The Nintendo 3DS is not the first name that comes to our mind when talking about the greatest gaming consoles, and that’s a bummer.
This gaming console might be the last dedicated gaming handheld console produced by Nintendo and comes with a large collection of games to offer. Besides, it can still give a tough competition to the Nintendo Switch.
If you want to know more about this 3D gaming console, you’ve come to the right place. This article will tell you everything you need to know about the Nintendo 3DS and its games. So, without any further ado, let’s start!
What Is Nintendo 3DS?
A successor to the DS, the Nintendo 3DS is a handheld gaming device capable of producing 3D effects without the need for special glasses. The console was released in 2010 along with the announcements for many first and third-party games.
Even though there are many 3DS titles specially designed for the system, the Nintendo 3DS has backward compatibility with the games from all the previous versions of the Nintendo DS. In addition to this, you can also play the downloadable DSiWare games that are released for the Nintendo DSi.
What Are the Nintendo 3DS Specs?
The Nintendo 3DS specs are incredibly powerful as compared to the previous Nintendo releases. It uses the Pica200 GPU chip that is capable of generating up to 15.3 million polygons a second at the speed of 200MHz. In short, the 3D graphics are almost similar to what you’ll find on a GameCube.
The device’s top screen measures 3.53inches which is 11.3% larger than the screen of the Nintendo DS Lite. The bottom screen which also supports the touch feature measures 3.02inches.
The battery of the Nintendo 3DS can last for three to five hours. However, it also depends upon the game that you are playing on the system. For example, if you use the 3D display, Wi-Fi, or brighten the screen, the battery will drain out faster.
There is also a motion sensor and a gyroscope to make gaming more fun. An analog nub known as the ‘circle pad’ is present just above the D-pad. This is what makes the device ideal for navigating 3D games.
The device comes with three cameras out of which one is present right above the top screen and the other two are available on the outside of the console for 3D photos.
What Are the Top Nintendo 3DS Games?
The Nintendo 3DS plays host to many best entries and also has excellent third-party support in a variety of genres. Therefore, many veteran studios such as Konami, Square-Enix, and Capcom are still developing games for the famous franchises including Final Fantasy, Metal Gear Solid, and Resident Evil.
Some of the top Nintendo 3DS games include.
- Shovel Knight: Launched in 2014 for Nintendo 3DS, the Shovel Knight is a side-scrolling platform game. It is a tribute to the classic games with a sprinkle of innovative features which captivates both the new generation and the adults.
- Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate: Released in 2015 for the Nintendo 3DS it is the fourth installment of the Monster Hunter. If facing giant monsters and defeating them is your thing, this action game is just the right choice for you.
- Super Mario 3D Land: A mixture of the traditional 2D and modern 3D technology, the Super Mario 3D land is surely a game that you will be playing for hours.
- Resident Evil: Revelations: The Resident Evil is a survival horror game that was released for 3DS in 2012. The game is the perfect combination of terror and action and offers impressive 3D effects to the players.
- Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth: The Persona Q is a role-playing video game that was released in 2014. It displays a perfect match between the aesthetics and the supernatural.
Also Read: Best Nintendo 3DS Games
Can You Take Screenshots on 3DS?
Even though the Nintendo 3DS doesn’t have a built-in screenshot function, you can still take the screenshot on your 3DS. All you need to do is press the home button and then open Miiverse. You’ll be directed to the community of the game you were recently running.
On the bottom of the screen, you will see a button labeled as ‘Post.’ When you tap on that button, it will take you to another screen where you will see an attached screenshot of whatever screen you were last looking at in your game.
What Are the Different Nintendo 3DS Models?
There are four main versions of the Nintendo 3DS models. Let’s check the timeline for all 3DS models:
- Nintendo 3DS: It is the original version that was released in 2010.
- Nintendo 3DS XL: Similar to the 3DS but with a bigger screen. The Nintendo 3DS XL got released in July 2012.
- New Nintendo 3DS: Released in February 2015, this one features more buttons, a better 3D technology, and is more powerful than its predecessors.
- New Nintendo 3DS XL: It offers the same features that the New Nintendo 3DS does. However, its screen is larger in comparison.
Which Is Better: Nintendo 3DS or Nintendo DSi?
Can’t decide between the Nintendo 3DS or the DSi? Let’s check out the major differences between the two devices below.
- Size: When we talk about the size, there isn’t much difference between the two consoles. While the 3DS measures at 134x72x20mm, the DSi is available at 137×74.9×18.9mm. That said, the 3DS is a more portable option in comparison.
- Camera: The DSi features a single camera 640×480 resolution placed on the outside of the device. On the other hand, the 3DS lets the users capture pictures in 3D. For this, the console has an extra camera at 640×480 resolution along with the VGA camera positioned inside.
- Motion Sensing: The Nintendo 3DS features a gyroscope and motion sensor for three-dimensional gaming which is not present on the DSi. This means that the gamers can physically move the console just like the Wii Remote.
- Buttons: The DSi consists of four y,x, a,b buttons, a D-pad, and two additional buttons for start and select. However, when it comes to the 3DS, it features a new analog joystick that is similar to the one found on PSP. As a result, the gamers get greater control as compared to the previous Nintendo handhelds.
Who Sells Nintendo 3DS Games?
You can purchase the Nintendo 3D games from any online store such as the Retro vGames. It is one of the best places to buy a game because the buying process is extremely simple and the store offers three different shipping options to their customers. In addition to this, you even get a warranty of 121 days even if the game is on sale.
Also Read: Where to Buy Cheap Retro Games?
What Should You Buy: Nintendo Switch or Nintendo 3DS?
While all the eyes are on the Switch, we’d urge you to at least think twice before making the purchase. That’s because the Nintendo 3DS is just as promising and costs a lot less too. Apart from the console, the games are also cheaper and there is a variety of timeless classics to enjoy.
With the Nintendo Switch, you get to enjoy three or four hours of battery life depending upon what you are playing. On the other hand, the Nintendo 3DS offers up to seven hours of playtime without the 3D mode.
While the Nintendo Switch only gets YouTube and Hulu, the 3DS offers a variety of apps such as Hulu and Netflix. Believe it or not, there is even a web browser for the users.
Moreover, there’s no denying that the Switch offers some truly amazing games to the users. Some of the examples include Super Mario Odyssey and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. However, it is still at an earlier stage upon building its game library. Conversely, the 3DS has been around since 2011 and has more than 1200 3DS titles available to play.
Was the 3DS a Failure?
The Nintendo 3DS was anything but a failure. It is an incredibly powerful handheld console that offers a strong selection of games to the players. As its base hardware and game library improved, the game’s overall sales also rose. Thus, by 2017, the console managed to sell more than 67 million units.
However, the device has been discontinued in 2020 because according to the reports by Nintendo, there was a 73% decrease in sales on a year-to-year basis for the year ending in March 2020. Meanwhile, the Switch and the Switch Lite both performed well even during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Can You Play Nintendo 3DS Games on Android?
Yes, you can now play 3DS titles on your Android device with the help of the Citra 3DS Emulator. It is the first-ever 3DS emulator for PC and was first released in 2014 by Team Citra.
While it offered only a few games, in the beginning, the team added support for more games over the years. The developers are still working on the emulator and it now supports many save states, commercial games, and online gaming. The latter is available for PC only.
Also Read: How to Play Retro Games on Android?
Are There Fake 3DS Cartridges?
No, there are no counterfeit or fake 3DS cartridges because each cartridge goes through the process of encryption and contains a unique private header. Since these cartridges work differently than the standard DS cartridges, it is somewhat impossible to make fake games.
