Nintendo 3DS
- Not to be confused with Nintendo DS.
| Nintendo 3DS | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Official logo  An aqua blue Nintendo 3DS design | |||||||||
| Generation | Eighth generation | ||||||||
| Release dates | Nintendo 3DS: February 26, 2011[1] March 25, 2011[2] March 27, 2011[3] March 27, 2011[4] March 31, 2011[5] July 9, 2011[?] April 28, 2012[?] September 28, 2012[6] September 28, 2012[7]
Nintendo 3DS XL:
July 28, 2012 (as Nintendo 3DS LL)[?] July 28, 2012[?] August 19, 2012[8] August 23, 2012[?] September 3, 2012[?] September 20, 2012[?] September 28, 2012[?] September 28, 2012[?] December 7, 2012 (as iQue 3DS XL)[?]Nintendo 2DS: October 12, 2013[?] October 12, 2013[?] October 12, 2013[?] December 7, 2013[?] February 27, 2016[9]New Nintendo 3DS: October 11, 2014[?] November 21, 2014[10][dead link] February 13, 2015[?] September 10, 2015[11] September 25, 2015[12]New Nintendo 3DS XL: October 11, 2014[?] November 21, 2014[10] February 13, 2015[?] February 13, 2015[?] May 1, 2015[?]New Nintendo 2DS XL: June 15, 2017[?] July 13, 2017[?] July 13, 2017[?] July 28, 2017[?] July 28, 2017[?] | ||||||||
| Discontinued | Nintendo 3DS: February 3, 2015[13] Nintendo 3DS XL: | ||||||||
| Ratings |
| ||||||||
| Predecessors | Nintendo DS (indirect predecessor) Nintendo DSi (direct predecessor) | ||||||||
| Successors | Nintendo Switch (indirect successor) | ||||||||
September 17, 2020
- Everyone
- Seven years and older
- All ages
- Parental guidance- “Take a look inside.”
- —Advertisement slogan for the Nintendo 3DS
The Nintendo 3DS, also known as simply the 3DS, is a foldable eighth-generation handheld game system produced by Nintendo. It is Nintendo's seventh handheld system as the successor to the Nintendo DS but derives elements from the Nintendo DSi, so it could more specifically be a successor to the latter. One of the Nintendo 3DS's primary features is the 3D visual screen, which displays auto-stereoscopic images to create the illusion of depth without the need for 3D glasses. The depth can be adjusted with a slider found to the right of the screen, or turned off completely to play games in 2D. The console was released in Japan on February 26, 2011; in Europe on March 25, 2011; in the United States and Canada on March 27, 2011; and in Australia on March 31, 2011. It is the handheld counterpart of the Wii U, with graphical capabilities likened to that of the Nintendo GameCube, with better 3D modeling than the GameCube, but not on par with the Wii, instead being more pixelated due to the lack of texture filtering. This is the first Nintendo handheld console (not counting the Nintendo DSi) since the Game Boy Color not to feature a game of the Super Mario franchise on its launch date. During development, the console was codenamed "Centrair".
The system was initially available in two colors, Aqua Blue and Cosmos Black, with further iterations such as Flame Red, Pearl (Misty) Pink, and Midnight Purple released later. An Ice White 3DS (bundled with Super Mario 3D Land) was released in Japan on November 3, 2011, while a Cobalt Blue version bundled with Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon was released in North America on November 28, 2013. Three exclusive models inspired by Mario, Princess Peach, and Toad were also made available to Japanese, European, and Australian Club Nintendo members.[21] Later hardware revisions such as the 3DS XL also received Super Mario–themed models, including a Year of Luigi version released in Japan.
The Nintendo 3DS console has a similar appearance to that of the Nintendo DS, but it builds upon its features. It includes three cameras, one being inward and the other two being outward, that are used to shoot 3D pictures, merge them, record 3D videos, and play camera-based games such as AR Games. The console, much like its predecessors, features the four 
, 
, 
, and 
buttons; the 
and 
buttons (which are embedded below the Touch Screen); and the 
and 
shoulder buttons. Two new additions to the console are a Circle Pad 
located above the 
, which has been shifted downward, and the 
button, first used with the Wii console, used to access a HOME menu that is similar to that of the Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL. The console also has wireless connectivity, which is used to connect with other consoles via local play or StreetPass, or to the Internet to download expansions for the console or play with people from around the world, for example. Online expansions include friend lists, sharing game content with friends, paid downloadable content for games (an example is New Super Mario Bros. 2 having additional Coin Rush packs),[22] and firmware updates. The Nintendo 3DS and all of its models are backwards compatible with both Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi–enhanced games.
The stereoscopic 3D effect provided by the 3DS has been subject to concern among consumers, forcing Nintendo to place a 7+ label on the system and its game boxes, the first in Nintendo system history. The stereoscopic 3D effect may contribute to visual stress to children's developing eyes and may cause a variety of symptoms including fatigue, nausea, headaches, dizziness, and eyestrain.[23] Warnings are frequently scattered throughout the games themselves; for example, Super Mario 3D Land frequently advises the player, "Don't forget to take a break when you feel tired." To reduce disorientation from the 3D, the effect can be adjusted with the slider or even turned off altogether. Parents can disable 3D, preventing children from using it unless a passcode is provided. At a Nintendo World Store event near launch of the 3DS, Nintendo provided a warning saying that the 3DS's 3D mode should not be used by children six years and under. As a result, the employees at the event urged young children to play demos exclusively in 2D and even enforced this rule by having parents stick a special sticker featuring Toad on their children before allowing them to play.
On February 8, 2017, almost a month before the Nintendo Switch was released on March 3 of that year, it was announced that Nintendo has no plans for a successor to the Nintendo 3DS.[24] On September 17, 2020, Nintendo announced that it would no longer produce Nintendo 3DS consoles, with the option to view the family of systems removed from the company's site in favor of the redirect to the main page.[20] The Nintendo 3DS sold 75.94 million units,[25] with 15 million in the first year.[26] On February 27, 2021, Nintendo announced that it would no longer repair Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL consoles after March 31, 2021. However, on March 10, 2021, repairs ended early in Japan due to a shortage of parts.[27]
[edit]
StreetPass and SpotPass[edit]
StreetPass allows the console to wirelessly send and receive title data with other consoles within a certain range when it is in sleep mode. Up to twelve titles can have StreetPass activated at once. A notification light on the 3DS turns green to indicate when StreetPass data has been exchanged. The StreetPass Relay update allows for StreetPass data to be exchanged near official Nintendo Zone hotspots. One 3DS can StreetPass the same spot or same other 3DS once every eight hours. SpotPass also allows data exchange, but differs from StreetPass in that it requires an Internet connection to be used. A notification light on the 3DS turns blue to indicate when such data has been downloaded.
Super Mario games compatible with StreetPass[edit]
- Super Mario 3D Land
- Mario Kart 7
- Mario Tennis Open
- New Super Mario Bros. 2
- Mario Party: Island Tour
- Mario Golf: World Tour
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars
- Puzzle & Dragons: Super Mario Bros. Edition
- Rhythm Heaven Megamix
- Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games
- Super Mario Maker for Nintendo 3DS
- Poochy & Yoshi's Woolly World
Language support[edit]
The 3DS also features enhanced language accessibility. The system is the first Nintendo console to have Portuguese[A] and Russian system language settings and the first Nintendo handheld console to feature a Dutch setting. All these languages are included on the PAL version of the 3DS, and the Portuguese language is also included on the American version. Super Mario games also began being translated into these languages (except Brazilian Portuguese). These thirteen languages were available at launch:
- Dutch
- English (United Kingdom)
- English (United States)
- French (Canada)
- French (France)
- German
- Italian
- Japanese
- Portuguese (Brazil)
- Portuguese (Portugal)
- Russian
- Spanish (Latin America)
- Spanish (Spain)
Chinese (Simplified and Traditional) and Korean languages were eventually added as languages after the system released in these regions in 2012.
The 3DS is the first Nintendo system to be rated by PEGI and the ESRB (receiving a 7+ and E rating, respectively) due to the built-in games, including Face Raiders, AR Games, and StreetPass Mii Plaza containing 3D images which could cause damage to eyesight for anyone below the specified age groups.
Step Counter[edit]
The Step Counter works by using the 3DS's motion sensor to count the player's steps when the 3DS is closed. Every 100 steps gives the player one Play Coin, which can be used in the AR Games, StreetPass Mii Plaza, and compatible games (e.g. Animal Crossing: New Leaf or Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS). Players can receive a maximum of ten Play Coins per day and can hold a maximum of 300 on the 3DS system. Additionally, every step is logged in the Activity Log.
Themes[edit]
In the version 9.0.0-20 update for the 3DS released on October 6, 2014, brand new themes were added onto the system for the users to customize their HOME menu. Users were given 5 starting themes, each a different color, with additional themes available for purchase in the new Theme Shop. Additionally, since another theme related update, users are able to set a "shuffle" like mode via Theme Settings where the user can set any themes into up to ten slots, so each theme is set to their HOME Menu to switch out every time they power on the 3DS, put it into sleep mode or open a 3DS applet. With the discontinuation of digital purchases for Nintendo 3DS in March 2023, it is no longer possible to buy themes, with only a limited number of free themes being available. Other themes can still be downloaded by those who purchased them when they were available.
List of Super Mario themes[edit]
This section needs console improvement. Specifically:
- Add the American English descriptions
It has been requested that more images be uploaded for this section. Remove this notice only after the additional images have been added. Specifics: remaining themes
Names in small text are the British English names of the themes.
| Name | Image | Wallpaper type | Theme Shop description | Music | Release date[28] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spotlight: Mario Completely Mario |
|
Normal (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: This theme's ALL about Mario. The folders are even based on his clothes! If you love Mario, this one's for you. | Super Mario 3D World "Rainbow Run" |
October 11, 2014 |
| Spotlight: Luigi Completely Luigi |
|
Normal (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: This theme's ALL about Luigi. The folders are even based on his clothes! If you love Luigi, this one's for you. | October 11, 2014 | |
| Spotlight: Yoshi Completely Yoshi |
|
Normal (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: This theme's ALL about Yoshi. The folders look like Yoshi's eggs, and you hear Yoshi's voice when you exit Sleep Mode. | October 11, 2014 | |
| Spotlight: Peach Completely Peach |
|
Normal (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: This theme's ALL about Peach. The folders are even based on her clothes! If you love Peach, this one's for you. | October 11, 2014 | |
| Spotlight: Goomba Completely Goomba |
|
Normal (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: This theme's ALL about Goombas. It features custom SFX and earthy tones. If you love Goombas, this one's for you. | Super Mario Bros. 3 "Battle Theme" |
November 21, 2014 |
| Spinner Mario | 
|
Normal (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This Super Mario theme has folders accented with Super Stars. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Mario spin! | Super Mario Galaxy "Super Mario 2007" |
October 11, 2014 |
| Spinner Peach | 
|
Normal (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This Super Mario theme has folders accented with mushrooms. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Peach spin! | October 11, 2014 | |
| Spinner Bowser | 
|
Normal (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This Super Mario theme has folders accented with Bullet Bills. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Bowser spin! | October 11, 2014 | |
| Spinner Rosalina | 
|
Normal (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This Super Mario theme has folders accented with Super Stars. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Rosalina spin! | October 11, 2014 | |
| Mighty Mushrooms | 
|
Panoramic (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: This theme is packed with mushrooms from the Super Mario series. It features folders based on Super Mushrooms and green icons. | Super Mario 3D World "Toad House" |
October 11, 2014 |
| Super Mario: Blue Super Mario (Blue) |
|
Normal (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: Characters and items from Super Mario feature in this cool blue and red theme. Scroll the Touch Screen to see some of them move. | New Super Mario Bros. U "Toad House Music" |
|
| Super Mario: Neon Green Super Mario (Neon Green) |
|
Normal (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: Characters and items from Super Mario feature in this stylish neon theme. Scroll the Touch Screen to see some of them move. | ||
| Super Mario: Pastel Pink Super Mario (Pastel Pink) |
|
Normal (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: Characters and items from Super Mario decorate this cute pastel theme. Scroll the Touch Screen to see some of them move. | ||
| NES Jumping Mario | 
|
Panoramic (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This retro theme features folders, icons and sounds taken from the classic game. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Mario jump. | Super Mario Bros. "Ground Theme" |
October 11, 2014 |
| NES Fire Mario | 
|
Panoramic (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This retro theme features classic SFX, brick folders, and blue icons. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Mario throw fireballs. | Super Mario Bros. "Underground Theme" |
August 3, 2015 |
| NES Fire-Breathing Bowser | 
|
Panoramic (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This theme stars 8-bit Bowser with classic SFX, brick folders and icons. Scroll the Touch Screen to see him breathe fire. | Super Mario Bros. "Castle Theme" |
August 3, 2015 |
| NES Donkey Kong | 
|
Panoramic (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This retro theme features classic SFX, barrel folders, and blue icons. Scroll the Touch Screen to animate 8-bit DK. | Donkey Kong "25m Theme" |
|
| Super Mario: Wooden World Super Mario (Wooden World) |
|
Panoramic (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: This wooden theme is designed to resemble a Super Mario Bros. course, with characters and items standing on top of the icons. | New Super Mario Bros. U "Toad House Music" |
October 29, 2014 |
| Mario: Wood-Burned Characters Mario Characters (Branded Wood) |
|
Panoramic (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: Super Mario characters on a wooden background. The music's a special a cappella version of the Super Mario Bros. Ground Theme. | Super Mario Sunshine "Secret Course" |
October 11, 2014 |
| Mario: Felt-Stamped Characters Mario Characters (Stamped Felt) |
|
Panoramic (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: Super Mario characters on a felt background. The music's a special a cappella version of the Super Mario Bros. Ground Theme. | October 11, 2014 | |
| Mario Characters (Green Camouflage) | 
|
Panoramic (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: There are lots of different characters hidden in this theme's green camouflage-style background. Think you can find them all? | Super Mario Sunshine "Underground" |
November 21, 2014 |
| Mario Characters (Blue Camouflage) | 
|
Panoramic (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: There are lots of different characters hidden in this theme's blue camouflage-style background. Think you can find them all? | November 21, 2014 | |
| Mario Items | 
|
Panoramic (top) Normal (bottom) |
British English: This colourful theme celebrates classic items from the Super Mario series and features red icons and folders. | New Super Mario Bros. U "Toad House Music" |
October 29, 2014 |
| Mario Characters | 
|
Normal (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: Scroll the Touch Screen to compare the heights of characters in this star-studded line-up. Who do you think is tallest? | October 29, 2014 | |
| Mario's Mighty Mustache Mario's Mighty Moustache |
|
Normal (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This theme stars a famous moustache accompanied by its owner's M logo. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Mario adjust his 'stache. | Super Mario 3D World "Rainbow Run" |
November 21, 2014 |
| Luigi's Mighty Mustache Luigi's Mighty Moustache |
|
Normal (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This theme stars a famous moustache accompanied by its owner's L logo. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Luigi adjust his 'stache. | November 21, 2014 | |
| Bountiful Boos | 
|
Panoramic (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This theme stars the bashful Boo and includes ghostly icons, folders, and SFX. Scroll the Touch Screen to animate the lower Boo. | Super Mario World "Ghost House Music" |
November 21, 2014 |
| ? Block | 
|
Panoramic (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: Celebrate this iconic item with a yellow and black colour scheme, ? Block background, and ? Block folders and icons. | Super Mario World "Bonus Game" |
November 21, 2014 |
| Super Mario Bros.: Famicom Cartridge | 
|
Normal (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: This theme features the image from the original Japanese Famicom cartridge, naturally accompanied by THAT music from World 1-1. | Super Mario Bros. "Ground Theme" |
September 10, 2015 |
| A Merry Mario Holiday | 
|
Panoramic (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This festive theme is packed with holiday cheer and Mushroom Kingdom charm. Scroll the Touch Screen to animate the snow. | Super Mario 3D Land "Snow Course" |
December 9, 2015 |
| Mario: Purrfect Pals The Cat Mario Show |
|
Panoramic (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This theme is purrrfect for fans of the Cat Mario Show! Scroll the Touch Screen to animate the background. Can you find Luigi? | Super Mario 3D World "Super Bell Hill" |
October 29, 2014 |
| Yoshi's Springtime Siesta | 
|
Panoramic (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This happy theme features a relaxing tune and lots of colourful Yoshis. Scroll the Touch Screen to see the napper blow bubbles. | Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island "The Flower Garden" |
March 25, 2015 |
| Nintendo Consoles[a] | 
|
Panoramic (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: A theme with silhouettes of Nintendo consoles from the past and present. | "Nintendo Museum" | |
| Loads of Toads[a] | 
|
||||
| Club Nintendo Hanafuda[a] | 
|
"Elegance" | |||
| Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars | 
|
Panoramic (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: This cheerful theme features an assortment of Mini Marios. Scroll the Touch Screen to see a Mini Mario walk and collect coins. | Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars "Level Select" |
March 19, 2015 |
| Yoshi's Woolly World: Yoshis on Parade | 
|
Normal (top) Panoramic (bottom) |
British English: A theme inspired by Yoshi's Woolly World for Wii U. Scroll the Touch Screen to see lots of Yarn Yoshis and their friend Poochy! | Yoshi's Woolly World "Main Theme" |
August 19, 2015 |
| Mario's Winter Wonderland Happy Holidays with Mario & Luigi |
|
Normal (top) Animated (bottom) |
British English: The Mario Bros. wish you a happy winter holiday in this festive theme. Scroll the Touch Screen to see the scenery light up! | Super Mario Bros. "Ground Theme" (Holiday Version) |
December 2, 2015 |
| My Nintendo Theme 1: Mario | 
|
Normal (top) Normal (bottom) |
British English: Thank you for choosing this My Nintendo reward! A My Nintendo original theme featuring Mario. |
"Something for You" | |
| My Nintendo Theme 2: Donkey Kong | 
|
Normal (top) Normal (bottom) |
British English: Thank you for choosing this My Nintendo reward! A My Nintendo original theme featuring Donkey Kong. |
||
| Puzzle & Dragons Super Mario Bros. Edition | 
|
Normal (top) Normal (bottom) |
This bright, colorful theme features Mario and Luigi, plus their cute new friend Tamadra from the Puzzle & Dragons series. | ||
| Puzzle & Dragons International Championship | 
|
Normal (top) Normal (bottom) |
N/A (event-exclusive theme) | ||
| Mario' |