Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo 3DS ニンテンドー3DS Nintendō Surī Dī Esu

Aqua Blue Nintendo 3DS system

Games No. of games ~700 No. of launch titles 16 Best-selling game Mario Kart 7 (18.11 million) Last game N/A

Technical details Media Nintendo 3DS Game Cards, Nintendo DS/DSi Game Cards, Digital distribution Storage capacity 128 MB FCRAM, 6 MB VRAM, 1 GB internal flash memory, SD card CPU Dual Core ARM11 MPCore, single core ARM9 Model no. CTR-001

Compatibility Can connect with Wii U Input Touch Screen Backwards compatible with Nintendo DS/DSi Services provided Nintendo Network, Virtual Console

Time Launch date NA: March 27, 2011 JP: February 26, 2011 EU: March 25, 2011 AUS: March 31, 2011 KOR: April 28, 2012 Discontinue date JP: July 13, 2017 Units sold WW: 74.84 million NA: 26.35 million JP: 25.15 million

Lineage Predecessor Successor Nintendo DS Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo 3DS (Japanese: ニンテンド3DS Nintendo 3DS) is a portable console developed by Nintendo. It is the successor of the Nintendo DS. Like previous DS consoles, it features dual screens, with the lower screen being a touch screen. However, the top screen is able to produce "3D effects without glasses" via a process called autostereoscopy. The console features backwards compatiblity with the DS and DSi consoles. It was released on February 25, 2011 for Japan, March 27, 2011 for North America. It also has a Mii Maker, and a Virtual Console for Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.

Production

This section is a stub. You can help NintendoWiki by expanding it.

In April 2017, Nintendo updated its support website to state that it would no longer be accepting requests for repairs of original model Nintendo 3DS systems.

As of August 2020, production of the 3DS has been discontinued.

Features and Software

System Settings

System Settings allows you to change settings for your Nintendo 3DS, such as system profile and date/time. System Settings also allows you to calibrate the touch screen and Circle Pad, perform Microphone Tests and 3D Screen Checks, and use System Transfer.

Activity Log

Activity Log allows you to view records of activity on the 3DS (pedometer steps, game playtime, etc.). It also has a Software Library feature where you can view software you've played, how long you've played it, etc. You can also view rankings in the Software Library.

AR Games

AR Cards

Augmented Realty Games (or AR Games for short) are games that use the AR cards and the 2 outer cameras to augment reality on your 3DS screen. You can then play a multitude of games such as archery and fishing. You can also use your play coins to purchase new games.

Nintendo eShop

The 3DS features its own video game and application download feature called the Nintendo eShop, which features games from the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, as well as 3D versions of "Classic Games", in addition to DSiware games. The Nintendo eShop abandons the traditional Nintendo points system and instead use a cash-based system where people can either load money onto their 3DS directly with a credit card or through official cards bought in retail stores.

Themes

Main article: List of Nintendo 3DS themes

The October 6, 2014 update added themes to the HOME Menu. Five come free (red, blue, yellow, pink, and black) and a Theme Shop has more for purchase.

Game Updates

Game updates are hosted by the eShop and appear as their own free downloadable items while browsing. It is possible to download updates even for games the player does not have. For games that have had multiple updates, only the latest version appears.

When downloading a game from the eShop, only the first version (Ver. 1.0) is downloaded, then the eShop will ask the user if they want to also download the latest update. On the Data Management menu, updates are treated as "free DLC" and can be deleted without deleting the game.

When launching a game that has a not-yet-downloaded update, the system will give the player the option to download the update. In order to see this prompt, the user must have attempted to open either the eShop or Nintendo Network ID Settings at least once (this resets if the user changes their locale).

List of Nintendo 3DS System Versions

Version Number	Date Released	Description
1.0.0-0	System Default	Initial version included at the launch of the system.
1.1.0-1	March 27, 2011	Improves stability of system, improves network connectivity, and extends data receiving ability. Also adds a 3D demonstration video.
2.0.0-2	June 6, 2011	Adds Nintendo eShop, 3DS Internet Browser, DSi-3DS system transfer, and SpotPass functionality in Sleep Mode. Also introduces a bug in Ridge Racer 3D.
2.1.0-3	June 15, 2011	Adds automatic updating when a wireless internet connection is available. Also fixes Ridge Racer 3D bug.
2.1.0-4	July 25, 2011	System stability fixes.
2.2.0-4	November 13, 2011	Adds ability to join online games from Friend List. Required to run Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7, and will automatically update to this version if a 3DS is not updated to this version or later.
3.0.0-5	December 6, 2011	Adds 3D video recording and stop motion/time lapse functionality to 3DS Camera. Adds Accomplishments, Music Player, Slideshow (for finished Puzzle Swap panels), SpotPass functionality, improved StreetPass functionality, new Puzzle Swap panels, and Find Mii II to StreetPass Mii Plaza. Adds demo downloads, in-game purchase downloads, Sleep Mode downloads ("Download Later"), add-on content for cartridge games, and improved convienience to Nintendo eShop. Improves Parental Controls, system security, and online play. Adds 3DS-3DS System Transfer, QR Code functionality (in HOME Menu's camera mode), and Nintendo Zone.
3.0.0-6	December 21, 2011	Minor improvements to system performance and StreetPass Mii Plaza.
4.0.0-7	April 24, 2012	Adds ability to create folders on the Home Menu to organize games and applications.
4.1.0-8	May 14, 2012	System stability fixes and minor adjustments
4.2.0-9	June 26, 2012	System stability fixes and minor adjustments
4.3.0-10	July 24, 2012	System stability foxes and minor adjustments
4.4.0-10	September 19, 2012	System stability fixes and minor adjustments
4.5.0-10	December 4, 2012	System stability fixes and minor adjustments
5.0.0-11	March 25, 2013	Makes Sleep Mode downloads still function when Nintendo eShop is open while in Sleep Mode
5.1.0-11	April 4, 2013	Fixes bug that prevents accessing System Settings
6.0.0-11	June 17, 2013	Adds save data backups for downloaded games
6.1.0-11	June 27, 2013	System stability fixes and minor adjustments
6.1.0-12	July 11, 2013	Can now update StreetPass Mii Plaza from within Mii Plaza application
6.2.0-12	August 5, 2013	Adds StreetPass relay feature, allowing StreetPass data to be passed between systems within a Nintendo Zone
6.3.0-12	September 12, 2013	System stability fixes and minor adjustments
7.0.0-13	December 9, 2013	Adds Nintendo Network IDs, Miiverse, and a notification system for software updates. Changes activation of the 3DS Camera to pressing the L and R buttons simultaneously. Removed limit of system transfers
7.1.0-14	December 19, 2013	System stability fixes and minor adjustments
7.1.0-15	January 22, 2014	System stability fixes and minor adjustments
7.1.0-16	February 26, 2014	System stability fixes and minor adjustments
7.2.0-17	May 12, 2014	Passwords for Parental Controls may now be emailed in case they are forgotten
8.0.0-18	July 7, 2014	System stability fixes and minor adjustments
8.1.0-18	July 24, 2014	System stability fixes and minor adjustments
8.1.0-19	August 6, 2014	System stability fixes and minor adjustments
9.0.0-20	October 6, 2014	Adds themes to the Home Menu and a Theme Shop for purchaseable ones. Screenshots of the Home Menu are now possible. Alteration to the Nintendo eShop.
9.2.0-20	October 29, 2014	System stability fixes and minor adjustments
9.3.0-21	December 8, 2014	Users are now able to shuffle through themes, software updates downloadable on the HOME menu, screenshots now available for both screens, amiibo settings for the 3DS XL, and stability improvements.
9.4.0-21	December 11, 2014	System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
9.5.0-22	February 2, 2015	System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
9.5.0-23	March 2, 2015	System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
9.6.0-24	March 23, 2015	Home menu layout setting, additional theme categories, stability fixes and minor adjustments added. Amiibo settings for most devices also added.
9.7.0-25	April 20, 2015	System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
9.8.0-25	June 1, 2015	System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
9.9.0-26	July 13, 2015	System stability fixes, security stability, and minor adjustments.
10.0.0-27	September 8, 2015	System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
10.1.0-27	September 14, 2015	System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
10.2.0-28	October 19, 2015	System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
10.3.0-28	November 9, 2015	Stability fixes and minor adjustments.
10.4.0-29	January 18, 2016	Stability fixes and minor adjustments.
10.5.0-30	January 25, 2016	Stability fixes and minor adjustments.

System revisions

Nintendo 3DS XL

The Nintendo 3DS XL.

In July 2012, a second iteration of the console was released, the Nintendo 3DS XL. It was released in North America and Europe in Silver/Brown, Red/Brown and Blue/Brown colours, and was also released in fully white and Pikachu-themed editions in Japan.

Differences between the Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL

• The 3DS XL boasts 90% bigger screens, which also results in a harder to lose 3D sweetspot, and more exaggerated 3D effect. The screens are also less light-reflective.
• The 3DS XL has a larger battery life.
• The 3D light has been removed, and the 3D Slider must now be clicked to be disabled.
• Start, Select and Home are now more clickable buttons.
• The 3DS XL comes with a larger SD Card.
• The stylus of the 3DS XL is no longer telescopic, and is placed in the side of the console.
• The circle pad is smaller, smoother, and indented further into the console. Additionally, the four protrusions of the D-Pad are now sloped.

Nintendo 2DS

The Nintendo 2DS is the third version of the Nintendo 3DS hardware, released on October 12, 2013 for most of the world (coinciding with the release of Pokémon X and Y, and on December 7, 2013 in South Korea; the hardware has not been released in Japan. The Nintendo 2DS was designed to be an entry-level and budget version of the console, having a cheaper price point compared to the other two systems at the time and removing several features, most notably the stereoscopic 3D capabilities of the system; as such, according to Reggie Fils-Aimé the target audience of the Nintendo 2DS is younger players who were advised to not use the 3D feature on the standard Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL systems.

While the system's internals and software capabilities are the same as the Nintendo 3DS as it is redesign of the system, several alterations were made to cut costs. While the system lacks the 3D capabilities of the other systems, it still has the dual cameras allowing it to capture 3D images, which can be viewed in 3D on any other Nintendo 3DS family system. In addition, the Nintendo 2DS uses a new form factor rather than the clamshell form used by all Nintendo handheld systems since the Game Boy Advance SP (excluding the Game Boy Micro); the system instead has a switch for putting the system into sleep mode. The dual screens are a singular touch-sensitive screen framed to give the illusion of dual screens and to retain the same dimensions as other Nintendo 3DS systems. It also only has mono audio output as opposed to the stereo output of the previous systems. Finally, the Start and Select buttons are placed on the bottom right side of the system, as opposed to being on both sides of the home button, while the other buttons themselves are placed closer to the center of the system due to the new design.

Region locking

The Nintendo 3DS is the only Nintendo handheld to be region-locked. This also affects which languages can be set.

The system itself and the 3DS eShop have separate language settings. Any locale in the region can be paired with any system language, but each locale only supports certain eShop language(s). For example, if the eShop language is currently Spanish, then the user changes their locale to Belgium and their system language to French, and then they open the eShop, it will prompt them (in Spanish) that their current locale does not match their eShop language and ask if they want to change their eShop language to either French or Dutch. If the eShop language was instead Dutch at the beginning, the eShop will remain in Dutch (after the locale is changed to Belgium and the system language is changed to French), and the user must change the eShop language manually from inside the application.

Balances can only be transferred between eShop locales if the two locales have the same currency.

Nintendo Network IDs are locale-locked. Once a Nintendo Network ID is added to the 3DS, if the user then changes the 3DS's locale, they will no longer be able to browse the eShop. A Nintendo Network ID cannot be easily removed after being added.

U region

U region systems are limited to four language options: French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

U region systems can be set to the following locales, exactly as spelled in the system. Groupings are unofficial.

• North America: Canada, United States, Mexico, Bermuda
• Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
• Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands
• South America: Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela
• Others: Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, U. A. E.

For U region systems, the 3DS eShop is only available in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Brazil.

The Canada 3DS eShop supports French and English, the United States 3DS eShop supports English and Spanish, the Mexico 3DS eShop also supports English and Spanish, and the Brazil 3DS eShop supports English and Portuguese.

Until July 31, 2020, the other listed locales in the Americas also had limited 3DS eShops where only download codes could be redeemed and game updates could be downloaded.

The eShop app can be "opened" in an unsupported locale (including ones not in the Americas), but it will display a "currently not available" message and prompt the user to exit the app. If the user has added a Nintendo Network ID of a different locale (whether supported or unsupported), the error message about different locales will take priority over the unsupported locale message.

If the user is in one of these locales, then the user will still be prompted to download game updates even though the eShop is not available. However, attempting to start the download will throw Error Code 009-1003 and the prompt will not be dismissed. This error code cannot be resolved by opening the eShop but can be resolved by changing the locale.

However, if the user has added a Nintendo Network ID in one of these locales, then attempting to start the download will instead throw Error Code 026-3131. Since the user can no longer change their locale without losing access to items inside the eShop, they will be "locked out" of game updates. (Attempting to start the download after changing locale will throw the same error as attempting to log in to the eShop.) The user may get rid of the update prompt by changing their locale (to anywhere and/or back to their original locale), then never opening the eShop or the Nintendo Network ID Settings menu.

E region

E region systems may select among eight language options: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, and Russian.

E region systems can be set to the following locales, exactly as spelled in the system. Groupings are unofficial.

• European Union (at the time): United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark (Kingdom of), Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
• Europe non-EU: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Albania, Andorra, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein, Macedonia (Republic of), Monaco, Montenegro, Russia, San Marino, Serbia and Kosovo, Turkey, Vatican City
• UK territories: Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey
• Africa: Botswana, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe
• Others: Australia, New Zealand, India

For E region systems, the 3DS eShop is only available in the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Note that this does not include Iceland.

Turkey also has a limited 3DS eShop where download codes can be redeemed, and some (but not all) free updates and free apps can be downloaded. (For example, updates for Pokémon X and Y can be downloaded, but no other Pokémon games or demos. Nintendo Letter Box (aka Swapnote) can be downloaded.)

The France 3DS eShop supports only French, the Italian 3DS eShop supports only Italian, the German 3DS eShop supports only German, the Spain 3DS eShop supports only Spanish, the Netherlands 3DS eShop supports only Dutch, and the Portugal 3DS eShop supports only Portuguese. The Austria 3DS eShop supports only German, the Belgium 3DS eShop supports Dutch and French, the Luxembourg 3DS eShop supports French and German, and the Switzerland 3DS eShop supports German, French, and Italian. All other E region 3DS eShops support only English.

The eShop app cannot be opened in an unsupported locale. The Nintendo Network ID Settings also cannot be accessed. Attempting to do either will immediately display a "This service is not available in your region." message and the app will not attempt to open.

Game updates cannot be downloaded in a locale where the eShop app cannot be opened. If the user is in one of these locales, then they will never be prompted to download a game update. If the user switches to one of these locales, any existing prompts will disappear (as with all locale switches, but here they cannot be made to reappear).

The 3DS eShop was previously available in Russia but was suspended in 2022. The eShop app will "open", then display a "currently not available" message and prompt the user to exit.

J region

J region systems automatically use a locale of Japan and are language-locked to Japanese. There is no setting to change either.

External links

Nintendo 3DS on other NIWA Wikis:
Bulbapedia Fire Emblem Wiki F-Zero Wiki Lylat Wiki Metroid Wiki Nookipedia Pikipedia SmashWiki StrategyWiki Super Mario Wiki WiKirby Zelda Wiki

• Nintendo 3DS on Wikipedia

References

This article is a stub. You can help NintendoWiki by expanding it.

Hardware Nintendo 3DS • XL • 2DS New Nintendo 3DS • XL • 2DS XL Components / other Media: Game Card (DS • 3DS) Circle Pad Pro (XL) amiibo • Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer Games Games (Nintendo Selects) Virtual Console • 3D Classics Nintendo DS games (DSiWare) Pre-loaded software / other Mii Maker • Miiverse • Nintendo eShop • Nintendo 3DS Sound • Nintendo Video • Face Raiders • AR Games • StreetPass Mii Plaza Nintendo Network • Nintendo Zone • StreetPass • SpotPass

Home consoles Console Famicom • Disk System Model NES-101 M82 Accessories Games VC games FDS games Console Model SNS-101 Nintendo Super System Accessories Games VC games Console iQue Player Accessories Games (by serial code) VC games Console Panasonic Q Accessories Games Console Family Edition • mini Accessories Games Wii Channels WiiWare Virtual Console Console Accessories Games Virtual Console Console Lite OLED model Accessories Games
Handhelds Hardware Games Console Pocket • Light Accessories Games VC games Console Games Console Accessories Games VC games Console SP • Micro Visteon Dockable Entertainment System Accessories Games Console Lite DSi • XL Accessories Games DSiWare Console XL • 2DS New Nintendo 3DS • XL • 2DS XL Accessories Games Virtual Console
Other Standalone consoles Arcade Pokémon Classics Cancelled Color TV-Game 6 • 15 Racing 112 Block Breaker Computer TV-Game Computer Mah-jong Yakuman Nintendo Vs. System Nintendo PlayChoice-10 Nintendo Super System Triforce Games VC games Pokémon Pikachu • 2 GS Pokémon mini Games NES Classic Edition • Nintendo Classic Mini: Famicom Super NES Classic Edition Game Boy Advance predecessor IRIS