Nintendo 3DS Beginners’ Guide
3D camera, high-quality graphics, touch screens, widescreen, HD, StreetPass…oh, and great games.
Experience 3D Without Glasses
What the DS did for touchscreen gaming, the 3DS does for 3D gaming. For the first time, you will be able to see 3D visual effects in a natural way, without the need for glasses. The 3D effects are truly ground breaking but they are just the tip of the ice berg.

Play a Massive Selection of Exclusive 3DS Games
Games developers are so excited about the 3DS that they are working on the largest collection of games be launched with any system in history. There really is something for everyone. There’s Professor Layton for puzzle fans, Spongebob Squarepants for Children, Metal Gear Solid for hardcore gamers, Steel Driver for strategy fans and The Sims for everyone else. That’s just a fraction of the games available for 3DS. To see more watch the video below or take a look at our list of 3DS games.
See Awesome Visual Effects
The screen offers a higher resolution meaning the games you play will appear more defined and crisper. It’s the portable equivalent of upgrading from standard TV to an HDTV.
To see what I mean, compare to the pictures below. You can see the 3DS is a vast improvment over the DS and that’s before you add in the 3D effects.

Animal Crossing - DS

Animal Crossing - 3DS
The 3DS’s larger screens also make it easier to appreciate all these improvements. The visual effects go even further than that though. Improved processing power means characters and game worlds can feature much more detail.

Realistic graphics like this were not possible before 3DS
Take 3D Photos
Not only can you play games on the 3DS, you can also use it to create your own 3D photos. Take pictures with the 3DS and it will be the start of your first 3D photo collection to share with friends and post online.
Interact With Like-Minded People Around You
If you see someone playing a 3DS when you’re out, you can challenge them to a game through the console. Especially intriguing is the idea that even when you’re not aware of it, your 3DS can interact with others while it is turned “off” in your pocket or bag. Your 3DS will communicate with others it passes to exchange game data. When you turn your 3DS back on, you’ll discover new things. You might be able to race against the best lap times of someone you passed while you were shopping or see if your Pokemon won any battles against other people’s. The possibilities for this exciting new feature are still being explored but you can expect many new ways to play. See the video to get a better idea of how this works.
Turn Reality Into a Game
Using the 3D camera, you can make the world around you part of the game. For example, look at a table through the screen of your 3DS and you might see little monsters running around it. This is another technology which is still being experimented with but has many truly exciting possibilities. The video above also includes a look at this technology.
Relive Classic Games
As well as being able to play games from the original DS (meaning their are already 100s of games available), you can download Gameboy classics like Tetris.
Enjoy Motion Control
As with the Nintendo Wii, motion and gyro sensors bring new ways to play. Turn your 3DS to steer around corners or literally shake off the badies.
Watch 3D Films, Listen to Music, Browse the Internet, Download Apps, Stay Fit!
The 3DS is a portable media centre. It is the only way you can watch 3D films without glasses. You can also store and listen to a digital music collection on the system.
You can now do multiple things at once. For example, you can pause a game, take a look at a website and get straight back to the game without interruption. Finally, 3DS can keep track of how much walking you have done to aid you with your fitness. As if this wasn’t enough, you’ll also be able to download apps to do just about anything with your new handheld companion.
When Can I Have One?
They go on sale on 25 March 2011 in Europe and 27 March in North America.
How Much Will it Cost?
Where Can I find Out More?
Here! Come back for news updates every day.
Features List
• 3.5″ 3D Screen with an 800 x 240 pixel resolution. (400 pixels for each eye.) – No 3D Glasses Required!
• 3D Slider – Turn up the level of 3D as easily as you would turn up the volume with an analogue slider. Select your ideal 3D settings for each game you play.
• 3″ Touch Panel Screen – 320 x 240 pixels. Dedicated to the touch interface, this screen leaves your other screen available for 3D without worrying about finger prints or smudges on the new technology.
• 3D Camera – The 3DS actually has three cameras – one on the inside above the 3D screen for taking standard VGA pictures and two on the outside that combine images to create 3D photographs.
• Slide Pad – Precision controls let you move exactly how you want in 360 degrees.
• Pre-Installed Software – The 3DS comes fully loaded with lots of pre-installed software, like 3DS and DS Download Play, camera apps, a messaging system, sound and video recorders, a gaming Activity Log, six ready to use AR games, a unique, user-customisable game called Face Raiders, and Mii support.
• StreetPass and SpotPass – Even when your 3DS is in sleep mode, it can automatically download new stages, quests, ghost data and rankings via SpotPass. StreetPass lets you win trophies, fight matches, simulate battles, and interact with anyone you pass by as long as you’ve got your 3DS with you. StreetPass and SpotPass are free and automatic, although they can be turned off.
• Motion and Gyro Sensors – These allow a full range of dynamic motion control, opening up new and exciting possibilities for mobile gaming.
• Size – 5.3″ wide, 2.9″ long, 0.8″ tall (when closed).
• Weight – 226 grams.
• Storage Media – 3DS and DS game cards, SD cards.
• Inputs and Outputs – 3DS and DS game cards, SD cards, headphone output jack.
• Battery Life – 3-5 hours, depending on settings used, with 3DS games. Up to 8 hours with DS games.




CAN……. NOT……. WAIT!!!!!!!
It might be rumor but I hear the Game Boy games are in 3D on the Nintendo 3DS is that true. I’ve got the original Super Mario Land on Game boy colour.
the 3ds is awsome and it does have internet ( i think )
the 3ds is awesome and it does have internet ( i think )
I tried the Nintendo 3DS out in GAME in Forestside Belfast and gosh it’s small even the DS Lite feels bigger. I didn’t see any 3D but it might be just the games i’ve played.
OMG!
MIEU MIEU MIEU!
omg !!! you played it was it cool ?!
@ELDTLO
same !!
@BenjaMiin Wiilkinson
Sorry to burst your bubble, but it’s not.
there will be gameboy games that u can downlode onto the 3ds.
iiiiiii wwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaannnnnnnnnttttttttt iiiiiiiiitttttttt nnnnnnnoooooooowwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i wonder if they will make an xl to this?
Imagine a 4DS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’d love the 3Ds! But my family aren’t that wealthy, I might not be able to get the 3Ds and/or it’s games.
@Myztea Ziru

I want a free blue 3ds sent to 10208 hopeland ave zip 90241
I think people trying to get the free 3DS by the sympathy vote may just be squandering their chances. Just be patient.
@BenjaMiin Wiilkinson

it doesn’t even a slot for old cartridges
and even if it did, if the gale isn’t 3d then it wouldn’t make it go 3d, just like that
Do you think that they will soon come out with a newer version of the 3ds? I heard that a long time ago they promised the public a release before the end of march, and that the version that is coming out now was actually more or less the same as the prototype? I was thinking that they wanted to make a better version, but didn’t have the time to do so in the time they promised.
I’m not sure, I just wanted to get a second opinion, I don’t think I’ll be buying this for several months after it comes out.
@Yena
i’m pretty sure that the 3ds will not be made into like the 3dslite or 3dsi or something that’s an updated version… for the idea of 1 firmware updates are AT LEAST going to be until may because that is when nintendo released the internet probable release firware thing… and also 3dsbuzz has already talked about that and how nintendo said NO 3DSLITE so yeah.
@…
why would they make a 3dslite cause i bet the 3ds has the same brightness as 1 it could be higher
and why would they make an 3dsi the system has already got cameras and the menu is quiete simular plus you can get dsi ware an crap like that
in my opinion i think that the 3ds is the best handheld going (even the npg)
@Alex…way to go giving out your address. -_-
Wow, I just can’t wait, I have read this about 10 times already. I’m saving up for a 3DS but I only have £40 so I’m not doing so well. But it looks so cool!
My mum says she’s getting dis for my birthday, but it is sooooo expensive!!!!!
i feel really guilty, so i insisted to mum that i would contribute 2 the payment XD
who else feels guilty whenever their parents buy something expensive?
Is the first 13 posts by any chance by the same person? O_o
@BenjaMiin Wiilkinson
sorry but they arent
@Kevin11
yeah that would be scary 4d=real life i dont want ganon/bowser coming to my house
hah funny. i wish i had the 3ds right now

@Nintendogirl i have £.41.81
I WANT ONE
You have to buy the game again on the e-shop to get it in 3d
@BenjaMiin Wiilkinson
no those games will be regular gamboy resolution and size. no 3d there. I wish though
I played the 3ds in gamestation, and trust me, it is pure magic. People were saying you could not see the 3d if you were out of the `sweet spot’ but that isnt the case for me face raiders is the best and the 3d pictures work well.
If i were to describe to you what the effect was like, think of those 3d poster things, and ad mor depth and times it by 100
thats ok i lost my mario land game i dont really care if its in 3d as long as i get to play ti
@dsi ds lite game boy couler and game cube owner
Very very cool. You do have to see it to believe in it. It’s also in Conswater.
I pre ordered mine today! Blue one. I was actually going to buy a dsi xl but saw thata new one was coming out and I was convinced to wait it out. I was told by a gamestop employee that ds games will not be made anymore. New games will only come out for the 3ds.
@cashmoney
do not worry ds games will not stop being made that guy is just a thick head
and i cant wait for okamiden on the ds
I played it at HMV and just then I have finally discovered what the true meaning of awesomeness is. IT WAS SOOO AWESOME!
i cant wait til the 3ds comes out
HI i cant watch any of the videos up there helpp!!
battery life is not 13hours mate.. will be closer to 3 hours using full 3d mode
blue is my fav color but cosmo black looks so sick
can you play your music while doing anything else techno while playing mario kart
Yes it does hant u seen the videos or have u been living under a rock
@jimbo
Who cares… It’s way more better than a lousy ds!It last about 13 hours full of charge!!!!!
Can’t wait, only four nights of sleeping left and then after school i’m gonna buy it. Choose the color and the 2 games i want.
To
dsi ds lite game boy couler and game cube owner
of course the 3ds will have internet. they want to make it abetter system than the dsi period otherw2ise the 3ds would be a huge step backward
I can’t wait when the new nintendo 3DS i gotting it some time on my birhtday
@Kiroshenpartyman
no it on 2D
Its 3DayS till the 3DS is released
Tried it today in a danish gamestop store. Wonderful I say. Got to try 4 games in total. Sims 3, nintendogs, a flying game that takes place with the good old wii custom characters (Mii’s) on the wii sport resort island. and that game that is a part of the 3ds when you buy it. you know, where you have to shoot some small, flying ‘robots’ with your or your friends face on. (can’t remember the name for some reason.. darn me)
The 3d works surprisingly well. If any of you guys were at CeBit and saw the 3D tv screens without glasses, it’s a little like that. just less annoying for your eyes. of course you still have to turn off the 3d mode now and then! (my eyes are still a little tired, even though it’s been over 1 hour since I left the store) The 2d graphics are still great though
It made me a little sad that I couldn’t try out the new zelda game because of it’s release date. but I still think it’s a great piece of work from nintendo. Hope to somehow get enough money for this baby, since I really want to test out some more functions and games on it!
Slowest wait for anything ever, ive found myself scowering every inch of the web for things to do with the 3ds for the past month or 2 :S
Mine came yesterday!! Amazing!! Just gotta wait for the games to be realeased now!!xx
I got mine today but no game =S Tesco wouldn’t sell me one either. Bloke tried telling me they hadn’t had their delivery when the bloke stood next to him was un-boxing handfuls of Nintendogs and Pilotwings!
Pre-Ordered 3Ds on Amazon.co.uk for £187. Such a good deal. But when will it arrive. I’m a bit far away from… most places! The Scottish Highlands are not the best place to get quick delivery.
But how good is the 3D effect. And is Face Raiders good?
Pre-Ordered 3Ds on Amazon.co.uk for £187. Such a good deal. But when will it arrive. I’m a bit far away from… most places! The Scottish Highlands are not the best place to get quick delivery.
But how good is the 3D effect. And is Face Raiders good? And how is StreetPass Quest?
Sorry, thought it didn’t post the first one… sorry!
i got it today and its amazing, but , does it have pictochat???? if it does, how do you get it
I preordered my 3DS ages ago (from Amazon) and I have been following the news from the start but my 3DS has still not arrived. I am sooooooo anoyed. Can’t wait but will complain if it doesn’t arrive soon.
@jillian
it doesn’t exist for the 3ds
I got mine on 25th its amazing
I got an aqua blue 3ds, but wen ever I play rayman 3d, It says that there is an error. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But i still think the 3ds is the best
But, the 3ds does have a streetpass drawing thing. and some kind of streetpass chat thing………but no, they sadly dont have pictochat
What games should I get for my 3ds? (I all ready have pilotwings resort and rayman 3D)
klyiku
@Philip
I got mine 26th, which happens to be my birthday.
The image for this says “Begginer’s Guide”.
@Grort
The 3d effect is beautiful but the 3d is different on everyone, and you have to be in the sweet spot. Face Raiders is fun but is more for when your at home in a wide space. I love the AR game thought especially fishing I can play that for hours. I also reccomend if you don’t see a good game just play the AR games only downside you can’t put a AR card anywhere. :/
I’m extremely disappointed with the games released for the system so far, but I’m very happy with my 3DS. I’m going to the mall today to try to get further in Street Pass Quest and the puzzle game, but that’s basically all I can do outside of the buggy AR Games and creepy and unfun Face Raiders. The game I’m most excited for in the launch window releases in over a month, it doesn’t even have a set launch date(Resident Evil: Mercenaries). I’m also not okay with paying $40 for Ocarina of Time 3D, a remake with slightly better textures and nothing really new. I know people like to defend OoT 3D and I know millions of idiots want to buy it, and everyone usually says that it’s just because they’d kill to have the game on the go. What they don’t seem to realize is that Nintendo could’ve made emulation of N64 games for the 3DS and let you play all of your Virtual Console games from the Wii; I’d much rather spend $10 for a portable copy of a game that I’ve already owned since 1998.
I totally got off-subject there but I’m very passionate about this, it disgusts me so much. I’m probably not going to have any 3DS games for a month or so unless I wanna go through all the shovelware launch date titles with decent quality but very little content. There’s no way I’d spend $40 for 2 hours of Pilotwings adventure, even if it makes my dick hard from lust over the 3D effect.
my top screen gets sooooooooooooo dusty! Its really annoying.
Easy cleaning advice?
Its dumb how the e shop and browser isn’t out yet.
Anybody no when da purple 1 will b released n America??
to make miis online, copy the link below.
http://www.wiiplayable.com/playgame.php?gameid=157
Yeah, the 3DS screens get dusty and dirty easily, and are hard to clean without leaving smudges on the screen which are extremely noticeable with 3D turned on… there are screen protectors at amazon for 80p.
@Facelord
yes im not sure what game to buy i get my 3ds on may 3
Yeah same here my screen is so dusty. I got Star Wars 3 the clone wars and it looks awesome but I’m not sure if I should get Asphalt 3d or Ridge racer 3d. If i cant decide then I will get PES 2011.
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