Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS is a handheld video game console made by Nintendo and released in 2011. It is a successor to the Nintendo DS and can play games in glasses-free. games released on the Nintendo 3DS include, , and the Photos with Animal Crossing application. Additionally,, which features content from the , was released for the 3DS.

The 3DS sold a total of 75.94 million units worldwide. It was succeeded by the Nintendo Switch in 2017 and was discontinued worldwide on September 17, 2020.

Friend List
Friend List is a built-in application where the player can add others as friends via a Friend Code. Having two players registered in each other's Friend List is required to visit other town's online in.

Nintendo eShop
The Nintendo eShop is a digital store where games and software could be purchased and downloaded. All games released on the 3DS could be purchased from the eShop, and Photos with Animal Crossing was released exclusively from the eShop. Update data for and  could also be downloaded from the eShop. Additionally, games and software released for the DSi Shop, including Animal Crossing Calculator and Animal Crossing Clock, could be purchased and downloaded from the eShop.

The eShop is also available on the Wii U and Nintendo Switch. The ability to purchase and download new software was discontinued worldwide on the 3DS and Wii U on March 27, 2023, 12 years since the 3DS’s North American release.

Nintendo Zone
Nintendo Zone was a discontinued service for the Nintendo 3DS that allowed players to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot in a collaborating public location, typically a retail store, to receive unique content. utilized Nintendo Zones to receive DLC items.

Play Coins
Play Coins are a system-wide currency that can be used in various games and software, including and. The 3DS has a built-in pedometer that tracks the player's steps; for every 100 steps taken, the player earns 1 Play Coin, up to a maximum of 10 per day and 300 total. In, fortune cookies can be purchased from Timmy and Tommy's store for 2 Play Coins. In, Play Coins can be used to unlock lessons in the Happy Home Handbook.

SpotPass
SpotPass is an online feature that allows the console to send and receive information to and from Nintendo. features SpotPass connectivity, and it can be enabled or disabled from the title screen. The player could connect to the internet via SpotPass during distribution periods to receive DLC items and Nintendo staff homes in the Happy Home Showcase.

SpotPass is also available on the Wii U.

StreetPass
StreetPass is a feature that uses local wireless communication to send and receive information from and to other nearby 3DS systems. It is used in in the Happy Home Showcase, where connecting with other players via StreetPass causes their house and player character to appear there. Some handheld items and badges require the use of StreetPass to obtain.

StreetPass Mii Plaza
StreetPass Mii Plaza is a built-in application on the Nintendo 3DS. The Miis of players who have been met via StreetPass appear here, and there are various minigames that can be played. The player can dress their Mii with various unlockable outfits, including four based on the : the Isabelle Hat, Tom Nook Hat, K.K. Slider Hat, and Mr. Resetti Hat.

One of the minigames, Puzzle Swap, features content. The objective of Puzzle Swap is to meet other players through StreetPass to obtain pieces of a puzzle that, when completed, displays an image from a 3DS game. Two of the puzzles feature an image from and.

Themes
An update in 2014 introduced themes, which alter the background, app icons, and music of the HOME Menu. Themes can be purchased from the Theme Shop, My Nintendo, or the downloadable game Nintendo Badge Arcade. 26 themes based on the were released:

Backward compatibility
The Nintendo 3DS is backward-compatible with Nintendo DS games, except for games that require the use of the Game Boy Advance slot of the original DS and DS Lite for Option Paks.

Download
In addition to the downloadable versions of the retail Nintendo 3DS titles mentioned above, the following download-only software are also playable on the Nintendo 3DS.

models and bundles
Multiple -themed models of the 3DS or bundles including an game were released:

In
features two furniture items based on models of the Nintendo 3DS: the and. It also features the, which contains various 3DS games, and the , which is based on a retail store kiosk.

In
The update to  features all the 3DS-related items introduced in, as well as six new items: the , which is based on a real -themed New Nintendo 3DS XL model, and the , , , , , which feature faceplates of their respective characters. Interacting with any 3DS console item allows the player to play Animal Crossing Puzzle League.

In
features a furniture item.