The Nintendo 3DS is an eighth-generation, dual-screen handheld game console developed and manufactured by Nintendo. It was first released in 2011 as the successor to the Nintendo DS, featuring a glasses-free stereoscopic 3D effect on its top screen.
Key features
- Autostereoscopic 3D: The most notable feature of the 3DS is its ability to display stereoscopic 3D images on its top LCD screen without the need for special glasses. A slider next to the screen allowed players to adjust the intensity of the 3D effect or turn it off entirely.
- Dual-screen and input: Like the DS before it, the 3DS features a clamshell design with two screens. The top screen displays games in 3D, while the bottom is a resistive touchscreen used for controls and menus. In addition to the standard D-pad and face buttons, the 3DS introduced a 360-degree Circle Pad for analog input.
- Motion and augmented reality: The console included a built-in gyroscope and accelerometer for motion controls. It also featured three cameras—one inner and two outer—that enabled augmented reality (AR) games and the ability to take 3D photos.
- Connectivity: The 3DS pioneered several connectivity features, including:
- StreetPass: An automatic, passive feature that allowed two 3DS systems passing near each other to wirelessly exchange game data.
- SpotPass: A feature that let the system connect to the internet via Wi-Fi hotspots and receive new content, software updates, and messages.
- Nintendo eShop: An online digital store that provided access to downloadable games, demos, and Virtual Console titles.
- Backward compatibility: The 3DS could play most games from its predecessor, the Nintendo DS, allowing users to carry over their game libraries.
Launch and sales
The 3DS had a rocky start after its 2011 launch due to its high price and a thin launch lineup.
- In response to disappointing sales, Nintendo implemented a significant price cut just six months after launch.
- To reward early adopters, the company initiated the “Ambassador Program,” giving 20 free downloadable classic games to those who bought the console at its original price.
- The strategy was successful, and the console became a major commercial hit, eventually selling over 75 million units across all its variations.