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 (or redownloading) a game from the eShop, only the first version (Ver. 1.0) is downloaded. After either completing or postponing it from the eShop screen, the eShop will ask the user if they want to also download the latest update if it has not already been downloaded. On the Data Management menu, updates are treated as "free DLC" and can be deleted without deleting the game. The original game can also be deleted without deleting the update.

(In contrast, paid DLC does not show up as its own separate eShop items and cannot be downloaded without having the original game.)

On the Home screen, when hovering over a game that has a not-yet-downloaded update, the system will display a footnote on the top screen saying so. When launching a game with this footnote while the system has an internet connection, the system will bring up a prompt giving the player the option to download the update. Disconnecting the system from the internet does not dismiss the footnote but prevents the prompt from appearing. In order to see the footnote for the first time, the user must have accepted the EULA (which appears when starting anything that needs an internet connection except for a system update or format, and optionally appears when setting up an internet connection). (Therefore, any footnotes will disappear at least temporarily 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 series is the only Nintendo handheld series to be region-locked. Each region may only set certain languages and locales.

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).

The system and the 3DS eShop also technically have separate locale settings, which will stop matching if the user changes their 3DS's locale. This has some consequences.

Without a Nintendo Network ID added

Before adding a Nintendo Network ID to the 3DS, the user may change their 3DS's locale and still browse the eShop. Opening the eShop will first check the current eShop language against the new locale; if they are not compatible then the app will prompt the user. 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 support 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). Changing the eShop language requires automatically restarting the app (and logging in again if a Nintendo Network ID is added).

Afterward, the eShop will display a series of messages stating that software availability may differ by locale and that balances may not carry over; if the new locale uses a different currency from the old locale, both the old and new balances will be displayed. Proceeding from here will change the eShop's locale to match the system's. (The app will also auto-restart; this may result in two auto-restarts in a row combined with the previous one.) Balances in a different currency will not carry over, but will return if the locale is changed back. Any games that are already downloaded or partially downloaded (including those whose download has not started yet) will remain or continue downloading even if the user changes to a locale that does not have that game available, or to a locale that cannot open the eShop.

If the 3DS's locale and the eShop locale do not match, game updates cannot be downloaded. Attempting to start the download will throw Error Code 009-1003 and the footnote (displaying that an update is available) will not be dismissed.

With a Nintendo Network ID added

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. Any balance that was in a different currency from before the Nintendo Network ID was added will be forfeited. A Nintendo Network ID cannot be easily removed after being added.

If the user opens the eShop in one locale without a Nintendo Network ID, then changes their locale without re-opening the eShop, then adds a Nintendo Network ID matching the new locale, and then logs into the eShop with the Nintendo Network ID, the eShop will enter a situation where a locale-locked login is successful yet the eShop's current (old) locale does not match it. In this case, the eShop app will automatically restart itself with the new locale and require the user to log in a second time.

Formatting

The eShop remembers the last locale used by a 3DS's serial number, even after formatting the system. For example, if the user visits the eShop with their 3DS locale set to Canada, then formats, then visits the eShop with their 3DS locale set to the United States, the eShop will still display the old and new locales and the reminder about availability and currency.

In contrast, the eShop does not remember the last eShop language used by a 3DS's serial number after a format. Instead, when the eShop is first opened, the eShop language will be set to the current system language. If it is not compatible with the eShop's current locale, the eShop will display the prompt about unsupported languages as usual.

However, Nintendo Network IDs do keep track of eShop language after a format. For example, if the user adds a Nintendo Network ID whose locale is the United States, then sets their eShop language to Spanish, then formats, then sets their locale to Canada and their eShop language to English, then changes their locale back to the United States, then re-adds the Nintendo Network ID, and then logs into the eShop, the eShop language will automatically change from English to Spanish (during the previously mentioned automatic refresh). Only one auto-refresh will occur even though both the eShop language and eShop locale are changing (in contrast to the same situation without a Nintendo Network ID added, which causes two auto-restarts).

The above scenario can also occur with only an automatic language change but no automatic locale change, which will also cause one automatic refresh and re-login. If instead the above scenario occurs but the Nintendo Network ID has never had an eShop language set, and the current eShop language is not compatible with the Nintendo Network ID's locale, then the eShop will prompt the user to select a compatible language before the refresh. (This is the only way to both have a Nintendo Network ID and also see a language selection prompt upon opening the eShop.) The Nintendo Network ID's eShop language is separate from the language used when receiving (e.g.) forgot password emails to that Nintendo Network ID's email address, which use the system language.

System Transfers

Performing a System Transfer, in addition to requiring an internet connection, also has various locale-related requirements. If the 3DS has a Nintendo Network ID added, the user must have successfully logged into and opened the eShop using that Nintendo Network ID at least once. (This resets if the Nintendo Network ID is no longer added, such as through reformatting.) Finally, regardless of whether the 3DS has a Nintendo Network ID or not, if the eShop's locale and the 3DS's locale do not match, the user must open the eShop at least once. (For systems without a NNID added, the eShop must open to the point when the two locales match. For systems with a NNID added, for unknown reasons, opening the eShop meets this requirement even though it results in a login failure due to mismatched locales and the eShop's locale not changing.) If these one or two requirements are not met, the System Transfer menu will display a message about the first unmet requirement and prompt the user to return to the Settings menu.

Regions

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. This will also fail to change the eShop's locale. However, if the user has added a Nintendo Network ID of the same unsupported locale, the eShop locale will actually change (after a successful login and displaying the previous message). 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 an unsupported locale, they will still see game update footnotes even though the eShop is not available. If the eShop's locale and the 3DS's locale match, attempting to start the download will throw Error Code 026-3131. If the user has a Nintendo Network ID added at this point, they will be "locked out" of game updates, since they can no longer change their locale without losing access to items inside the eShop. The user may temporarily get rid of the footnote by changing their locale (to anywhere and/or back to their original locale), then never accepting the EULA (for example, by never opening the eShop, Internet Browser, Friend List, or Nintendo Network ID Settings menu).

System Transfers are not possible from an unsupported locale. If the 3DS has a Nintendo Network ID added, the user will never be able to meet the "successfully log into and open the eShop using that Nintendo Network ID" requirement and the usual message will always appear. If the 3DS doesn't have a Nintendo Network ID added, then regardless of the eShop's current locale, the system will throw Error Code 028-3131.

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. For unknown reasons, balances in the Turkey 3DS eShop display with the zł symbol (Polish złoty) if the language is English, though it is impossible to add any balance. They display properly as TRY (Turkish lira) in other languages, which is only visible when changing locales out of Turkey and reading the message about different balances in the new locale's eShop language.) System Transfers are possible as normal with a locale of Turkey.

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 EULA cannot be accessed or accepted in an unsupported locale, and anything that would display it will instead display a "This service is not available in your region." message. As a consequence, the eShop app cannot be opened (attempting to will immediately display the previous message and the app will not try to open). This also applies to the Nintendo Network ID Settings, apps such as the Friend List and Internet Browser, and the System Transfer option in the Settings menu. (Therefore, game updates also cannot be downloaded and the user will never see any game update footnotes.)

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.

K region

K region systems automatically use a locale of Korea and are language-locked to Korean. There is no setting to change either.

T region

T region systems are language-locked to Traditional Chinese, and can be set to a locale of either Taiwan or Hong Kong.

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