Nintendo 3DS

The Nintendo 3DS is the unreleased successor to the Nintendo DS. It will have 3D technology without the need for glasses. It is scheduled to be released before March 2011 and was playable at E3 2010. The screens are using a parallax barrier system. Launch titles for the system include the new game,. It's possible release date is November 20th, but this is yet to be confirmed. It is to be released in Japan on February 26, 2011 and will be priced at 25,000 Yen (about $300/£219). In North America, it is pre-orderable for a minimum deposit of $50. It will cost $249 in North America and will have 23 launch titles. It will be available in Europe on March 25, 2011 and will be sold for £196.99-£229.99, depending on the retailer.

Features
The Nintendo 3DS has many new features. Firstly, it is capable of glasses-free 3D on its top screen, which has been expanded width-ways. The 3D effect can be increased or turned off entirely with the slider located on the right-hand side of the top screen. Nintendo has recommended that children under 6 are not permitted to use the 3D effect, which can be locked off with Parental Controls, however the American Optometric Association has stated that 3D gaming on the Nintendo 3DS will not harm children's eyes, if used in moderation.

The console includes 'augmented reality' cards, which one places on a flat surface, and uses the Nintendo 3DS camera to view. The cards are then transformed into an object which is visible through the 3DS camera, Nintendo has stated that users 'are not to be surprised if they see a dragon coming out of their kitchen table.' An example card is a game in which players are required to shoot targets surrounding objects.

The Nintendo 3DS includes a gyroscopic sensor that registers movement, similar to that of the iPhone and iPod Touch. It is unknown how this will be used in games.

Like the Nintendo Wii, the Nintendo 3DS includes the Virtual Console, however, players are able to download games from the Game Boy and Game Boy Color. Purchases are made through the Nintendo eShop, using a cash system, rather than Nintendo Points.

The Nintendo 3DS has the standard A, B, X, Y, Start, Select, L and R buttons, as well as the D-Pad. It also has the Slide Pad, an analogue stick similar to that of Sony's PlayStation Portable.

Similar to the Nintendo DS's PictoChat, and the Nintendo Wii's Wii Message Board, the Nintendo 3DS has a function named the 3DS Messaging Service, where people are able to send messages through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The Notification LED will light when a player has a new message.

SpotPass is the ability for the 3DS to seek Wi-Fi signals and automatically download content while in sleep mode. It may be used for players to download Distributed Items in Animal Crossing 3DS. StreetPass is the ability to connect with other 3DS systems while in sleep mode, a widely-cited example is that passing 3DS systems in the street are able to send Miis to each other.

Friend Codes remain in the 3DS system's software, however, only one is needed per system, as opposed to the Wii and DS's one each for every game.

The Activity Log tracks both game play, noting which games have been played and for how long, as well as physical activity, counting every step taken while carrying a 3DS. The feature encourages walking more every day to earn Play Coins, which can be used with compatible games and applications to acquire special content and a variety of other benefits.

The external cameras (there are now two) are used together to create 3D photos, however the interior camera can capture 2D photos and 2D video.

The game Face Raiders is automatically built into the Nintendo 3DS. In it, the player uses the 3D camera and Augmented Reality to shoot faces which have been taken from photos captured with the 3D cameras.

Trivia

 * The Slide Pad as revealed at E3 was the same colour as the outside shell, however the release console's Slide Pad has been changed to a moderate grey.