Nintendo 3DS: Difference between revisions

The 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 (see [[#AR Games|AR Games]]). The console, much like its predecessors, features the four {{button|3ds|A}}, {{button|3ds|B}}, {{button|3ds|X}}, and {{button|3ds|Y}} buttons; the {{button|3ds|start}} and {{button|3ds|select}} buttons (which are embedded below the Touch Screen); and the {{button|3ds|L}} and {{button|3ds|R}} shoulder buttons. Two new additions to the console are a Circle Pad {{button|3ds|Stick}} located above the {{button|3ds|Pad}}, which has been shifted downward, and the {{button|3ds|home}} button, first used with the [[Wii]] console, used to access a HOME menu that is similar to that of the [[Nintendo DSi]]. 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),<ref>[http://www.cubed3.com/news/14273 3DS To Feature Expanded Online; Achievements, Friend Lists]</ref> and firmware updates.

A Nintendo 3DS comes with a 2 GB {{wp|SD card}}, a Nintendo 3DS XL or Nintendo 2DS come with a 4 GB SDHC card,<ref>http://www.nintendo.com/2ds/features</ref> and a New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL or New Nintendo 2DS XL come with a 4 GB Micro SDHC Card. However, any SD or SDHC card can be used and with appropriate adaptors, if necessary and compatible.

The system is backwards compatible with both DS and DSi games. When in DS mode, the 3DS simulates a DSi instead of an original DS so any [[Nintendo DSi#DSi Enhanced Games|DSi enhanced games]] will be given additional features for them to utilize. As with the DSi and [[Nintendo DSi#Nintendo DSi XL|DSi XL]], Nintendo DS games that used the original DS's [[Game Boy Advance]] slot cannot make use of extensions, which the 3DS lacks. However, select Game Boy Advance games were released on the console's Virtual Console service on December 16, 2011, as part of the [[Virtual Console#Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program|Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program]], which allowed people who purchased a Nintendo 3DS before the aforementioned price drop to download twenty free games, 10 of which were from the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] (NES) and the other 10 from the Game Boy Advance. Despite the "Virtual Console" label, the GBA games are not emulated in software; instead, the 3DS interprets the code natively.{{ref needed}} This is the reason GBA games on the 3DS lack the ability to put the console in sleep mode or support Restore Points. The Game Boy Advance Games have not yet been released to the general public, and Nintendo has announced there are no plans to release them, either.

[[File:3DS XL Logo.svg|left]]The '''Nintendo 3DS XL''' ('''Nintendo 3DS LL''' in Japan and '''iQue 3DS XL''' in China) is the second version of the Nintendo 3DS handheld announced by [[Satoru Iwata]] in a ''Nintendo Direct'' video on June 22, 2012. Similarly to the DSi XL, the 3DS XL has larger screens: the upper measuring 124 mm (4.88 inches) and the lower measuring 106 mm (4.18 inches), both being 90% larger than the standard Nintendo 3DS screens, making it tied to the New Nintendo 3DS XL as the biggest screen on a Nintendo handheld so far. The resolution, however, is the same. The 3DS XL also has been given rounded corners and digital {{button|3ds|home}}, {{button|3ds|select}}, and {{button|3ds|start}} buttons instead of the embedded ones found on the Nintendo 3DS. The handheld also sports a single color job instead of the dual color job of its predecessor (black in the interior of the lid and a second main color overall), although it may also come with dual colors. Additionally, it is packaged with a 4 GB SD card, and the battery has been optimized to last longer. It lasts about 3.5 to six hours (283 to 485 mA) when playing 3DS games, compared to the three to five hours (260 to 433 mA) of play on the original version. The handheld was released in Japan and Europe on July 28, 2012, in North America on August 19, 2012, and in Oceania (bundled with an AC adapter) on August 23, 2012<ref>[http://www.aussie-nintendo.com/news/ac-adaptor-to-be-bundled-with-3ds-xl-in-aunz]</ref>. In Japan and Europe, the handheld does not come with a battery charger, but can use the original Nintendo 3DS/Nintendo DSi charger. The handheld has its own charger in North America,<ref name=ign3dxl>[http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/06/22/nintendo-reveals-3ds-xl IGN - Nintendo reveals 3ds Xl].</ref> but it does not include the charging cradle packaged with the original 3DS.

The '''Nintendo 2DS''' is the third version of the Nintendo 3DS handheld and is part of the Nintendo 3DS family<ref>http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/08/28/nintendo-announces-2ds</ref>. Like the rest of the Nintendo 3DS models, it can play all Nintendo 3DS games and most Nintendo DS games; however, unlike the rest of the Nintendo 3DS models, it cannot display 3D images (hence the name), but is more sturdy, that make the system friendly for younger children, and both screens are touch-sensitive without a hinge separating them, with the top screen protected by a layer of plastic<ref>http://www.gonintendo.com/?mode=viewstory&id=210991</ref>, while it features a tablet design rather than a clamshell design, making it the first handheld system since the original Game Boy Advance system to have a tablet design. The system's box includes a Nintendo 2DS, a Nintendo 2DS stylus, an SDHC Card, a Nintendo 3DS AC Adapter, and the six AR cards. It was released in North America, Europe, and Oceania on October 12th, 2013 at a price of $129.99 in the United States, €129.99 in Europe, and £129.99 in the United Kingdom in order to increase sales of upcoming 3DS games. The 2DS was released in Japan on February 27, 2016, at a cost of approximately 9,980 yen. Reception of the Nintendo 2DS has been mixed.{{ref needed}}

The '''New Nintendo 3DS''' and '''New Nintendo 3DS XL'''<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1cwg6mUhAg</ref> ('''New Nintendo 3DS LL''' in Japan), announced on August 28, 2014, were the first hardware upgrades for the Nintendo 3DS line of systems, similar to the Nintendo DSi. They were released on October 11, 2014 in Japan<ref>http://www.siliconera.com/2014/08/29/new-nintendo-3ds-new-nintendo-3ds-xl-announced-powerful/</ref>, and on November 21, 2014 in Oceania<ref name="NintendoDirectAus"></ref>, and in North America (XL model) and Europe on February 13, 2015. The original/smaller model released in North America on September 25, 2015.<ref>Sickr (August 29, 2014). [http://mynintendonews.com/2014/08/29/new-nintendo-3ds-console-coming-to-north-america-and-europe-in-2015/ New Nintendo 3DS Console Coming to North America and Europe in 2015]. My Nintendo News. Retrieved August 29, 2014.</ref> On January 6, 2015, selected European [[Club Nintendo (rewards program)|Club Nintendo]] owners were invited to buy New Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Edition, a special pre-release bundle of New Nintendo 3DS, for €199.99, with orders shipped as early as January 7, 2015.<ref>[http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2015/01/new_nintendo_3ds_ambassador_editions_already_in_the_hands_of_lucky_buyers New Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Editions Already In The Hands Of Lucky Buyers]. Nintendo Life. Retrieved January 7, 2015.</ref>

In addition to having a more powerful CPU, the New Nintendo 3DS features an improved 3D effect, using the system's gyroscope and cameras to track the location of the player's eyes to sustain the 3D effect. An NFC sensor is built-in under the bottom screen, allowing compatibility with the [[amiibo]] line of products without needing the stand peripheral. Two additional shoulder buttons (ZL and ZR) have been added, alongside the C Stick, a second smaller Circle Pad positioned above the {{button|3ds|A}}{{button|3ds|B}}{{button|3ds|X}}{{button|3ds|Y}}, which shares a similar function with the Circle Pad Pro when added to a standard Nintendo 3DS or 3DS XL. The {{button|3ds|START}} and {{button|3ds|SELECT}} buttons have been moved under the {{button|3ds|A}}{{button|3ds|B}}{{button|3ds|X}}{{button|3ds|Y}} buttons, similar to the [[Nintendo DS#Nintendo DS Lite|Nintendo DS Lite]] and DSi. In addition, the cartridge and stylus slots have been moved to the bottom of the handheld, and the SD card slot has been replaced by a microSD slot on the back of the system which can be accessed by removing the bottom cover.

The New Nintendo 3DS models also feature removable back covers on the backs of the top and bottom screens, which can be replaced with custom covers purchased separately. The New Nintendo 3DS also features some changes to the Internet application in that it can now play HTML5 videos. Japanese New Nintendo 3DS models have a web filter pre-activated which can only be removed by paying 30 yen, but the preactivated filter is absent on non-Japanese models.<ref>[http://www.vooks.net/no-internet-browser-filter-in-australian-new-nintendo-3ds-models/ No Internet Browser ‘filter’ in Australian New Nintendo 3DS models]. Vooks. Retrieved January 7, 2015.</ref> Certain titles, such as the port of ''{{wp|Xenoblade Chronicles}}'', are exclusive to the New Nintendo 3DS systems, and are incompatible with any of the older models.<ref>http://www.nintendo.co.jp/nintendo_direct/20140829/index.html</ref> [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES]] games including ''[[Super Mario World]]'' have also been released on the New Nintendo 3DS's Virtual Console service.

The '''New Nintendo 2DS XL''' ('''New Nintendo 2DS LL''' in Japan), announced on April 27, 2017, is a revision of the Nintendo 3DS released in Oceania on June 15, 2017<ref>Nintendo. (April 27, 2017). [http://www.nintendo.com.au/new-nintendo-2ds-xl-portable-system-to-launch-in-australia-new-zealand-on-june-15 New Nintendo 2DS XL portable system to launch in Australia & New Zealand on June 15!]. ''Nintendo.com.au''. Retrieved April 27, 2017.</ref>, Japan<ref>Nintendo. (April 27, 2017). [https://youtu.be/Pm2tcQuuYnA Newニンテンドー2DS LL 紹介映像]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved April 27, 2017.</ref> and South Korea<ref>http://www.nintendo.co.kr/PR/press_list.php?cPage1=1&cPage2=1&idx=264&press_div=P</ref> on July 13, 2017, and in Europe and North America on July 28, 2017<ref>Nintendo. (April 27, 2017). [https://youtu.be/q1qrM1UbTyU New Nintendo 2DS XL - Announcement Trailer]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved April 27, 2017.</ref><ref>Nintendo. (April 27, 2017). [https://youtu.be/3lxNHhgMuTg Introducing New Nintendo 2DS XL]. ''YouTube''. Retrieved April 27, 2017.</ref>. As the name implies, it shares the same clamshell design, size and enhanced CPU capabilities as the New Nintendo 3DS XL. As with the Nintendo 2DS, it cannot display images in 3D. The New Nintendo 2DS XL also includes the C-stick, ZL and ZR shoulder buttons in the same button layout, but, unlike the New Nintendo 3DS XL, the front-facing camera and microphone are now positioned on the hinge of the New Nintendo 2DS XL, like the [[Nintendo DSi]]. The New Nintendo 2DS XL was released in a Black + Turquoise color scheme in North America, and in two color schemes in Japan, Europe, and Oceania: Black + Turquoise, and White + Orange. The White + Orange color scheme was later released in North America on October 6, 2017<ref>Nintendo. (September 13, 2017). [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztMGTTAjsAQ Nintendo Direct 9.13.2017]. ''Youtube''. Retrieved September 13, 2017.</ref>. It ended production on September 17, 2020.