Jump to content

Nintendo 3DS: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
markup repair
Line 84: Line 84:


On January 30, 2012 Nintendo announced that the Pearl Pink Nintendo 3DS would release as a stand-alone item in the United States on February 10 for $169.99.<ref>http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Pearl-Pink-3DS-Arriving-February-39072.html Pearl Pink 3DS Arriving In February</ref>
On January 30, 2012 Nintendo announced that the Pearl Pink Nintendo 3DS would release as a stand-alone item in the United States on February 10 for $169.99.<ref>http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Pearl-Pink-3DS-Arriving-February-39072.html Pearl Pink 3DS Arriving In February</ref>
On March 1 2012, Nintendo of Japan announced that a Cobalt Blue 3DS would be releasing in Japan on March 22.<ref>{{cite\web\url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/29422| title=Cobalt Blue 3DS Coming to Japan |date=|01 March 2012 |accessdate=2012-03-01}}</ref>
On March 1 2012, Nintendo of Japan announced that a Cobalt Blue 3DS would be releasing in Japan on March 22.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/29422 |title=Cobalt Blue 3DS Coming to Japan |date=1 March 2012 |accessdate=2012-03-01}}</ref>


== Hardware ==
== Hardware ==

Revision as of 01:47, 2 March 2012

"3ds" redirects here. For other uses, see 3ds (disambiguation).
Nintendo 3DS
The Nintendo 3DS logo
An open aqua-blue Nintendo 3DS system.
DeveloperNintendo
ManufacturerNintendo, Foxconn
TypeHandheld game console
GenerationEighth generation[citation needed]
Release date
Units shippedWorldwide: 15.03 million (as of December 31, 2011)[5]
MediaNintendo 3DS, DS and DSi Game Cards
StorageIncluded 2 GB SD card
1.5 GB internal flash memory
Cartridge save
GraphicsDigital Media Professionals PICA200 GPU[6][7]
Connectivity2.4 GHz Wi-Fi
IR[8]
Online servicesNintendo Wi-Fi Connection, Nintendo eShop, Nintendo Network
Best-selling gameSuper Mario 3D Land (5.03 million units)[9]
Backward
compatibility		Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
PredecessorNintendo DS series (DS, DS Lite, DSi, and DSi XL)
RelatedFamicom 3D System
Virtual Boy

The Nintendo 3DS (ニンテンドー3DS, Nintendō Surī Dīesu, abbreviated to 3DS) is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic 3D effects without the use of 3D glasses or any additional accessories.[10] The Nintendo 3DS features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software.[10] Announcing the device in March 2010, Nintendo officially unveiled it at E3 2010,[10][11] with the company inviting attendees to use demonstration units.[12] The console succeeds the Nintendo DS series of handheld systems[10] and primarily competes with Sony's PlayStation Portable[13] and the newly released PlayStation Vita.[14]

The Nintendo 3DS was released in Japan on February 26, 2011; in Europe on March 25, 2011; in North America on March 27, 2011;[15][16] and in Australia on March 31, 2011. On July 28, 2011, Nintendo announced a major price drop starting August 12. In addition, consumers who bought the system at its original price gained access to ten free Nintendo Entertainment System games starting September 1, 2011 and 10 free Game Boy Advance games starting December 16, 2011, from the Nintendo eShop.[17]

History

Nintendo had been experimenting with 3D technology since the late 1980s. Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally was the first game developed by Nintendo to take advantage of the technology, and utilized special goggles with a liquid crystal shutter in order to make images appear to pop out of the screen, giving them a 3D effect.[18] In 1995, Gunpei Yokoi, the creator of the Game Boy, began developing the Virtual Boy. The system was released much earlier than intended, so that Nintendo could allocate more resources to the then-Ultra 64, and the Virtual Boy went on to become a commercial failure for Nintendo.[19][20][21] Shigeru Miyamoto was dissatisfied with the wire-frame models the console displayed and practicality of the system, feeling that the concept was ahead of its time.[22]

The failure of the Virtual Boy left many at Nintendo doubting the viability of 3D gaming.[23] Despite this, Nintendo continued to investigate incorporating 3D technology into other products. The Nintendo GameCube, released in 2001, is Nintendo's second 3D capable system.[24] Every GameCube system produced features the capability to display true stereoscopic 3D, but only the launch title Luigi's Mansion was designed to utilise the technology. As 3D displays were not widespread at the time and producing a compatible display was deemed prohibitively expensive to consumers, this functionality was never enabled.[25]

Nintendo next attempted putting a display later used for the Nintendo 3DS into a Game Boy Advance SP.[26] However, the resolution for such a display was not sharp and precise enough at the time, and Nintendo was not satisfied with the experiment.[27] With the development of the Nintendo DS and at the insistence of Hiroshi Yamauchi, the company investigated achieving 3D visuals at an exhibition at Shigureden, a theme park.[28] Visitors navigate around the park with the aid of guide software on a Nintendo DS system. Although nothing was produced, Nintendo was able to conduct extensive research and develop the methodology that was later used to develop the Nintendo 3DS.[29]

Background

Although it had been discussed before then, speculation about a true successor to the Nintendo DS series began to ramp up in late 2009. In mid-October, tech tabloid Bright Side of News reported that graphics processing unit (GPU) developer Nvidia had won the microprocessor contract for the device with its Nvidia Tegra system-on-a-chip series.[30] Later that month, speaking about the future for Nintendo's portable consoles, company president Satoru Iwata mentioned that while mobile connectivity via subscription mobile broadband "doesn't fit Nintendo customers," he was interested in exploring an option similar to the Whispernet service for the Amazon Kindle, in which users are not charged for the mobile connectivity, and the costs are cross-subsidized.[31]

Though Nintendo has expressed interest in including motion-sensing capabilities in its handhelds since before the release of the original Nintendo DS,[32] in January 2010 an alleged comment by Satoru Iwata from an interview with Asahi Shimbun led to a minor dispute between the publication and Nintendo over whether Iwata confirmed that the successor to the Nintendo DS would incorporate a motion sensor.[33] In February 2010, video gaming website Computer and Video Games reported that a select "handful" of Japanese developers were in possession of software development kits for the Nintendo DS successor, with The Pokémon Company given special priority. According to their insider at an unspecified third-party development studio, the hardware features a "tilt" function that is similar to that of the iPhone, "but does a lot more."[34]

On March 23, 2010, Nintendo officially announced the Nintendo 3DS handheld console.[10] According to industry analysts, the timing of Nintendo's original announcement, which had drawn attention away from the launch of the company's still-new Nintendo DSi XL handheld, was likely intended to preempt impending news leaks about the product by the Japanese press.[35] In April 2010, a picture of a possible development build of the internal components of the 3DS was released as part of a U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing by Mitsumi.[36] An analysis of the image showed that it was likely genuine as it featured components known to be used in the Nintendo DS line along with features of the 3DS that had not been announced like a 5:3 top screen, and a control nub similar to those used in Sony PSP systems.[37]

E3 2010 Unveiling

The E3 unveiling involved an elaborate stage with moving set pieces.

In June 2010, video gaming website IGN reported that according to "several developers who have experienced 3DS in its current form", the system possesses processing power that "far exceed[s] the Nintendo Wii" and with 3D shaders, they could make games that "look close to current generation visuals on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3". They also cited "several developer sources" as saying that the system does not use the Nvidia Tegra mobile chipset.[38]

The system was officially revealed at Nintendo's conference at E3 2010 on June 15, 2010. The first game revealed was Kid Icarus: Uprising, with several other titles from third parties also announced, including Square Enix with Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy, Konami with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 3D, Warner Bros. Interactive with a Batman title, Ubisoft with Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy, Capcom with Resident Evil Revelations and Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, and Activision with DJ Hero. Other Nintendo titles were later revealed after the conference, such as Mario Kart 7, Animal Crossing, and remakes of Star Fox 64[39] and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.[40] The 3DS design shown at E3 was almost final, but subject to minor changes.[41]

Pre-launch events

On September 29, 2010, Nintendo of Japan announced the release date of the Nintendo 3DS in Japan to be on February 26, 2011. Furthermore, several additional features were announced: the inclusion of a Mii Maker (similar to the Mii Channel on the Wii), Virtual Console (including Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and "classic games" in 3D), a cradle for recharging the system's battery, multitasking, several included augmented reality games, an included 2 gigabyte SD card, and stored game data, as well as the final names for the 3DS tag modes, StreetPass and SpotPass collectively. The colors available at launch were revealed to be Aqua Blue and Cosmo Black, and the launch price in Japan was revealed to be ¥25,000.[42] The final physical design was also revealed at this event.[43]

On January 19, 2011, Nintendo held two simultaneous press conferences in Amsterdam and New York City, where they revealed all of the features of the Nintendo 3DS.[44] In North America, the release date was confirmed as March 27, 2011 with a retail price of $249.99. In Europe, the release date was announced as March 25, 2011, though Nintendo said that pricing would be up to retailers. Most retailers have priced the handheld between £219.99 and £229.99,[45] though some retailers, such as Amazon, have lowered the price following Sony's announcement of the PSP's successor on January 26, 2011,[46] with some retailers pricing the handheld at around £200 as of February 2011.[47]

In February 2011, Nintendo held four hands-on events in the UK named "Believe Your Eyes". February 5 and 6 saw simultaneous events in London and Manchester, while the 12th and 13th saw events in Glasgow and Bristol. Invitations to the events were offered first to Club Nintendo members, then later to members of the public via an online registration form.[48] Guests watched two brief performances and trailers, then were given time to play a selection of games on 3DS devices. Attendees were then allowed into a second room, containing further games to play (mainly augmented reality-based) and in-device videos.[49]

In March, Nintendo held a few events in Australia at selected Westfield stores for people try out the console, with a number of demos available.

Release

Nintendo sold its entire allotment of 400,000 Nintendo 3DS units during its February 2011 release in Japan amid reports of lines and pre-order sellouts.[50] The 3DS sold 374,764 units during the launch weekend of 26 February.[51] Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle was the best selling 3DS launch title, of which 119,591 copies were sold at launch, and it took third spot of the best selling title along with other system titles.[51]

Nintendo announced that first day sales for the Nintendo 3DS in the US were the largest of any Nintendo handheld device in history.[52] According to the NPD Group, Nintendo sold just under 500,000 Nintendo 3DS units during the month of March 2011 in the US.[53] 440,000 Nintendo 3DS units were sold in its first week of release.[54]

In Europe, Nintendo sold 303,000 3DS 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.[55]

As of March 31, 2011 the 3DS has sold 3.61 million units, short of the 4 million Nintendo was expecting.[56]

Reports show that raw material costs for the Nintendo 3DS amount to US$101.[57]

On July 14, 2011 a "Flare Red" Nintendo 3DS was released in Japan.[58] In North America, the "Flare Red" version was released on September 9, 2011 under the name "Flame Red" to coincide with the release of Star Fox 64 3D.[58] "Misty Pink"[59] and "Ice White"[60] 3DS models have also both been announced. In Australia "Flame Red" was released on September 22, 2011, "Lavender Pink" was released on November 17, 2011 and a limited edition Zelda 25th anniversary 3DS released on December 1, 2011.[61][62] In Europe "Ice White" was bundled with Super Mario 3D Land and "Misty Pink" was bundled with Nintendogs + Cats, both released on November 18, 2011.[63]

On July 28, 2011, Nintendo announced the Nintendo 3DS would be getting a price cut from $250 to $169.99 in North America, €250 to €169.99 in Europe, 25,000 yen to 15,000 yen in Japan, and $349.99 to $250 in Australia.[64]

On January 30, 2012 Nintendo announced that the Pearl Pink Nintendo 3DS would release as a stand-alone item in the United States on February 10 for $169.99.[65] On March 1 2012, Nintendo of Japan announced that a Cobalt Blue 3DS would be releasing in Japan on March 22.[66]

Hardware

The Nintendo 3DS is based on a custom PICA200 graphics processor from a Japanese start-up Digital Media Professionals (DMP).[67] It has two screens; the top screen is a 3.53 in (90 mm) 5:3 3D screen with a resolution of 800×240 pixels (400×240 pixels per eye, WQVGA) that is able to produce an autostereoscopic three-dimensional effect (one without 3D glasses) using a parallax barrier display, while the bottom screen is a 3.02 in (77 mm) 4:3 non-3D resistive touch panel with a resolution of 320×240 pixels (QVGA).[68] The 3DS weighs approximately 230 grams (8.1 oz) and, when closed, is 134 mm (5.3 in) wide, 74 mm (2.9 in) broad, and 21 mm (0.83 in) thick.[68]

The system features several additions to the design of the original DS, including a slider on the side of the device that adjusts the intensity of the 3D effect, a round nub analog input called the "Circle Pad", an accelerometer, and a gyroscope. The 3DS has two cameras on the outside of the device, capable of taking 3D photos and capturing 3D video, as well as a camera positioned above the top screen on the inside of the device which faces the player, capable of taking 2D photos and capturing 2D video; all cameras have a resolution of 640×480 pixels (0.3 megapixels). The system supports a 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g Wi-Fi connectivity with enhanced security WPA2.[69]

At launch, the Nintendo 3DS cards hold up to 2GB of game data and look almost exactly the same as those of the current DS. However, there is a small tab jutting out on the one side, which prevents 3DS cards from being inserted into a Nintendo DS.[70]

On the issue of piracy, game developer THQ claims that the Nintendo 3DS features sophisticated anti-piracy technology which Nintendo believes is able to significantly curb video game piracy, which had increasingly depressed the handheld market with the proliferation of cheap flash memory and the rise in file sharing.[71]

The system comes in color variations "Aqua Blue" and "Cosmos Black", as well as "Flame Red" (named "Metallic Red" in Europe), on July 14, 2011 in Japan, September 9, 2011 in North America[citation needed] and September 22, 2011 in Australia. Another color is the "Misty Pink" color ("Coral Pink" in Europe), released on October 20, 2011 in Japan.[59] On October 6, 2011 a fifth color was announced - the "Ice White" edition was released in Japan on November 3, 2011 and released in Europe on December 2 bundled along with 'Super Mario 3D Land'.[72]

Template:3DS vs DS series

Features

Cameras

The handheld features three cameras: a single camera on the front/inside of the system that can capture standard 2D images and two rear facing cameras on the back/outside of the system which can be used together to capture 3D images. These photos can be edited with various effects such as props, 3D depth and colors. On December 6, 2011, a system update was released which allows players to take up to ten minutes of 3D video footage. In addition to the normal mode, which is the only footage type that allows sound,[73] there are three types of footage that a player can take: stop motion, interval (a time lapse effect), and montage. The stop motion, interval, and montage modes still only allow a single video to be 10 minutes long.

Activity Log

The Activity Log tracks game play and keeps a record of which games have been played and for how long, as well as physical activity, and counting every step taken while carrying a 3DS. The feature encourages walking more every day to earn Play Coins, at a max of 10 each day to a total of 300, which can be used with compatible games and applications to acquire special content and a variety of other benefits. Play Coins cannot be used in the Nintendo eShop. The user can use them in the Streetpass Mii Plaza to get heroes in Find Mii and new puzzle pieces. They can also be used in AR Games once it is unlocked for additional blocks which include the shop.[74][75]

Augmented reality

"Target Shooting" augmented reality tech demo at E3 2010.

Several augmented reality games, collectively titled AR Games are included on the 3DS with 6 paper cards that interact with the games. By scanning the QR codes shown on certain cards, real time graphics are augmented onto live footage. Aside from AR Games, future titles, such as Kid Icarus: Uprising, will include AR Cards which use these features.[42]

See also: List of AR cards

Backward compatibility

In addition to its own software, the Nintendo 3DS is backward compatible with Nintendo DS software, including DSi software. However, like the Nintendo DSi, the Nintendo 3DS is incompatible with DS software that requires the use of the Game Boy Advance port. Nintendo DS and DSi software cannot be played with 3D visuals on the 3DS. The original DS resolutions are displayed in a scaled and stretched fashion because the resolutions of the 3DS screens are larger than those of the DS. However, if the user holds down the START or SELECT buttons upon launching the DS software, the displays will be at the DS's native resolution, albeit smaller with black borders.[76][77]

Virtual Console service

It was announced at the Nintendo of Japan press event on September 29, 2010 that the 3DS will have a Virtual Console Service with Game Boy, Game Boy Color games, as well as "classic" games in 3D. At the 2011 GDC Nintendo announced that TurboGrafx 16, and Game Gear games would be available for Virtual Console.[78] Purchases are made through the Nintendo eShop using a cash-based system instead of a points-based system as used for the Wii and DSi.[79] It was released on June 6 in North America and June 7, 2011 in Europe[citation needed] as part of a system update.[80]

StreetPass and SpotPass Mode

The system supports multiplayer gameplay via a local wireless connection or over the Internet. Expanding upon the connectivity of the Nintendo DS, the Nintendo 3DS features an "always on" background connectivity system that trademarks suggested was named "CrossPass",[81] which can automatically seek and connect to wireless network nodes such as Wi-Fi hotspots, sending and downloading information in the background while in sleep mode or while playing a game. In Nintendo's September 29 conference, the confirmed Western names of the SpotPass Tag Mode service would be StreetPass and SpotPass, with SpotPass being the ability for the 3DS to seek Wi-Fi signals and automatically download content while in sleep mode and StreetPass being the passive communication between 3DS systems held by users, an example being the sharing of Mii avatars.[82]

During the 2011 Game Developers Conference, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime announced that Nintendo has partnered with AT&T to provide free access to AT&T hotspots via the Nintendo 3DS. Users will be able to connect to these hotspots in late May.[83]

The background connectivity allows users to exchange software content regardless of what software is currently in the console. Sharing content is stored in a "data slot" in the console. Using this data slot, Nintendo 3DS users can readily share and exchange content for multiple games at the same time, whenever they are connected, even when playing unrelated games.[84] Using the console's background connectivity, a Nintendo 3DS in StreetPass Mode can automatically discover other 3DS units within range, establish a connection, and exchange content for mutually played games, all transparently and without requiring any user input, even when the console is dormant. For example, in Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, if the user passes someone with the same software, they will initiate a battle to collect trophies from each other.[85]

It can be customized to fit the user's preferences, including opting out of it altogether for selected software.[86] One application being considered is functionality to "automatically acquire magazine and newspaper articles", similar to networked e-book reader applications.[87] Other improvements to online functionality include how Friend Codes are implemented, with only one code necessary for each console, as opposed to the DS and Wii where individual Friend Codes are required for each piece of software.[88]

Certain hotspots use the SpotPass to send a channel called "Nintendo Zone". In the Nintendo Zone app users can see game trailers, game screenshots, and information on games. After the player leave the hotspot the app stays.

A successor to Nintendo DS's PictoChat application for the Nintendo 3DS has been announced by Nintendo via a streaming conference on October 21, 2011. The successor is called Swapnote (in North America) or Nintendo Letter Box (in Europe), and it became available as a free download in December 2011. This application allows users to send 3D pictures, sound, and scribbled messages to registered friends via either StreetPass or SpotPass.[89]

Video content

The system also has 3D movie and video playback capability. Nintendo has made deals with Warner Bros, Disney, and DreamWorks to deliver 3D movies.[90] Trailers for DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon, Warner Bros' Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, and Disney's film Tangled were shown on the 3DS during the E3 Expo.[91] On September 29, 2010, Nintendo of Japan announced that it will be partnering with Fuji TV and other Japanese broadcasters to distribute free 3D videos to Japanese Nintendo 3DS owners.[92][93] On January 19, 2011, Nintendo of Europe announced at their press conference that they will be partnering with EuroSport and Sky 3D to bring content to the Nintendo 3DS at a later date in 2011. Richard Goleszowski is also locked to bring exclusive 3D episodes of Shaun the Sheep to European Nintendo 3DS market by the end of the year. As part of an initial firmware update for the system, Nintendo 3DS systems in North America include the 3D version of the music video for "White Knuckles" from OK Go.[94] The first film to be released for the 3DS is Tekken: Blood Vengeance, which will be included with Tekken 3D: Prime Edition.[95]

Nintendo Video launched in Australia and Europe on July 13, 2011, initial videos included Oscar's Oasis and Magic Tricks for your Nintendo 3DS.[96][97] It launched in North America on July 22, with the initial videos consisted of two short films (Sunday Jog and Dinosaur Office), a 3D trailer for Captain America: The First Avenger and an introduction to Nintendo Video. Videos are expected to be pushed to the service each week, with the content ranging from different video genres, 3D movie trailers, 3D music videos and much more.[98]

Netflix streaming video service was released on the Nintendo 3DS in North America on July 14, 2011.[99]

The December update added the ability to record up to 10 minutes of 3D video[100] and stop motion animation.[101]

Hulu Plus is also going to be released on the Nintendo 3DS.[102]

Internet browser

The Nintendo 3DS Internet Browser was made available in system update 2.0.0 on June 6 (NA),and June 7 (AUS,JP and EP) 2011.[80]

Mii

Miis are available on the system. Mii Maker will help users create a new Mii or import an existing Mii from the Wii, though 3DS-created Miis cannot be exported back to the Wii due to additional character parts. Mii Maker also allows users to create a Mii from a photo taken by one of the cameras. Miis can also be loaded by capturing special QR codes with one of the cameras. There is also a StreetPass Mii Plaza to house all the Miis the player has gathered in StreetPass or SpotPass Mode.

Circle Pad Pro

Pictures of the device first appeared in Famitsu where it explains that the add-on will add a second analog joystick and extra set of shoulder buttons and will be bundled with Monster Hunter Tri G. It will also include a black wrist strap similar to the Wii.[103][104] The first game to support it was Monster Hunter Tri G in Japan and Resident Evil: Revelations in Europe and North America. Other titles announced to be compatible with the slide pad are Ace Combat 3D(Japan version only), Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance and Dynasty Warriors VS.[105][106]

The Circle Pad Pro was released in Japan on December 10, 2011 and January 27 in Europe. It was later released in Australia on February 2, 2012 and in North America on February 7, 2012.[107]

Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program

In response to lower than anticipated sales figures, Nintendo cut the price of the 3DS worldwide by almost a third in August 2011.[108][109] In addition, the company introduced the "Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors Program", through which existing 3DS owners were able to download ten NES games and ten Game Boy Advance games at no extra cost.[108][110]

The 10 NES Virtual Console games are as follows:

The 10 Game Boy Advance games are as follows:

Possible health risks

Nintendo has publicly stated that the 3D mode of the 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,[111] although the American Optometric Association has assured parents that 3D gaming in moderation would not be harmful for children.[112] 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.[113] Although 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.[113] Nintendo's vague warning, that specialists believe "there is a possibility that 3-D images which send different images to the left and right eye could affect the development of vision in small children," was not specifically backed up by any scientific evidence, leading Duenas to believe it is motivated by preventing possible liability rather than safeguarding against realistic harm.[113]

Nintendo has stated that a parental control involving a PIN will allow parents to disable autostereoscopic effects.[114] Playing games in 3D has been suspected of causing headaches among some gamers.[115] The dizziness experienced by some users may be explained by the headaches that watchers of 3D movies have similarly experienced, which is believed to be due to confusion caused by a lack of visual cues that humans use to perceive depth in their everyday environment.[113]

Reception

The Nintendo 3DS hardware received positive reviews at launch. IGN called its hardware design a "natural evolution of the Nintendo DSi system."[116] CNET praised the device's 3D effect, while IGN called it "impressively sharp and clean", and impressively superior to its predecessors,[117][118] although it was noted that the 3D effect only worked if the system was held at the right distance and angle.[118][119] A common complaint was the 3DS's battery life; Engadget reported to get 3 hours of battery life from the system,[119] while IGN reported 2 to 4.5 hours of play. A third-party battery that is said to last around 6 hours is also available.[118]

Sales

Life-to-date number of 3DS units shipped (in millions)
Date Japan America Other Total
2011-03-31 1.06 1.32 1.23 3.61
2011-06-30[120] 1.27 1.43 1.63 4.32
2011-09-30[121] 2.13 2.13 2.42 6.68
2011-12-31[5] 4.66 5.47 4.91 16.03

Prior to its launch, Amazon UK announced that the system was their most pre-ordered video game system ever.[122] Nintendo of America announced that the number of Nintendo 3DS pre-orders were double the number of pre-orders for the Wii.[123] The 3DS is also the fastest selling console in Australia, with 200,000 units sold through 37 weeks of availability. The 3DS overtook sales of all other consoles, handheld and home, to claim this record.[124]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Supplementary Information about Earnings Release" (PDF). Nintendo. October 29, 2010. p. 9. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  2. ^ Harris, Craig (September 28, 2010). "Nintendo Conference 2010 Details". IGN.
  3. ^ Kaluszka, Aaron (January 19, 2011). "3DS North American Price, Date, Colors Set". Nintendo World Report.
  4. ^ Nick Vuckovic (February 8, 2011). "Nintendo 3DS launches in Australia on March 31st for $349". Vooks.net. Retrieved 2011-02-08.
  5. ^ a b "Consolidated Sales Transition by Region" (PDF). Nintendo. 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
  6. ^ Yam, Marcus (June 22, 2010). "DMP's Pica200 GPU is Behind Nintendo 3DS". Tom's Guide.
  7. ^ Ishaan (June 21, 2010). "This Is What's Powering The 3DS' Graphics". Siliconera. Retrieved 2010-08-05. And so, we finally know who's providing the graphics chip for the Nintendo 3DS.
  8. ^ Nintendo 3DS teardown iFixit
  9. ^ Newton, James (2012-01-27). "Super Mario 3D Land is 3DS's First 5 Million Seller - 3DS News @ Nintendo Life". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Launch of New Portable Game Machine" (PDF) (Press release). Minami-ku, Kyoto: Nintendo. March 23, 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
  11. ^ Tabuchi, Hiroko (March 23, 2010). "Nintendo to Make 3-D Version of Its DSi Handheld Game". Archived from the original on 2010-01-16. Retrieved 2010-04-24. It takes place June 15~17, 2010, at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
  12. ^ Tabuchi, Hiroko (March 23, 2010). "Nintendo to Make 3-D Version of Its DS Handheld Game". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2010-04-04. 'We wanted to give the gaming industry a head's up about what to expect from Nintendo at E3,' said Ken Toyoda, chief spokesman at Nintendo. 'We'll invite people to play with the new device then.'
  13. ^ Alexander, Leigh (January 15, 2010). "Analyst: DS Successor To Hit In Next 15 Months?". Gamasutra. Think Services. Retrieved 2010-04-04. In the year 2010, Nintendo's continuing face-off against the PSP seems less relevant than the overall sea change in the portable market brought about by the explosive iPhone.
  14. ^ "Nintendo 3DS vs. PS Vita: Handheld Wars, The Next Generation". IndustryGamers. 2011-09-16. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  15. ^ "Nintendo's 3DS Hits the U.S. On March 27 for $249.99". Kotaku.
  16. ^ "Nintendo's 3DS Hits Europe On March 25". Kotaku.
  17. ^ "What Do You Think About Nintendo's Big 3DS Announcement?". IGN DS. IGN. July 28, 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-28. In an astounding and unexpected set of announcements, Nintendo took a huge leap in righting the wrongs of the 3DS' shaky launch. The system, which released in the US on March 27 with a hefty $250 dollar price tag, will see a massive price cut to $170 come August 12.
  18. ^ "Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS". Retrieved 2011-01-12. Miyamoto: I suppose so. To go way back, I even made a 3D Famicom game on disk that you played wearing goggles. We made that with you, Iwata-san. Iwata: Right, right! The first work Miyamoto-san and I did together was a racing game for the Family Computer Disk System that you played wearing goggles. [...] A game called Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally.
  19. ^ Blake Snow (May 4, 2007). "The 10 Worst-Selling Consoles of All Time". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2007-11-25.
  20. ^ Game Over: How Nintendo Zapped an American Industry, Captured Your Dollars, and Enslaved Your Children by David Sheff, 1993, Random House.
  21. ^ "Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS". Retrieved 2011-01-12. Iwata: Virtual Boy was, I think, a commercial failure. Normally, I think it would have been understandable if Nintendo experienced a kind of trauma with regard to the whole 3D genre. But Nintendo continued to doggedly make attempts in 3D technology. And you could say that those attempts have now finally borne fruit. I feel like that is an interesting progression of topicsyay.
  22. ^ "Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS". Retrieved 2011-01-12. Miyamoto: At the time, as I was working on the Nintendo 64 system, part of me thought we should use wire frames to render 3D graphics, but I also thought that wire frame images weren't terribly appealing. [...] If nothing but wire-frame fighter craft had appeared and Mario and other beloved characters had never shown up, that would be a little sad. But if you only changed the depth of a 2D image of Mario, it wouldn't bring out the real appeal of Virtual Boy. So the Virtual Boy system was a complicated affair. [...] Virtual Boy had two big tasks to accomplish, and it went out into the world without satisfying either one. It's not so much that the machine itself was wrong as a product, but that we were wrong in how we portrayed it.
  23. ^ "Nintendo 'Traumatized' By 3D Virtual Boy, But '(Laughs)' About It Now". Kotaku.
  24. ^ "Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS". Retrieved 2011-01-11. Iwata: To go back a little further, the Nintendo GameCube system actually had 3D-compatible circuitry built in [...] Itoi: Nintendo GameCube did? And all the Nintendo GameCube systems around the world? Iwata: Yeah. If you fit it with a certain accessory, it could display 3D images.
  25. ^ "Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS". Retrieved 2011-01-12. Iwata: We couldn't have done it without selling it for a price far above that of the Nintendo GameCube system itself! We already had a game for it, though – Luigi's Mansion, simultaneously released with Nintendo GameCube Device.
  26. ^ "Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS". Retrieved 2011-01-12. Iwata:For example, a sample screen used in the Nintendo 3DS to illustrate how you can see three-dimensional images without special glasses was functioning on the Game Boy Advance SP system.
  27. ^ "Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS". Retrieved 2011-01-12. Iwata: [...] But the resolution of LCD was low then, so it didn't look that great and it never made it to being a product. In order to make images look three-dimensional without special glasses [...] you need high resolution and high-precision technology. We didn't have that to a sufficient degree back then, so the stereoscopic effect wasn't very sharp.
  28. ^ "Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS". Retrieved 2011-01-12. Miyamoto: When we were making Shigureden, Yamauchi-san expressed his earnest hope that we could make something "jump out."
  29. ^ "Iwata Asks: Nintendo 3DS". Retrieved 2011-01-12. Miyamoto: We got pretty far along with regard to the methodology, but didn't have enough time to develop it and gave up. But we did get to do a lot of research with regard to the liquid crystal and other matters involved.
  30. ^ Valich, Theo (13 October 2009). "nVidia Tegra wins contract for next-gen Nintendo DS". Bright Side of News*. Bright Side Network. Retrieved 2010-04-04. Currently, we have no information what exact chip is being used [just that nVidia won the contract], but with the debut set for February 2010, the second generation of Tegra chips could make an excellent base [to be launched at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona].
  31. ^ Harding, Robin (30 October 2009). "Nintendo considers Kindle tactics for consoles". Financial Times. Tokyo, Japan. Retrieved 2010-04-04. In reality, if we did this it would increase the cost of the hardware, and customers would complain about Nintendo putting prices up, but it is one option for the future.
  32. ^ Totilo, Stephen (May 13, 2004). "Taking the Game War To a Second Front". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2010-04-04. To keep costs down, Mr. Miyamoto said, some features were left out of the DS. Maybe next time, he said, he will be able to include a tilt sensor for gyroscopic control.
  33. ^ Ashcraft, Brian (February 2, 2010). "Nintendo vs. Japanese Newspaper, It Continues!". Kotaku. Gawker Media. Retrieved 2010-04-04. The exec went on to address the issue with the Asahi Shimbun, asserting that the reporter stated, 'The graphics for the next DS will be highly detailed and it will contain a motion sensor, right?' Iwata claims he then replied, 'Those things are naturally being required. But do you think it would sell with just that?' Iwata emphasized that this last part was left completely out.
  34. ^ Ingham, Tim (February 16, 2010). "DS2 in the hands of Pokemon Company". CVG. Future Publishing. Retrieved 2010-04-04. Any kind of March announcement wouldn't fit with the timeline I understand the second DS to be on,' he added.
  35. ^ "Did Nintendo Doom New Handheld Before Its Release?". CNBC. March 29, 2010. Retrieved 2010-04-03. 'Apparently, the Japanese press was all over it and talked with suppliers there and Nintendo just wanted to get out ahead by breaking the news to prevent a leak,' says Billy Pigeon, senior analyst with M2 Research.
  36. ^ "Nintendo DS testing platform revealed by FCC". Wireless Goodness. April 30, 2010. Retrieved 2010-05-18. An FCC filing today by Mitsumi exposed what appears to be a Nintendo DS testing platform. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help)
  37. ^ Predy, Logan (May 17, 2010). "3DS Dev-Build Hardware Analysis". Game Usagi. Retrieved 2010-05-18. For their '3D Control Stick' Nintendo has decided to go for something much more akin to the 'control nub' on the PSP systems.
  38. ^ Harris, Craig (June 4, 2010). "E3 2010: Everything We Know About the 3DS". IGN. Retrieved 2010-06-06.
  39. ^ Nintendo 3DS – Games at Nintendo Nintendo of America Inc.
  40. ^ "E3 2010: Ocarina of Time 3DS On the Way! – Nintendo 3DS News at IGN". IGN. March 29, 2010. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  41. ^ Towell, Justin (August 23, 2010). "Is the design of the 3DS final or not? Nintendo clears up the confusion". GamesRadar UK. Retrieved 2010-08-25.
  42. ^ a b "Nintendo Conference 2010 Converage: 3DS Launch Details Revealed". WiiNintendo. September 29, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  43. ^ "Nintendo 3DS Final Design". WiiNintendo. September 29, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  44. ^ Nintendo 3DS Preview Event Nintendo of Europe
  45. ^ Nintendo allowing retailers to set 3DS price in Europe. Good luck if you have a pre-order Nintendo 3DS News at GamesRadar
  46. ^ Interactive, Disney. "Nintendo 3DS at". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  47. ^ "Nintendo 3DS UK price war rages on". CVG.
  48. ^ "Find out where you can try Nintendo 3DS near you!". Nintendo. Retrieved 2011-02-06.
  49. ^ "Nintendo 3DS – Preview Event". Nintendo.com. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  50. ^ Matt Peckham (February 28, 2011). "Nintendo 3DS Sells 400,000 in Japan, Already R4 Hacked". PC World. Retrieved 2011-02-28.
  51. ^ a b "Weekly consumer sales ranking" (in Japanese). 4Gamer.net. February 27, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-14.
  52. ^ Tor Thorsen (March 29, 2011). "3DS sets sales record in US, 'no widespread issues' with portable". GameSpot. Retrieved 2011-03-29.
  53. ^ "POKÉMON GAMES SELL NEARLY 2.5 MILLION IN NINTENDO'S BEST MARCH IN U.S. FOR PORTABLE HARDWARE" (Press release). Nintendo. 14 March 2011. Retrieved 14 March 2011.
  54. ^ Cliff Edwards (April 15, 2011). "Nintendo Says 3DS Has 'Great' Start With U.S. Sales of 440,000 in Week One". Bloomberg L.P. Retrieved 2011-04-20.
  55. ^ "Nintendo 3DS UK sales figures are in". Computer and Video Games. April 1, 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-01.
  56. ^ Ramsay, Randolph (2011-04-25). "Wii successor confirmed for 2012, Nintendo profits fall by 66% - News at GameSpot". Gamespot.com. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  57. ^ Dutton, Fred (2011-03-24). "Why the Nintendo 3DS costs £230". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  58. ^ a b by JC Fletcher on Aug 10th 2011 11:00AM (2011-08-10). "3DS goes Flame Red in North America September 9". Joystiq. Retrieved 2011-11-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  59. ^ a b "Nintendo launching 'Misty Pink' 3DS handheld on October 20th". Engadget. 2011-09-12. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  60. ^ "Ice White 3DS revealed - Edge Magazine". Next-gen.biz. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  61. ^ "Nintendo 3DS Goes Flame Red". Nintendo Australia. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  62. ^ "Lavender Pink for Nintendo 3DS". Nintendo Australia. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  63. ^ "Two new Nintendo 3DS bundles and colours for Europe". Vooks.net. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
  64. ^ "Welcome to Nintendo of America's Media Site". Press.nintendo.com. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  65. ^ http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Pearl-Pink-3DS-Arriving-February-39072.html Pearl Pink 3DS Arriving In February
  66. ^ "Cobalt Blue 3DS Coming to Japan". 1 March 2012. Retrieved 2012-03-01.
  67. ^ "DMP 3D Graphics IP core "PICA200" is adopted by Nintendo 3DS". Dmprof.com. 2010-06-21. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  68. ^ a b "Nintendo 3DS Spec Sheet" (PDF) (in Japanese). Nintendo of Japan. September 29, 2010. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  69. ^ Nintendo 3DS – Hardware Specifications at Nintendo Nintendo of America Inc.
  70. ^ Pereira, Chris (June 21, 2010). "A Look at the New Nintendo 3DS Game Cards". 1UP.com. UGO Entertainment. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
  71. ^ Ingham, Tim (July 9, 2010). "3DS fixes Nintendo's piracy problem – THQ". CVG. Future Publishing. Retrieved 2010-07-16. 'I actually asked Nintendo to explain the technology and they said it's very difficult to do so because it's so sophisticated,' he [THQ's executive VP of global publishing Ian Curran] continued.
  72. ^ "Buy Nintendo 3DS Ice White with Super Mario 3D Land | Free UK Delivery". GAME. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
  73. ^ http://kotaku.com/5865744/
  74. ^ Nintendo 3DS features Game Coins system aussie-nintendo
  75. ^ Nintendo 3DS – Built-in Software and Applications at Nintendo Nintendo of America Inc.
  76. ^ "Nintendo 3DS Operations Manual Page 31 (US)" (PDF). Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  77. ^ "Nintendo 3DS - Getting Started - First-Time Set Up". Nintendo.com. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  78. ^ Jim Reilly. "GDC: TurboGrafx 16, Game Gear Hit 3DS". IGN.
  79. ^ "Nintendo 3DS brings a dimensional shift to the world of entertainment on March 25". Nintendo of Europe. January 19, 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-19. The Nintendo eShop will use a cash-based system. Users can either input credit card information in the shop or purchase a Nintendo 3DS eShop card at retail locations.
  80. ^ a b "Upcoming Nintendo 3DS system update information at Nintendo :: What's New". Nintendo.com. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  81. ^ Spencer (July 26, 2010). "Nintendo 3DS "Tag Mode" Called CrossPass Mode, 3D Paddleball In Development?". Siliconera. Retrieved 2010-07-27.
  82. ^ JC Fletcher. "3DS Tag Mode functions called 'SpotPass' and 'StreetPass' in the West". Joystiq.
  83. ^ Alex Pham (March 2, 2011). "Nintendo adds 3-D video channel, Netflix streaming to 3DS". Los Angeles Times.
  84. ^ Kohler, Chris (July 12, 2010). "Nintendo 3DS Idea Man Pulls Back Curtain on Handheld's Capabilities". Wired. Retrieved 2010-07-16. Wired.com: In 2004, when the first DS was first shown at E3, we saw an exterior form factor that wasn't final. Will the look of the 3DS be changed before its release? Konno: You can take this as the final shape.
  85. ^ Harris, Craig (March 29, 2010). "E3 2010: Hideki Konno Wants You to Read the Morning Paper – Nintendo DS Feature at IGN". IGN. Retrieved 2010-06-18.
  86. ^ Harris, Craig (July 8, 2010). "3DS: Tag Mode's Second Coming". IGN. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
  87. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (June 18, 2010). "Nintendo Planning Newspaper and Magazine Viewer for 3DS". andriasang.com. Retrieved 2010-07-16. In a Nikkei interview Thursday morning, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata […] mentioned one possible application for this feature. "We're thinking about functionality where it will automatically acquire newspaper and magazine articles," said Iwata.
  88. ^ Nintendo News: "Nintendo simplifies online gaming for 3DS" CVG
  89. ^ Wahlgren, Jon (2011-10-21). "Kid Icarus, Kirby Getting 3D Classics Makeovers". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2011-10-22.
  90. ^ E3 2010 Nintendo 3DS Unveiled CNET
  91. ^ Harris, Craig (June 15, 2010). "E3 2010: 3DS: Our First Hands-on". IGN. Retrieved 2010-07-16.
  92. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (September 29, 2010). "3DS: Nintendo's Press Conference: Digest Version". Andriasang. Andriasang. p. 1. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
  93. ^ "3DS: Nintendo of Japan's Nintendo 3DS Homepage – Wi-Fi Communication Page". Nintendo (in Japanese). Nintendo of Japan. January 8, 2011. pp. 1–8. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
  94. ^ Crecente, Brian (2011-03-24). "Nintendo Gives With One 3DS Update, Will Take Away With Another". Kotaku. Retrieved 2011-03-24.
  95. ^ "Tekken 3D Prime trailer for Nintendo 3DS streamed". Animenewsnetwork.com. 2011-10-24. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  96. ^ Daniel Vuckovic (14 July 2011). "Nintendo Video Channel for Nintendo 3DS goes live in Europe and Australia". Vooks.net. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  97. ^ "Download the free Nintendo Video application, only for Nintendo 3DS". Nintendo. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  98. ^ "Nintendo Video app for the American 3DS appears with four videos in tow". Engadget. 2011-07-22. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  99. ^ Heater, Brian (July 14, 2011). "Nintendo confirms Netflix on the 3DS hitting today". Engadget. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  100. ^ "Record 10 Minutes of 3D Video on 3DS With November Firmware Update".
  101. ^ "RECORD YOUR PRECIOUS MOMENTS WHEN 3D VIDEO RECORDING COMES TO NINTENDO 3DS". Nintendo Australia. 7 December 2011. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  102. ^ "Current hit TV shows are now available on more devices".
  103. ^ post a comment. "Nintendo 3DS Getting Dual Analogs, More Shoulder Buttons with Monster Hunter 3G, News from". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2011-12-01. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  104. ^ Leo, Jonathan (2011-09-06). "3DS to receive right analog pad, Monster Hunter - Report - News at GameSpot". Gamespot.com. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  105. ^ "3DS Slide Pad Attachment Formally Announced". Andriasang.com. 2011-09-13. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  106. ^ Dutton, Fred. "Kid Icarus: Uprising gets Circle Pad Pro support". Eurogamer. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  107. ^ "ニンテンドー3DS｜周辺機器｜Nintendo" (in Japanese). Nintendo.co.jp. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  108. ^ a b Boxer, Steve (2011-07-28). "3DS price cut by almost a third as Nintendo reports loss". London: The Guardian.
  109. ^ "Nintendo announces huge 3DS price cut". Eurogamer.
  110. ^ http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/3ds/en_na/3dsambassador.jsp?menu=ts&submenu=ctr-ts-amb-no-eshop-icon
  111. ^ "Nintendo warns children not to play new player in 3D". Reuters. January 3, 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
  112. ^ "Doctors Say The 3DS Is Safe, Potentially Beneficial To Children". Kotaku. January 5, 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
  113. ^ a b c d "3DS may spot kids' eye problems". The Japan Times Online. The Japan Times. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
  114. ^ Sean Poulter (2011-01-01). "Nintendo warns children under six not to play console in 3D as it may harm their eyesight". London: DailyMail.
  115. ^ "Nintendo responds to 3DS headache complaints". MaxConsole. March 28, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-20.
  116. ^ Harris, Craig (2010-06-15). "E3 2010: 3DS: Our First Hands-on". IGN. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  117. ^ "Nintendo 3DS (Cosmo Black)". Reviews.cnet.com. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  118. ^ a b c "IGN Nintendo 3DS Review". Uk.gear.ign.com. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  119. ^ a b 3DS (2011-03-21). "Engadget Nintendo 3DS Review". Engadget.com. Retrieved 2011-11-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  120. ^ "Consolidated Sales Transition by Region" (PDF). Nintendo. 2011-07-30. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  121. ^ "Consolidated Sales Transition by Region" (PDF). Nintendo. 2011-10-27. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
  122. ^ "3DS Amazon UK's most preordered system ever". GameSpot. March 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
  123. ^ Brightman, James. "Nintendo: 3DS Pre-Orders Now 2X Level of Wii". Industry Gamers. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  124. ^ http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/28709
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nintendo 3DS.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nintendo_3DS&oldid=479750732"