Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS is a handheld console of the Japanese company Nintendo and the successor to the Nintendo DS series. It is the first game console that can display autostereoscopic 3D content, special glasses is therefore not required. He arrived in Japan on 26 February 2011 launch in Europe on the 25th and in the U.S. on March 27. In a press event on January 19, 2011 in New York and Amsterdam, it was announced that the 3DS 25,000 Yen or $ 249.99 would cost.

In Germany so far no console has sold faster than the 3DS (as of March 2012). Early 2012 was Nintendo of America announced that the 3DS has sold more in the first nine months than the Nintendo Wii.

History

The 3DS was unveiled at E3 2010 on 15 June 2010 to the public. Prototypes of the device were available for visitors to the E3 and could be tested. On the in-house exhibition Nintendo World 2011, the Nintendo 3DS and some software was first available to the Japanese public.

In the first week after the release of the 3DS sold in the U.S. less than 400 000 times and thus fell short of analysts' expectations. In Europe by mid- May 2011 about 300 000 copies were sold, of which about 50 000 units in Germany. As of July 2011, the console was sold worldwide 4.3 million times. In response to these disappointing figures and a corrected downward earnings forecast Nintendo announced 2011 price cuts from 29 to 40 percent for the product for August 12. Customers who bought a 3DS before the price reduction was compensated with free, partially exclusive game downloads. Thus, 235 000 copies were sold in the month, of which 185 000 after the price reduction.

Technical Features

Like its predecessor, the Nintendo DS, the Nintendo 3DS has two screens. The top screen on the inside of the lid features an autostereoscopic 3D display from Sharp with a diagonal of 8.97 cm ( 3.53 inches), which can be used without special glasses. The resolution of the 3D display is a total of 2 × 400 × 240 px, that is 400 × 240 px for each eye. The intensity of the stereoscopic display is adjustable to be switched off via a slider. 3D representations can also be disabled on a permanent basis by a password. Nintendo explicitly recommends this parents who leave children play with the appliance, although there are no findings on any long-term damage caused by stereoscopic projections. The lower screen contrast, is a 7.62 cm ( 3 inches) high, pressure-sensitive touch screen. The resolution of the touch screen is 320 × 240 px.

Also, in the control of the 3DS resembles its predecessors. For better control, there is now but one analog stick, called the Slide Pad, on the left side. The button "Start" and "Select" are arranged on the bottom edge of the touch screen which also include a similar to the Wiimote, " home button " joins the 3DS, with which it is possible to return from playing in the main menu without to end the game, ( unless a new application is started ) but only for 3DS game modules. In addition, motion control is possible via an accelerometer and a gyroscope. These also make it a pedometer in the 3DS. ( See also game coins) as the graphics chip of the 3DS uses the " PICA200 " processor technology of the Japanese company Digital Media Professionals.

As the direct predecessor - DSI also has the 3DS cameras, however, two on the outside of the panel to enable stereoscopic photographs, and an internally directed to the player. All cameras have a VGA resolution of 640 × 480 px ( 0.3 megapixels). The Wi -Fi connection has been expanded so that you can connect with other 3DS systems and, for example, the exchange of high scores is possible. The Nintendo 3DS can always be online, even in stand-by mode to game updates, etc. to download or use the StreetPass function (data exchange on certain games ). The 2.4 GHz band is supported. The Wi- Fi functionality can be turned on and off via a physical switch for the first time.

Games are delivered as the Nintendo DS on the well-known game modules that have been mechanically modified so that they do not fit in the DS. The games have a maximum size of 8 GB, next to a SD ( HC ) card slot is like the DSi available, which serves as support for the internal memory, for example, to store the captured photos. Similar to the Wii also an activity log is performed with which the user is listed for each software used the playing time.

The weight of the handheld is 227 grams. It is operated with a lithium -ion battery with 1300 mAh. According to Nintendo, the accumulator when playing 3DS games 3-5 hours, at DS games will keep for 5-8 hours. These data are based on the highest brightness level, since under lower brightness level of the 3D effect poor to no longer to be visible. The dimensions are 13.5 cm long, 7.4 cm wide and 2 cm high. The cost for the hardware and the assembly amounted, according to IHS iSuppli analysis service to around 73 euros.

Furthermore, 3D photos, and sound recordings can be created, the latter can also be used for other purposes via an SD card. Since the firmware update to version 3.0.0 (7 December 2011) is possible to record and watch 3D videos.

With the help of the six AR Cards included special functions can be used in games and applications that support them. For example, animals of Nintendogs Cats appear virtually on these cardboard cards with equipment of these characters. At the same time pictures can be created and voice commands as tricks of the animals are shown.

Soon after the release of the Nintendo 3DS was reported software issues that should have a freezing of the screen result. This problem is Nintendo countered with the System Update 1.1.0-1.

Circle Pad Pro

On September 13, 2011 Nintendo president, Satoru Iwata, announced that a second Circle Pad for the 3DS. This will be available as an optional accessory and in some games offer improvements in the control. In Germany the so-called Circle Pad Pro has been released on 27 January 2012. The first game that supports it, is Resident Evil: Revelations.

The Circle Pad Pro is an add- periphery, in which the 3DS is laid. On the right side of the Circle Pad Pro adds so a second analog stick. Furthermore, supplements the periphery the 3DS system to two more shoulder buttons. The Circle Pad Pro is powered by its own battery and communicates with the 3DS via infrared. For the 3DS XL a customized version of the Circle Pad Pro is available since March 2013.

Street and SpotPass

When StreetPass is a possibility (eg in-game items ) to exchange data with other users. In the transmission, the Mii is also transferred, which can then be viewed in a particular application, the StreetPass Mii Plaza. In this way you can eg. Swap puzzle pieces that you usually have to buy game coins for yourself. The transmission duration is between about two seconds and three minutes.

With SpotPass, the system automatically connects to the Internet to download such as videos or news. Moreover, it is free to get additional content and appropriate messages about SpotPass on selected software titles possible, even if the particular 3DS memory card ( Game Engine) is not loaded or started.

Game coins ( virtual)

With the help of the step counter to the 3DS for each 100 distance traveled steps, a virtual game coin is added. This game coins can be used for various software titles, such as for the StreetPass Mii Plaza.

The number of game coins, which can be obtained in a day is limited to 10 and a total can simultaneously play up to 300 coins are on the 3DS.

Software

As other Nintendo consoles is the Nintendo 3DS backwards compatible. So can also be played on the 3DS for example, Nintendo DS games. Additionally, it is possible to transfer previously purchased DSiWare titles from a Nintendo DSi to the 3DS. Thus, no separate order is needed. Like the Wii includes new handheld also has its own version of the Virtual Console. In the online library can be selected among other Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles, as well as NES titles download and play. Individual games are prepared and support the 3D effect.

The Nintendo 3DS was also on 7 June 2011, NetFront Internet browser and access to the eShop for game downloads. Due to technical problems the eShop could not be as initially planned available for publication of the console. Unlike the download games centers for Wii and DSi can be used to pay any Nintendo Points Card, instead serves as a payment method credit card. For end of June 2011 it was announced that in addition eShop prepaid cards to appear in the trade; on 29 June 2011 but it was announced that the publication is postponed again until mid / end of July 2011. To this date, Nintendo has then two different cards with the values ​​15 and 25 € published.

In eShop purchased software is automatically installed on the connected SD card, or in the case of DSiWare in the system 's internal memory. Space is indicated in the 3DS Benutzerinteface in " blocks ", a " block " corresponds to 128 kilobytes. While Virtual Console and Nintendo 3DS download software can only be saved on the SD card, DSiWare is free to move through the menu item "Data Management " in the system settings between the SD card and internal memory. Generated by the software data such as saved games or the relative position of the icons in the "Home " menu are thereby moved. However, the start of an SD card stored DSiWare is not possible.

Through a system update on December 7, 2011, the 3DS has been extended to a video recording function. This allows the user to take 10-minute 2D and 3D video and create stop motion films. Since December 15, 2011 can be downloaded free of Euro Sport Video Player from the Nintendo eShop. This video player allows users to view 3D sports videos. The range is updated every week.

On 21 December 2011, the Nintendo letter box appeared in the Nintendo eShop. The Nintendo letter box allows the user to send emails to his friends (which are listed in the friends list of the Nintendo 3DS) to send. The e- mails are written by hand using the touch screen and sent via StreetPass and received. If you send e-mails several times, you will unlock new features such as 3D-Font, new stationery, and inserting photos. Insert More Stationery, and the possibility of up to 5 seconds long audio recordings, can be unlocked through game coins. Up to 1 November 2013, the messages could be sent via SpotPass (Internet). This option was hired by Nintendo because the software was partially used by minors to replace offensive material. In addition to this have been exchanged in forums and Friend Codes.

On April 25, 2012 Version 4.0.0 -7E was published. With this it is possible to create folders for its software titles and arrange them as you wish. Also, now games patches are supported. So an update for Mario Kart 7 is provided which bugs that allow unfair route abbreviations fixes in online mode. Besides, the design of the eShop has been made ​​more user- friendly.

Start title

The following games have come along with the 3DS in Europe on the market:

See also Category: Nintendo 3DS game.

The Nintendo 3DS was thus the first console on the Nintendo appeared not a game of Super Mario franchises as a starting item.

Models

Nintendo 3DS XL

On June 22, 2012 Nintendo announced at an Internet conference Nintendo 3DS XL, a version of the Nintendo 3DS with a revised design. The device has a 4.88 Zoll/12, 4cm ( 3DS: 3.53 inches / 8.97 cm) large upper and a 4.18 Zoll/11, 61cm ( 3DS: 3.00 inches / 7.62 cm) large lower screen. When closed, the 336 grams now about 100 grams heavier XL version measures 15.6 × 9.3 × 2.2 inches and can according to the manufacturer when in battery mode up to 6.5 hours (3DS: up to 5 hours) used be. The capacity of memory card supplied includes two now instead of four gigabytes.

The 3DS XL was released in Europe July 28, 2012, first in silver, blue and red and was only offered with no charger (but the Chargers 3DS, DSi XL and DSi are compatible). Until December 31, more than seven million 3DS XL have been sold worldwide. In Japan, additional other design options were presented. In Germany, the 3DS XL is also in the New Super Mario Bros -. , Animal Crossing, Pikachu Fire Emblem, Pokémon X & Y and Zelda design available. Since the spring of 2013, it is available in Germany but also in the colors black, white and pink.

Nintendo 2DS

On August 28, 2013 Nintendo announced a new model, the Nintendo 2DS. It should support all DS and 3DS games, as opposed to the 3DS models offer but no 3D effect and not be collapsible. The model was released on October 12, 2013, among others in Europe and North America but not in Japan.

Firmware updates

This firmware updates have been released since the beginning of the life of the Nintendo 3DS. Often the Nintendo eShop requires the latest firmware update for access.

  • StreetPass Mii Plaza ( updates can be downloaded and a shop for new games )
  • Memory data compatible software can be backed up and restored using backup copies
  • Improvements in system stability and other adjustments
  • Support StreetPass contact points
  • Improvements in system stability and other adjustments
  • Added Nintendo Network ID support
  • Added Miiverse support
  • Added message function for software update data
  • The camera mode can now be activated by simultaneously pressing the L and R buttons in the HOME menu.
  • Improvements in system stability and other adjustments
  • Improvements in system stability and other adjustments
  • Improvements in system stability and other adjustments
  • Improvements in system stability and other adjustments
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