Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo began experimenting with stereoscopic 3D video game technology in the 1980s. The Famicom 3D System, an accessory consisting of liquid crystal shutter glasses, was Nintendo's first product that enabled stereoscopic 3D effects. Although few titles were released, Nintendo helped design one called Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally which was co-developed by Nintendo and HAL Laboratory and released in 1988. The Famicom 3D System failed to garner market interest and was never released outside Japan. Nintendo's second attempt with 3D development was the Virtual Boy designed by Gunpei Yokoi creator of the Game Boy handheld console Kid Icarus and popular Metroid video game. It was a portable table-top system consisting of separate handheld controller and goggles that used two tiny rapidly oscillating mirrors to achieve stereoscopic monochrome 3D. Released in 1995 the Virtual Boy sold fewer than a million units with only 22 compatible game titles released and was widely considered to be a commercial failure. Shigeru Miyamoto known for his work on popular game franchises such as Mario and The Legend of Zelda commented in a 2011 interview that he felt conflicted about Yokoi's decision to use wire-frame models for 3D and suggested that the product may not have been marketed correctly. The failure of the Virtual Boy left many at Nintendo doubting the viability of 3D gaming. Despite this Nintendo continued to investigate the incorporation of 3D technology into later products. The GameCube released in 2001 was also capable of displaying true stereoscopic 3D with an LCD attachment though only the launch title Luigi's Mansion was ever designed to utilize it. While a working internal prototype was created the add-on itself was never released due to its expensive cost leaving the feature unavailable outside of development. Nintendo later experimented with a 3D LCD during the development of the Game Boy Advance SP but the idea was shelved after it failed to achieve satisfactory results. Another attempt was made in preparation for a virtual navigation guide to be used on the Nintendo DS at Shigureden an interactive museum in Japan. Nintendo president Hiroshi Yamauchi encouraged additional 3D research in an effort to use the technology in the exhibition. Although the project fell short Nintendo was able to collect valuable research on liquid crystal which would later aid in the development of the Nintendo 3DS.
The Nintendo 3DS launched in Japan on the 26th of February 2011 followed by releases in Europe on March 25 North America on March 27 and Australia on March 31. The system quickly ran into slower-than-expected sales due to several factors. Most notably the 3DS's price of US$249.99 the highest ever for a Nintendo handheld deterred many consumers especially compared to the original Nintendo DS which launched at $150 in 2004. The compact design of the launch model also drew criticism as it proved uncomfortable for prolonged use by adults. Meanwhile the device's stereoscopic 3D effect though technologically impressive caused eye fatigue and came with a warning that it should not be used by children under six one of Nintendo's core demographics. Lastly the launch lineup lacked any flagship Nintendo franchises. In response Nintendo announced a major price cut on the 28th of July 2011 reducing the console's price by nearly a third to US$169.99 in North America and ¥18,900 in Japan. To appease early adopters Nintendo launched the 3DS Ambassador Program offering 20 free classic games to users who accessed the eShop before August 21. These included ten NES titles such as Super Mario Bros. The Legend of Zelda and Metroid as well as ten Game Boy Advance games including Mario Kart: Super Circuit The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap and WarioWare Inc.: Mega Microgames!. The 3DS expanded to new markets with its South Korean release on the 28th of April 2012 followed by launches in Hong Kong and Taiwan on the 28th of September 2012. Maxsoft distributed console to Singapore Malaysia Indonesia Philippines Thailand United Arab Emirates and Sunder Electronics to India.
Rumors of a larger 3DS began circulating in June 2012 fueled by a report from Japanese publication Nikkei which claimed the system would be unveiled at E3 2012. While Nintendo initially dismissed the report as speculative it officially announced the Nintendo 3DS XL on the 21st of June 2012 during a Nintendo Direct presentation. This new version featuring screens 90% larger than the original was released worldwide later that year providing a more comfortable option for extended play. The Nintendo 3DS XL (Nintendo 3DS LL in Japan) was released on the 28th of July 2012 in Japan priced at ¥18,900 and was available in Silver + Black Red + Black and White color variations. In Europe the system launched on the same day but in Silver + Black Blue + Black and Red + Black color variations. On August 19 the Nintendo 3DS XL launched in North America priced at US$199.99 and available in Blue + Black and Red + Black. On the 23rd of August 2012 Australia and New Zealand saw the launch of the new handheld priced at AU$249.95 and available in the same color variations as in Europe Silver + Black Blue + Black and Red + Black. The launch of the Nintendo 3DS XL coincided with the release of New Super Mario Bros. 2 the first Nintendo 3DS game to be available in both retail and downloadable versions. On the 20th of September 2012 the Nintendo 3DS XL launched in South Korea in Silver + Black Red + Black and White color variations. On the 28th of September 2012 the system launched in two other regions Hong Kong and Taiwan in Blue + Black and White color variations.
The Nintendo eShop is the Nintendo 3DS's online software distribution service. Launched in June 2011 the eShop provides downloadable retail and download-only Nintendo 3DS titles Virtual Console titles and various applications and videos. It also allows users to purchase downloadable content (DLC) and automatically download patches for both physical and downloadable games. All content obtained from Nintendo eShop is attached to a Nintendo Network ID but can only be used in one system. Background downloading is possible via SpotPass while playing games or in sleep mode. Up to ten downloads can be queued at a time and their status can be checked on the Home Menu. Certain Latin American and Caribbean countries which feature a more limited eShop had their systems closed in July 2020. Countries in the region with the full eShop and the rest of the world were unaffected. It was later announced on the 15th of February 2022 that support for Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS for the rest of the world would be discontinued in late March 2023 this was confirmed to be the 27th of March 2023 with the ability to add credit cards ceasing by the 23rd of May 2022 followed by the inability to add funds by the 29th of August 2022. Miiverse was an integrated social networking service which allowed players to interact and share their gaming experiences through their personal Mii characters. It was originally launched on Wii U and was launched on the Nintendo 3DS on the 11th of December 2013 via a firmware update. Its functionality was similar to the Wii U version albeit without the private messaging feature and required a Nintendo Network ID. The service was moderated through software filtering as well as a human resource team in order to ensure that the content shared by users was appropriate and that no spoilers were shared. It was also possible to post screenshots from certain games to social networking websites such as Twitter Tumblr and/or Facebook via the Nintendo 3DS Image Share service. On the 7th of November 2017 the Miiverse servers closed down for the 3DS and the Wii U.
As of the 30th of September 2022 the Nintendo 3DS family of systems combined have sold 75.94 million units and games for the systems have sold 392.14 million units. The most successful game Mario Kart 7 has sold 18.99 million units worldwide. Prior to its launch Amazon UK announced that the Nintendo 3DS was their most pre-ordered video game system ever. Nintendo of America announced that the number of pre-orders were double the number of pre-orders for the Wii. The system launched in Japan on the 26th of February 2011 and sold its entire allotment of 400,000 Nintendo 3DS units during its release amid reports of major queues outside retailers and pre-order sellouts. On the 25th of March 2011 the system launched in Europe selling 303,000 units during its first two days of its release. In the UK 113,000 3DS units were sold during its opening weekend making it Nintendo's most successful hardware launch in the country to this day. According to the NPD Group Nintendo sold just under 500,000 Nintendo 3DS units during the month of March 2011 in the US with 440,000 Nintendo 3DS units sold in its first week of release. As of the 31st of March 2011 the 3DS had sold 3.61 million units short of the 4 million Nintendo projected. Following the system's price cut of almost one third of its original price by the second quarter of 2011 sales saw an increase of more than 260 percent during the comparable 19-day time period in July.
Nintendo has publicly stated that the 3D mode of the Nintendo 3DS is not intended for use by children ages six and younger citing possible harm to their vision. Nintendo suggests that younger players use the device's 2D mode instead although the American Optometric Association has assured parents that 3D gaming in moderation would not be harmful for children. Additionally the 3DS may help in screening children before the age of 6 who have depth related vision problems according to Dr. Michael Duenas associate director for health sciences and policy for the American Optometric Association and Dr. Joe Ellis the president of the optometrists' association. However Dr. David Hunter a pediatric ophthalmologist affiliated with the American Academy of Ophthalmology believes that it is largely speculative whether a child who has problems perceiving depth in real life would react to a 3DS in any way that parents would recognize as indicating any problems with depth perception. A common complaint was the 3DS's battery life; Engadget reported to get 3 hours of battery life from the system while IGN reported 2 to 4.5 hours of play. The original 3DS weighs about 270 grams (9.5 oz) while the 3DS XL weighs about 315 grams (11.1 oz). When opened the original model measures 134 mm x 74.9 mm x 14.9 mm compared with 148.5 mm x 84.6 mm x 18.4 mm for the XL.
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Common questions
When was the Nintendo 3DS first released in Japan?
The Nintendo 3DS launched in Japan on the 26th of February 2011. It subsequently released in Europe on March 25, North America on March 27, and Australia on March 31.
Why did the original Nintendo 3DS struggle with sales after launch?
The Nintendo 3DS struggled due to its high price of US$249.99 which deterred consumers compared to the original Nintendo DS. The device also caused eye fatigue and had an uncomfortable design for prolonged use by adults.
What is the total number of units sold by the Nintendo 3DS family as of September 2022?
As of the 30th of September 2022 the Nintendo 3DS family combined have sold 75.94 million units. Games for the systems have sold 392.14 million units during that same period.
How long does the battery last on the original Nintendo 3DS model?
Engadget reported the system provides 3 hours of battery life while IGN reported between 2 to 4.5 hours of play time. This duration varies based on usage conditions and settings.
When will support for the Nintendo eShop end for the rest of the world?
Support for the Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS in the rest of the world was discontinued on the 27th of March 2023. Users could no longer add credit cards after the 23rd of May 2022 or add funds after the 29th of August 2022.