Nintendo 3DS
Original 3DS model, white variant
| Product type | Handheld console |
| Initial release | 26 February 2011[1] |
| Region lock | Yes |
The Nintendo 3DS is an eighth-generation handheld game console produced by Nintendo, succeeding the Nintendo DS family. Several versions of the console were released between February 2011 and July 2017, referred to as the 3DS family line of consoles.
No Splatoon series games released for this console, though Splatoon-themed cosmetic cover plates and HOME menu themes were made available for purchase. Several non-Splatoon Nintendo games on the 3DS feature Splatoon cameos and references; many are a result of the Splatoon series amiibo being compatible with certain 3DS games.
The 3DS console family was discontinued in 2019 as Nintendo's final dedicated handheld to date; its spiritual successor was the Nintendo Switch. The 3DS console lines' online services were discontinued alongside the Wii U's on 8 April 2024 at 23:00 UTC.[2]
Release history
The Nintendo 3DS was first announced by Nintendo via a short press release on 23 March 2010[3] and was revealed to the public at E3 2010 in June. It was released in Japan on 26 February 2011, Europe on 25 March 2011, North America on 27 March 2011, and Australia on 31 March 2011.
As of September 2022, the Nintendo 3DS family of systems has sold a combined total of 75.94 million units.[4]
Models
Six different versions of the Nintendo 3DS console were released:
- Standard 3DS line:
- The Nintendo 3DS initially released in February 2011.[1] Based on the Nintendo DSi, it features a clamshell design and 3D stereoscopic effect on its top screen, which was heavily marketed as the console's main feature. The original 3DS' manufacturer suggested retail price was drastically reduced within its launch year due to low sales.[5]
- The Nintendo 3DS XL, a larger version of the standard 3DS was initially released in July 2012.[1]
- The Nintendo 2DS, a cheaper version of the standard 3DS which lacks the clamshell design and 3D effect capabilities, was initially released in October 2013 and marketed towards younger children.[6]
- New 3DS line:
- The New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL are upgraded versions of the standard 3DS and 3DS XL, featuring more buttons, better processing power, and amiibo support. The two consoles were initially released simultaneously in October 2014.[7] Certain 3DS games, dubbed "New 3DS games", are only compatible with the New 3DS line. The base New 3DS introduced the option of swapping the console's cover plates, which were sold separately, offering more options for cosmetic customization.
- The New Nintendo 2DS XL is a larger version of the standard 2DS model based on the New 3DS XL hardware, now featuring a clamshell design, and was released in July 2017.[8]
Features
The 3DS console line models offered the following features:
- Two screens. The bottom screen is a resistive touchscreen; a stylus accessory is included with the console
- Front and back cameras
- Microphone
- SD card port
- Togglable stereoscopic 3D effect without the need for use of 3D glasses (not available on 2DS models)
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- SpotPass and StreetPass connectivity, both of which occur when the device is in sleep mode; SpotPass enables players to receive information from Nintendo on their device, while StreetPass allows for data to be transferred wirelessly from one player to another
- Wii U connectivity
- A HOME menu, similar to the Wii and Wii U
- amiibo reading compatibility (only available on New 3DS models)
- Physical cartridge and digital download compatibility for games and software
- DS and DSi game and software compatibility
- An eShop with Nintendo Network compatibility; a player's Nintendo Network ID could be linked from a 3DS to a Wii U and vice versa
- Virtual Console compatibility: the Virtual Console was a selection of titles within the eShop service that let users purchase retro Nintendo games re-released on the comparably newer console
A large number of accessories and peripherals were released for the console family. Following the New Nintendo 3DS line's release, a peripheral called the Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer was released to allow 3DS models without NFC reading and writing capabilities built-in to interact with amiibo.
Related 3DS family games
The following Nintendo games released for the 3DS family feature Splatoon crossovers, references and/or Splatoon series amiibo compatibility:
- Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Welcome amiibo
- Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer
- Daigasso! Band Brothers P
- Hey! Pikmin
- Miitopia
- Nintendo Badge Arcade
- Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World
- StreetPass Mii Plaza
- Style Savvy: Fashion Forward and Style Savvy: Styling Star
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
- WarioWare Gold
Two 3DS HOME menu themes based on Splatoon were available for purchase via the Themes Shop. Both themes would re-skin the HOME menu with Splatoon art, accompanied by music and sound effects from the game. The themes were also made available in the My Nintendo rewards store.
- Splatoon: Inkredible Theme, released on 28 May 2015[9] which features artwork of Inklings, jellyfish, and Octotroopers on the top screen, and Judd on the bottom screen. Splattack! plays in the background. Folders display as yellow with a swirled orange pattern. A demonstration video was published to the Japanese Nintendo channel on Youtube on 26 May 2015.
- Splatoon: Squid Sisters released on 5 August 2015[10] which has artwork of the Squid Sisters on the top screen with artwork from Inkopolis News on the bottom screen. Calamari Inkantation plays in the background. Folders display as white with red Firefin logo and RBTSML stickers. A demonstration video was published to the Japanese Nintendo channel on Youtube on 5 September 2015.
Both themes feature sound effects heard in the lobby in place of the standard HOME sound effects. When launching a title, a Super Jump sound effect plays.
Gallery
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Splatoon: Inkredible Theme theme promotional image
-
Splatoon: Squid Sisters theme promotional image
-
Screenshot of the HOME menu with the Splatoon: Inkredible Theme theme applied
-
Screenshot of the HOME menu with the Splatoon: Squid Sisters theme applied
-
Artwork of the Squid Sisters and Judd playing on 3DS as seen in the Splatoon: Squid Sisters theme. Marie's 3DS notably has the Splatoon-themed cover plates
Splatoon cover plates
A set of Splatoon-themed cover plates for New Nintendo 3DS consoles was released exclusively in Japan on 28 May 2015, referred to as No.060 as it was the 60th set released.[11]
The design features multicolor ink splashes similar to the ones seen in Splatoon's splash screen. The set was only made available for New 3DS models.
A set of Super Mario Maker-themed cover plates for New Nintendo 3DS consoles was released exclusively in Japan on 28 November 2015, referred to as No.067.[11] These cover plates feature, among many other Nintendo characters, the green Inkling Squid costume as seen in-game.
Gallery
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Splatoon-themed cover plates in their packaging
-
Promotional picture for amiibo diorama merchandise, suggesting use of 3DS to view footage of a Squid Sisters concert
-
Advertisement showing featuring two 3DS consoles at a Thanksgiving dinner table
External links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Nintendo 3DS article on Nintendo Wiki
- ↑
Announcement of Discontinuation of Online Services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software
- ↑ Launch of New Portable Game Machine
- ↑ IR Information: Sales Data - Dedicated Video Game Sales Units
- ↑ 3DS Fire Sale: Nintendo Slashes Handheld Price to $170 - Wired
- ↑ Nintendo 2DS article on Nintendo Wiki
- ↑ New Nintendo 3DS article on Nintendo Wiki
- ↑ New Nintendo 2DS XL article on Nintendo Wiki
- ↑ いろんな「テーマ」で3DSをきせかえ。 テーマ一覧 2015年5月|ニンテンドー3DS|任天堂
- ↑ いろんな「テーマ」で3DSをきせかえ。 テーマ一覧 2015年8月|ニンテンドー3DS|任天堂
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 きせかえプレート|Newニンテンドー3DS|任天堂
