ordered
video game system ever.[49] Nintendo of America announced that the number of Nintendo
3DS pre-orders were double the number of pre-orders for the Wii. [50]
Release

Nintendo sold its entire allotment of 400,000 Nintendo 3DS units during its February
2011 release in Japan amid reports of lines and pre-order sellouts.[51] The 3DS sold
374,764 units during the launch weekend of 26th February.[5] Professor Layton and the
Mask of Miracle was the best selling 3DS launch title, in which 119,591 of copies were
sold at launch, and it took third spot of the best selling title along with other system titles.
[5]

Nintendo announced that first day sales for the Nintendo 3DS in the US were the largest
of any Nintendo handheld device in history.[52]

In Europe, Nintendo sold 303,000 3DS units during its first two days on sale. In the UK,
113,000 3DS units were sold during its opening weekend, making it Nintendo's most
successful hardware launch in the country to date.[53]

Hardware
The Nintendo 3DS is based on a custom PICA200 graphics processor from a Japanese
start-up Digital Media Professionals (DMP).[54] It has two screens; the top screen is a
3.53 in (90 mm) 5:3 3D screen with a resolution of 800×240 pixels (400×240 pixels per
eye, WQVGA) that is able to produce an autostereoscopic three-dimensional effect (one
without 3D glasses) using a parallax barrier display, while the bottom screen is a 3.02 in
(77 mm) 4:3 non-3D resistive touch panel with a resolution of 320×240 pixels (QVGA).
[55]
The 3DS weighs approximately 230 grams (8.1 oz) and, when closed, is 134 mm
(5.3 in) wide, 74 mm (2.9 in) broad, and 21 mm (0.83 in) thick.[55]

The system features several additions to the design of the original 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 "Circle Pad", an accelerometer, and a gyroscope. 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 on the inside of the device which faces the player,
capable of taking 2D photos and capturing 2D video; all cameras have a resolution of
640×480 pixels (0.3 megapixels). The system will support a 2.4 GHz 802.11 Wi-Fi
connectivity with enhanced security WPA2.[56] An included cradle will act as a charger.[55]

At launch, the Nintendo 3DS cards hold up to 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, which prevents 3DS cards from being inserted into a Nintendo DS.[57]

On the issue of piracy, game developer THQ claims that the Nintendo 3DS features
sophisticated anti-piracy technology which Nintendo believes is able to significantly curb
video game piracy, which had increasingly depressed the handheld market with the
proliferation of cheap flash memory and the rise in file sharing.[58]
 Technical comparison

Comparison of the Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo DS game systems

Nintendo Nintendo
Nintendo 3DS Nintendo DSi Nintendo DS
DSi XL DS Lite

Model

Produc
Current Current Current Current Discontinued
tion
¥25,000
¥20,000 ¥18,900 ¥16,800 ¥15,000
US$249.99[3]
US$189.99 US$169.99 US$129.99 US$149.99
Launc £/€ - Set by
€179.99 €169.99 €149.99 €149.99
h Price individual
£159.99 £149.99 £99.99 £99.99
retailers[59]
A$299.95 A$299.95 A$199.95 A$199.95
A$349.95[4]
230 grams 314 grams 214 grams 218 grams
Weight 275 grams (9.7 oz)
(8.1 oz)[56] (11.1 oz) (7.5 oz) (7.7 oz)
161 mm 133 mm
(6.3 in) (5.2 in)
134 mm (5.3 in) wide × 91.4  137 mm (5.4 in) wide × 73.9 148.7 mm (5.85 in)
wide × 74 mm mm wide × 74.9 mm mm wide × 84.7 mm
Dimens
(2.9 in) (3.60 in) (2.95 in) (2.91 in) (3.33 in)
ions
deep × 21 mm deep × 21.2  deep × 18.9 mm deep × 21.8 deep × 28.9 mm
(0.83 in) high[56] mm (0.74 in) high 7 mm (1.14 in) high
(0.83 in) (0.861 in)
high high
Autosteroscopic
3.53 in (90 mm),
800 × 240 px
(effectively 4.2 in 3.0 in
400 × 240 (107 mm), 3.25 in (83 mm), (76 mm), 3.0 in (76 mm),
WQVGA per 256 × 192 p 256 × 192 px 256 × 192  256 × 192 px
eye)[56] x px
Display 3.02 in (77 mm),
320 × 240
QVGA
24-bit color 16-bit color
4
Backlight on/off
5 brightness levels brightness
toggle
levels
 One 2D front-
facing and two
Camer Front and rear-facing 0.3 MP
3D rear-facing None
a sensors
0.3 MP (VGA)
sensors[56]
 D-pad
 Push-
buttons
 Touchscr
een
 Circle
Pad
 3-axis
accelerom
 D-pad
Physic eter
 Push-buttons
al  3-axis
 Touchscreen
control gyroscope
[56]  Volume slider/buttons
s
 Volume
slider
 3D depth
slider
 Wireless
communi
cations
switch
  Integrat
ed
 Integrated 802.11b (only
802.11b
 Integrated 802.11b/g compatible with WEP
Connec /g
 Microphone[60] support)
tivity  Microp
 Microphone[61]
hone
 IR port

75 mm
129.3 mm
Extendable up 92 mm (3.6 in) 87.5 mm (3.44 in) (3.0 in)
(5.09 in)
Stylus to 100 mm long × 4.9 mm long × 4.9 mm long × 4 m
[56] long × 10 mm
(3.9 in) long (0.19 in) wide (0.19 in) wide m (0.16 in)
(0.39 in) wide
wide
Card 3DS/DSi/DS,
DSi/DS, SD DS, Game Boy Advance
slots SD
2 GB NAND
Internal 256 MB NAND flash
Storag flash memory Internal 256 kB NAND flash
[62]
e memory memory
Expandable via SD card slot
3-5 hours,
depending on
screen 13-17 hours
brightness, Wi- on the lowest 9-14 hours on 6 to
Fi, sound the lowest 10
brightness 15-19 hours on the lowest
volume, and 3D setting brightness hou
brightness setting
Battery effect setting rs
4-5 hours on 5-8 hours on the brightest
(1300 mAh) [56] 3-4 hours on the (85
the brightest (1000 mAh)[64]
brightest 0 m
5-8 hours for (1050 mAh) (840 mAh)[63] Ah)
[63]
DS
compatibility
mode
4 MB SRAM
Memor 128 MB
16 MB PSRAM Expandable via Game Boy
y FCRAM[65]
Advance slot
Process 133 MHz ARM9 and 33 MHz 67 MHz ARM9 and 33 MHz
ARM[66][67]
or ARM7 ARM7
PICA200 by
Graphi
Digital Media Nintendo proprietary
cs [68]
Professionals
Region Regional Regional lockout for Nintendo All Nintendo DS hardware and
Lockin lockout for DS games with exclusive DSi software is region-free
g 3DS and content and DSiWare[70]
Nintendo DSi
software with
exclusive DSi
 content
between Japan,
America and
Europe/Australi
a[69]
Preloa  DS  DS  DS  DS Download Play
ded Downlo Down Downlo  PictoChat
applica ad load ad Play
tions Play[71] Play  PictoCh
 Nintend  Picto at
o 3DS Chat  Flipnote
Camera  Flipn Studio
 Nintend ote  Nintend
o 3DS Studio o DSi
Downlo  Ninte Browser
ad Play ndo  Nintend
 Nintend DSi o DSi
o 3DS Brows Camera
Messagi er  Nintend
ng  Ninte o DSi
Service ndo Shop
 Nintend DSi  Nintend
o 3DS Camer o DSi
Sound[72 a Sound
]
 Ninte
 3D ndo
Videos DSi
 Activity Shop
Log[73]  Ninte
 AR ndo
Games DSi
 Face Sound
Raiders  Brain
 Mii Age
Maker Expre
 StreetP ss:
ass Mii Math
Plaza  Brain
Age
Expre
ss:
Arts
&
Letter
s
 Photo
Clock
Features
Activity Log

The Activity Log tracks both game play, noting which games have been played and for
how long, as well as physical activity, counting every step taken while carrying a 3DS.
The feature encourages walking more every day to earn Play Coins, which can be used
with compatible games and applications to acquire special content and a variety of other
benefits. Play Coins cannot be used in the Nintendo eShop.[73][74]

Augmented reality

"Target Shooting" augmented reality tech demo at E3 2010.

Several augmented reality games are included on the 3DS with 6 paper cards that interact
with the games.[41]

Backward compatibility

In addition to its own software, the Nintendo 3DS is backward compatible with Nintendo
DS software, including DSi software. However, like the Nintendo DSi, the Nintendo 3DS
is incompatible with DS software that requires the use of the Game Boy Advance port.
Nintendo DS and DSi software cannot be played with 3D visions on the 3DS. The
original DS resolutions are displayed in a scaled and stretched fashion due to the fact that
the resolutions of each 3DS screens are bigger than the DS screens. Unless if the user
holds down the START and SELECT buttons upon launching the DS software, the
displays will be 1:1 and the black bars will appear around the DS's native resolutions in
the 3DS screens.

3DS Messaging Service

The Nintendo 3DS also supports a new messaging system, similar to that of the Wii's
Message Board. The service allows users to send and receive messages from their friends
on their friends list via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The 3DS will alert the user when
they have received a new message via the Notification LED. This service replaces the
traditional PictoChat that was seen in previous DS models.[75]

Virtual Console service

It was announced at the Nintendo of Japan press event on September 29, 2010 that the
3DS will have a Virtual Console Service with Game Boy, Game Boy Color games, as
well as "classic" games in 3D. At the 2011 GDC Nintendo announced that TurboGrafx
16, and Game Gear games would be available for Virtual Console.[76] Purchases are made
through the "Nintendo eShop", using a cash-based system instead of a points-based
system as used for the Wii and DSi.[77]

StreetPass and SpotPass Mode

The system supports multiplayer gameplay via a local wireless connection or over the
Internet. Expanding upon the connectivity of the Nintendo DS, the Nintendo 3DS
features an "always on" background connectivity system that trademarks suggested was
named "CrossPass",[78] which can automatically seek and connect to wireless network
nodes such as Wi-Fi hotspots, sending and downloading information in the background
while in sleep mode or while playing a game. In Nintendo's September 29th conference,
the confirmed Western names of the CrossPass Tag Mode service would be StreetPass
and SpotPass, with SpotPass being the ability for the 3DS to seek Wi-Fi signals and
automatically download content while in sleep mode and StreetPass being the passive
communication between 3DS systems held by users, an example being the sharing of Mii
avatars.[79]

During the 2011 Game Developers Conference, Nintendo of America president Reggie
Fils-Aime announced that Nintendo has partnered with AT&T to provide free access to
AT&T hotspots via the Nintendo 3DS. Users will be able to connect to these hotspots in
late May.[80]

The background connectivity allows users to exchange software content regardless of

what software is currently in the console. Sharing content is stored in a "data slot" in the
console. Using this data slot, Nintendo 3DS users can readily share and exchange content
for multiple games at the same time, whenever they are connected, even when playing
unrelated games.[81] Using the console's background connectivity, a Nintendo 3DS in
StreetPass Mode can automatically discover other 3DS units within range, establish a
connection, and exchange content for mutually-played games, all transparently and
without requiring any user input, even when the console is dormant. For example, in
Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, if the user passes someone with the same software,
he has a battle to collect trophies from the other player.[82]

It can be customized to fit the user's preferences, including opting out of it altogether for
selected software.[83] One application being considered is functionality to "automatically
acquire magazine and newspaper articles", similar to networked e-book reader
applications.[84] An included cradle allows for faster downloads and uploads, and will act
as a charger.[55] Other improvements to online functionality include how Friend Codes are
implemented, with only one code necessary for each console, as opposed to the DS and
Wii where individual Friend Codes are required for each piece of software.[85]

Video content

The system also has 3D movie and video playback capability. Nintendo has made deals
with Warner Bros, Disney, and DreamWorks to deliver 3D movies.[86] Although no titles
have been announced yet, the trailers for DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon,
Warner Bros' Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, and Disney’s film
Tangled were shown on the 3DS during the E3 Expo.[87] On September 29, 2010,
Nintendo of Japan announced that it will be partnering with Fuji TV and other Japanese
broadcasters to distribute free 3D videos to Japanese Nintendo 3DS owners.[88][89] On
January 19, 2011, Nintendo of Europe announced at their press conference that they will
be partnering with EuroSport and Sky 3D to bring content to the Nintendo 3DS at a later
date in 2011. Richard Goleszowski is also locked to bring exclusive 3D episodes of
Shaun the Sheep to European Nintendo 3DS market by the end of the year. During the
2011 Game Developers Conference, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime
announced that the Nintendo 3DS will support live streaming from Netflix.[90] Also at the
same conference, Nintendo announced a short-form video service for the Nintendo 3DS.
This channel will offer a wide variety of video content, from comedy to music, all
curated by Nintendo.[91] As part of an initial firmware update for the system, Nintendo
3DS systems in North America include the 3D version of the music video for "White
Knuckles" from OK Go.[92]

Internet browser

Nintendo announced that an Internet browser will be available in a future update. The
browser can access WEP and WPA access points.[93] It has been scheduled to be released
in late May as part of a system update.

Mii

Miis are available on the system. There is a Mii Maker on the 3DS with the ability to
import from the Wii, though not vice versa due to additional character parts, and can
create a Mii from a photo taken by one of the cameras. Miis can also be loaded by
capturing special QR codes with one of the cameras. There is also a StreetPass Mii Plaza
to house all the Miis the player has gathered in StreetPass Mode.
Software library
Games
Regions
Release time [4]
Title(s) Developer Publisher released[4][8]
frame
Ace Combat 3D (working Namco
TBA TBA JP
title)[9] Bandai Games
Animal Crossing (working Nintendo JP, NA, EU,
TBA Nintendo
title) [10] EAD AUS
Marvelous
Animal Resort (working AQ Entertainment
Spring 2011[11] JP, NA
title)[11] Interactive (JP)[11]
Ubisoft (NA)
March 10, 2011
(JP) Gameloft
March 25, 2011 (NA)
Asphalt 3D[12] Gameloft NA, EU, JP
(EU) Ubisoft (EU)
March 27, 2011 Konami (JP)
(NA)
Assassin's Creed: Lost
TBA TBA Ubisoft TBA
Legacy[13]
Bakugan: Rise of the
Spring 2011 TBA Activision NA
Resistance[14]
Bikkuriman Kanjuku
Nippon Ichi
Haoh: Sanmi Douran Spring 2011 TBA JP
Software
Sensouki[15]
BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Arc System Arc System
March 31, 2011 JP
II[16] Works Works
BloodRayne: The Majesco
[17] TBA TBA TBA
Shroud Entertainment
[18]
Bomberman 3DS 2011 Hudson Soft Hudson Soft JP, NA
[19]
Bonk (working title) TBA TBA Hudson Soft JP
February 26, 2011
(JP)
March 27, 2011
Bust-a-Move Universe[20] Arika Square Enix JP, NA, EU
(NA)
April 22, 2011
(EU)
Cartoon Network: Punch Papaya Crave
May 31, 2011 NA
Time Explosion[21] Studio Entertainment
[22][23]
Cave Story 3DS TBA Nicalis Nippon Ichi NA
 Software
[24]
Chocobo Racing 3D
TBA h.a.n.d. Square Enix JP
(working title)
Class of Heroes 3Dx3D[25] TBA Acquire Acquire JP
February 26, 2011
(JP)
Combat of Giants: March 31, 2011 Ubisoft
Ubisoft NA, EU, JP
Dinosaurs 3D[4] (EU)[26] Quebec
March 27, 2011
(NA)
High
The Conduit 3DS[27] TBA Voltage Sega NA
Software
[28]
Contra (working title) TBA TBA Konami TBA
[29]
Crush 3D 2011 Zoe Mode Sega NA
AQ
AQ Interactive
Cubic Ninja[30] Spring 2011 JP, NA
Interactive (JP)
Ubisoft (NA)
de Blob: The
TBA TBA THQ TBA
Underground
May 2011 (EU)
Dead or Alive: May 31, 2011
Team Ninja Tecmo Koei JP, NA, EU
Dimensions[31] (NA)
TBA 2011 (JP)
Deca Sports Extreme[32] Spring 2011 Hudson Soft Hudson Soft JP, NA
Doctor Lautrec and the
2011 Konami Konami JP, NA, EU
Forgotten Knights[33]
Dragon Quest (working
TBA TBA Square Enix JP
title)[34]
D3
Dream Trigger 3D[35] TBA Art Co. TBA
Publisher[35]
Dragon Ball (working Namco
TBA TBA JP
title) Bandai Games
Ubisoft
Driver: Renegade[36] June 2011 Ubisoft NA, EU, JP
Reflections

Namco
Dual Pen Sports[37] 2011 indieszero JP, NA
Bandai Games
Dynasty Warriors
2011 TBA Tecmo Koei JP
(working title)
Earthpedia Summer 2011 TBA Gakken[38] JP
Eternal Eden[39] TBA Blossomsoft TBA TBA
Etrian Odyssey (working TBA TBA Atlus JP
title)[34]
FIFA Soccer (working Electronic
TBA TBA EU, TBA
title) Arts
Face Racers: Photo Renegade Majesco
TBA TBA
Finish Kid Entertainment
Level-5 /
Fantasy Life[40] 2011 Brownie Level-5 JP
Brown
Final Fantasy (working
TBA TBA Square Enix JP
title)[34]
ASCII Media
Works (JP)
Fish On Spring 2011 SIMS Majesco JP, NA
Entertainment
(NA)
Frogger (working title) TBA TBA Konami TBA
Namco
Gundam: The 3D Battle March 24, 2011[41] BEC Bandai JP
Games[42]
Hakuōki 3D (working
2011 TBA Idea Factory JP
title)
Harvest Moon 3D Marvelous
TBA TBA JP
(working title)[42] Entertainment
Kid Icarus: Uprising[43] Summer 2011 Project Sora Nintendo JP, NA, EU
Kingdom Hearts: Dream
TBA Square Enix Square Enix JP, NA, EU
Drop Distance[44]
Kororinpa (working title) 2011 TBA Hudson Soft JP, EU
Kyabajoppi for Nintendo
2011 Level-5 Level-5 JP
3DS
The Legend of Zelda: Nintendo JP, NA, EU,
June 2011 Nintendo
Ocarina of Time 3D[45] EAD AUS
 March 25, 2011
(EU)
Lego Star Wars III: March 27, 2011 NA, EU,
Traveller's Tales LucasArts
The Clone Wars[46] (NA) AUS
March 31, 2011
(AUS)
Lego Pirates of the
Disney
Caribbean: The Video May 2011 Traveller's Tales NA, EU
Interactive
Game[47]
Licca-chan TBA TBA Takara Tomy JP
[48]
Madden NFL 3DS March 27, 2011 EA Sports Electronic Arts NA
Majesco
Martha Stewart TBA TBA TBA
Entertainment
JP, NA,
Mario Kart 3DS[49] 2011 Nintendo EAD Nintendo
EU
Mega Man Legends 3 TBA Capcom Capcom JP, NA
Metal Gear Solid: Kojima JP, EU,
2011 Konami
Snake Eater 3D[50] Productions NA
Naruto Shippuden 3D
2011 TBA Takara Tomy JP
– The New Era
Ninja Gaiden (working
TBA Team Ninja Tecmo Koei JP
title)
March 25, 2011
[4] JP, NA,
Nintendogs + Cats (EU) March 27, Nintendo EAD Nintendo
EU
2011 (NA)
Omega Five (working
TBA TBA Hudson Soft JP
title)[51]
One Piece: Unlimited Namco Bandai
Spring 2011 Ganbarion JP
Cruise SP Games
Pac-Man & Galaga May 25, 2011 Namco Bandai
TBA JP,EU,US
Dimensions (EU) Games
Paper Mario (working Intelligent JP, NA,
TBA Nintendo
title)[52] Systems EU
The Penguins of
TBA TBA THQ TBA
Madagascar
March 25, 2011
[46] JP, NA,
Pilotwings Resort (EU) March 27, Monster Games Nintendo
EU
2011 (NA)
Pro Evolution Soccer
March 25, 2011
3DS Winning Eleven JP, NA,
(EU) March 27, Konami
Winning Eleven Productions EU
2011 (NA)
3DSoccer (JP)[4]
Professor Layton and JP, EU,
2011 Level-5 Level-5
the Mask of Miracle[4] NA
Professor Layton VS Level-5 /
TBA Level-5 JP
Ace Attorney[53] Capcom
Project LovePlus LovePlus
2011 Konami JP
(working title) Productions
Pro Yakyuu Famista Namco Bandai
2011 NOW Production JP
2011 Games
Rabbids: Travel in March 31, 2011 NA, EU,
Ubisoft Paris Ubisoft
Time 3D[54] (EU)[55] JP
March 22, 2011 JP, NA,
Rayman 3D[46] Ubisoft Ubisoft
(NA) EU
Resident Evil: JP, NA,
2011 Capcom Capcom
Revelations[56] EU
Resident Evil: The JP, NA,
July 2011 (NA) Capcom Capcom
Mercenaries 3D[46] EU
March 25, 2011
[4] Namco Bandai JP, NA,
Ridge Racer 3D (EU) March 30, Namco
Games EU
2011 (NA)
Rodea the Sky Kadowkawa
2011 PROPE JP
Soldier[57] Shoten
Runabout for Nintendo Climax Rocket
2011 JP
3DS (working title) Entertainment Company[38]
March 25, 2011
Samurai Warriors: JP, NA,
(EU) March 27, Omega Force Tecmo Koei
Chronicles[58] EU
2011 (NA)
Saints Row: Drive-By TBA TBA THQ TBA
Shanghai 3D Cube 2011[38] Sunsoft Sunsoft JP
Shin Megami Tensei
TBA TBA Atlus JP
(working title)[34]
Shin Megami Tensei:
Persona (working title) TBA TBA Atlus JP
[34]

Shin Megami Tensei:

Summer 2011 JP, EU,
Devil Survivor Atlus Atlus
(NA) NA
Overclocked[34]
March 25, 2011 NA, EU,
The Sims 3[46] Visceral Games Electronic Arts
(EU) [59] JP
Sonic the Hedgehog JP, NA,
TBA TBA Sega
(working title)[34] EU
SpongeBob
April 2011 WayForward THQ NA
SquigglePants
JP, NA,
Star Fox 64 3D[46] 2011 Nintendo EAD Nintendo
EU
March 27, 2011 JP, NA,
Steel Diver[60] Nintendo EAD Nintendo
(NA) EU
Super Mario (Working
TBA Nintendo EAD Nintendo TBA
Title)[61]
March 25, 2011
Super Monkey Ball JP, NA,
(EU) March 27, Sega Sega
3D[62] EU
2011 (NA)
Super Robot Wars Namco Bandai
TBA Banpresto JP
(working title) Games
March 25, 2011
Super Street Fighter IV JP, NA,
(EU) March 27, Dimps / Capcom Capcom
3D Edition[4] EU
2011 (NA)
Namco Tales Namco Bandai
Tales of the Abyss[63] May 19, 2011 JP
Studio Games
Tetris Axis[19] Summer 2011 Hudson Soft Hudson Soft JP
THOR: God of
TBA TBA Sega NA
Thunder[64]
Time Travelers[65] TBA Level-5 Level-5 JP
Tom Clancy’s Ghost March 25, 2011 NA, EU,
Ubisoft Bulgaria Ubisoft
Recon: Shadow Wars[46] (EU) JP
Tom Clancy's Splinter March 25, 2011 Ubisoft Montreal NA, EU,
Ubisoft
Cell 3D (EU) / Gameloft JP
Transformers: Dark of June 14, 2011
TBA Activision[66] TBA
the Moon[66] (EU)
[67]
Virus Shooter XX March 2011 TBA Dorart JP
WonderWorld Majesco
TBA TBA TBA
Amusement Park[68] Entertainment
Yu-Gi-Oh! (working
TBA TBA Konami TBA
title)[69]

Health risks
Nintendo has publicly stated that the 3D mode of the 3DS is not intended for use by
children ages six and younger, citing possible harm to their vision. Nintendo suggests that
younger players use the device's 2D mode instead,[94] although the American Optometric
Association has assured parents that 3D gaming in moderation would not be harmful for
children.[95] Nintendo has stated that a parental control involving a PIN will allow parents
to disable autostereoscopic effects.[96]

Reception
The Nintendo 3DS hardware itself received positive reviews at launch, with many stating
that the device's 3D effect is "impressively sharp and clean",[97][98] although it is stated that
the 3D effect only works if you hold it at the right distance and angle.[99][98] The biggest
complaint heard from reviewers was regarding the 3DS's battery life; Engadget reported
to get 3 hours of battery life from the system[99], while IGN reported 2 to 4.5 hours of
play.[98]