Nintendo 3DS Internet Browser

Developer(s)	Access, Nintendo
Initial release	NA 20110606June 6, 2011 EU 20110607June 7, 2011 JP 20110607June 7, 2011
Stable release	1.7498
Development status	active
Platform	Nintendo 3DS
Type	Internet Browser
Website	US UK

The Nintendo 3DS Internet Browser is an internet browser designed for the Nintendo 3DS system. It was released via firmware update on June 6, 2011 in North America and June 7, 2011 in Europe and Japan.^[1]

Features[link]

The browser does not function as a primary app on the 3DS system and as such can be used while another application such as a game cartridge is suspended in the background. The browser is primarily controlled with the stylus, but can be controlled by using the Circle Pad or the D-pad to cycle through links on the page.

The browser itself supports standard HTML, CSS, JavaScript and some HTML5 elements but does not support Flash, video and music files.^[2] It can also show 3D image files with the .MPO file extension on the upper screen and will allow the user to save the image to their SD card; this can also be done with 2D JPEG files. Due to memory limitations large pages may not be able to download fully.

The user will be able to choose between the Google search engine and Yahoo search engine. There is a text wrap option to automatically wrap text to the width of the screen at different zoom levels. Users can also create bookmarks. Up to 32 pages can be stored into the browser's history before the older items start being replaced.

The browser is based on NetFront NX v1.0, which uses the Webkit rendering engine, similar to desktop web browsers such as Google Chrome and Apple Safari.^[3]

See also[link]

• Nintendo DS & DSi Browser
• Internet Channel

References[link]

This video game software-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

v t e Nintendo 3DS Online service Nintendo eShop Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Nintendo Network Internet Browser System software Applications Download Play Face Raiders Flipnote Memo Mii Maker AR Games Nintendo Video Netflix StreetPass Mii Plaza Swapnote Hulu Plus Games List of Nintendo 3DS games List of best-selling Nintendo 3DS video games Virtual Console Japan North America PAL region Category

Web browser usage on Wikimedia servers

A web browser is a software application for retrieving, presenting, and traversing information resources on the World Wide Web. An information resource is identified by a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) and may be a web page, image, video, or other piece of content.^[1] Hyperlinks present in resources enable users easily to navigate their browsers to related resources. A web browser can also be defined as an application software or program designed to enable users to access, retrieve and view documents and other resources on the Internet.

Although browsers are primarily intended to access the World Wide Web, they can also be used to access information provided by web servers in private networks or files in file systems. The major web browsers are Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Opera, and Safari.^[2]

History[link]

WorldWideWeb for NeXT, released in 1991, was the first web browser.^[3]

The first web browser was invented in 1990 by Sir Tim Berners-Lee. It was called WorldWideWeb (no spaces) and was later renamed Nexus.^[4]

In 1993, browser software was further innovated by Marc Andreessen with the release of Mosaic (later Netscape), "the world's first popular browser",^[5] which made the World Wide Web system easy to use and more accessible to the average person. Andreesen's browser sparked the internet boom of the 1990s.^[5] The introduction of Mosaic in 1993 – one of the first graphical web browsers – led to an explosion in web use. Andreessen, the leader of the Mosaic team at NCSA, soon started his own company, named Netscape, and released the Mosaic-influenced Netscape Navigator in 1994, which quickly became the world's most popular browser, accounting for 90% of all web use at its peak (see usage share of web browsers).

Marc Andreessen

Microsoft responded with its Internet Explorer in 1995, also heavily influenced by Mosaic, initiating the industry's first browser war. Bundled with Windows, Internet Explorer gained dominance in the web browser market; Internet Explorer usage share peaked at over 95% by 2002.^[6]

Opera debuted in 1996; although it has never achieved widespread use, having less than 2% browser usage share as of February 2012 according to Net Applications.^[7] Its Opera-mini version has an additive share, in April 2011 amounting to 1.1% of overall browser use, but focused on the fast-growing mobile phone web browser market, being preinstalled on over 40 million phones. It is also available on several other embedded systems, including Nintendo's Wii video game console.

In 1998, Netscape launched what was to become the Mozilla Foundation in an attempt to produce a competitive browser using the open source software model. That browser would eventually evolve into Firefox, which developed a respectable following while still in the beta stage of development; shortly after the release of Firefox 1.0 in late 2004, Firefox (all versions) accounted for 7% of browser use.^[6] As of August 2011, Firefox has a 28% usage share.^[7]

Apple's Safari had its first beta release in January 2003; as of April 2011, it had a dominant share of Apple-based web browsing, accounting for just over 7% of the entire browser market.^[7]

The most recent major entrant to the browser market is Google's Chrome, first released in September 2008. Chrome's take-up has increased significantly year on year, by doubling its usage share from 8% to 16% by August 2011. This increase seems largely to be at the expense of Internet Explorer, whose share has tended to decrease from month to month.^[8] In December 2011, Google Chrome overtook Internet Explorer 8 as the most widely used web browser.^[clarify] However, when all versions of Internet Explorer are put together, IE is still most popular.^[9]

Function[link]

The primary purpose of a web browser is to bring information resources to the user. This process begins when the user inputs a Uniform Resource Locator (URL), for example http://en.wikipedia.org/, into the browser. The prefix of the URL, the Uniform Resource Identifier or URI, determines how the URL will be interpreted. The most commonly used kind of URI starts with http: and identifies a resource to be retrieved over the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). Many browsers also support a variety of other prefixes, such as https: for HTTPS, ftp: for the File Transfer Protocol, and file: for local files. Prefixes that the web browser cannot directly handle are often handed off to another application entirely. For example, mailto: URIs are usually passed to the user's default e-mail application, and news: URIs are passed to the user's default newsgroup reader.

In the case of http, https, file, and others, once the resource has been retrieved the web browser will display it. HTML is passed to the browser's layout engine to be transformed from markup to an interactive document. Aside from HTML, web browsers can generally display any kind of content that can be part of a web page. Most browsers can display images, audio, video, and XML files, and often have plug-ins to support Flash applications and Java applets. Upon encountering a file of an unsupported type or a file that is set up to be downloaded rather than displayed, the browser prompts the user to save the file to disk.

Information resources may contain hyperlinks to other information resources. Each link contains the URI of a resource to go to. When a link is clicked, the browser navigates to the resource indicated by the link's target URI, and the process of bringing content to the user begins again.

Features[link]

Available web browsers range in features from minimal, text-based user interfaces with bare-bones support for HTML to rich user interfaces supporting a wide variety of file formats and protocols. Browsers which include additional components to support e-mail, Usenet news, and Internet Relay Chat (IRC), are sometimes referred to as "Internet suites" rather than merely "web browsers".^[10][11][12]

All major web browsers allow the user to open multiple information resources at the same time, either in different browser windows or in different tabs of the same window. Major browsers also include pop-up blockers to prevent unwanted windows from "popping up" without the user's consent.^{[13][14][15][16]}

Most web browsers can display a list of web pages that the user has bookmarked so that the user can quickly return to them. Bookmarks are also called "Favorites" in Internet Explorer. In addition, all major web browsers have some form of built-in web feed aggregator. In Firefox, web feeds are formatted as "live bookmarks" and behave like a folder of bookmarks corresponding to recent entries in the feed.^[17] In Opera, a more traditional feed reader is included which stores and displays the contents of the feed.^[18]

Furthermore, most browsers can be extended via plug-ins, downloadable components that provide additional features.

User interface[link]

Most major web browsers have these user interface elements in common:^[19]

• Back and forward buttons to go back to the previous resource and forward respectively.
• A refresh or reload button to reload the current resource.
• A stop button to cancel loading the resource. In some browsers, the stop button is merged with the reload button.
• A home button to return to the user's home page.
• An address bar to input the Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) of the desired resource and display it.
• A search bar to input terms into a search engine. In some browsers, the search bar is merged with the address bar.
• A status bar to display progress in loading the resource and also the URI of links when the cursor hovers over them, and page zooming capability.

Major browsers also possess incremental find features to search within a web page.

Privacy and security[link]

Most browsers support HTTP Secure and offer quick and easy ways to delete the web cache, cookies, and browsing history. For a comparison of the current security vulnerabilities of browsers, see comparison of web browsers.Browsers should also be very secure, as malware is a constant threat on the internet.

Standards support[link]

Early web browsers supported only a very simple version of HTML. The rapid development of proprietary web browsers led to the development of non-standard dialects of HTML, leading to problems with interoperability. Modern web browsers support a combination of standards-based and de facto HTML and XHTML, which should be rendered in the same way by all browsers.

Extensibility[link]

A browser extension is a computer program that extends the functionality of a web browser. Every major web browser supports the development of browser extensions.

See also[link]

• Geobrowsing
• List of web browsers
• Mobile browser
• Timeline of web browsers
• Web browser history

References[link]

External links[link]

• Architecture of the World Wide Web, Volume One
• Existing browsers
• WorldWideWeb: Proposal for a HyperText Project

Nintendo 3DS

Developer	Nintendo
Manufacturer	Nintendo, Foxconn
Type	Handheld game console
Generation	Eighth generation
Release date	JP February 26, 2011[1] EU March 25, 2011[2] NA March 27, 2011[3] AU March 31, 2011[4]
Units shipped	Worldwide: 17.13 million (as of March 31, 2012)[5]
Media	Nintendo 3DS, DS and DSi Game Cards
CPU	Nintendo ARM
Storage capacity	Included 2 GB SD card 2 GB internal flash memory (1.5 usable) Cartridge save
Memory	128 MB FCRAM
Graphics	Digital Media Professionals PICA200 GPU[6][7]
Connectivity	2.4 GHz Wi-Fi IR[8]
Online services	Nintendo Network[9] Nintendo eShop Nintendo Video Swapnote Eurosport[10] Spot Pass Netflix Hulu Plus[11]
Best-selling game	Super Mario 3D Land (5.81 million units)[12]
Backward compatibility	Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi
Predecessor	Nintendo DS series (DS, DS Lite, DSi, and DSi XL)
Related articles	Famicom 3D System Virtual Boy

The Nintendo 3DS (ニンテンドー3DS, Nintendō Surī Dī Esu^?, abbreviated to 3DS) is a portable game console produced by Nintendo. The autostereoscopic device is able to project stereoscopic 3D effects without the use of 3D glasses or any additional accessories.^[13] The Nintendo 3DS features backward compatibility with Nintendo DS series software, including Nintendo DSi software.^[13] Announcing the device in March 2010, Nintendo officially unveiled it at E3 2010,^[13][14] with the company inviting attendees to use demonstration units.^[15] The console succeeds the Nintendo DS series of handheld systems^[13] and competes with Sony's PlayStation Vita console.^[16]

The Nintendo 3DS was released in Japan on February 26, 2011; in Europe on March 25, 2011; in North America on March 27, 2011;^[17][18] in Australia on March 31, 2011; and in Korea on April 28, 2012.^[19] On July 28, 2011, Nintendo announced a major price drop starting August 12. In addition, consumers who bought the system at its original price gained access to ten free Nintendo Entertainment System games starting September 1, 2011 and 10 free Game Boy Advance games starting December 16, 2011, from the Nintendo eShop.^[20]

History[link]

Nintendo had been experimenting with 3D technology since the late 1980s. Famicom Grand Prix II: 3D Hot Rally was the first game developed by Nintendo to take advantage of the technology, and utilized special goggles with a liquid crystal shutter in order to make images appear to pop out of the screen, giving them a 3D effect.^[21] In 1995, Gunpei Yokoi, the creator of the Game Boy, began developing the Virtual Boy. The system was released much earlier than intended, so that Nintendo could allocate more resources to the then-Ultra 64, and the Virtual Boy went on to become a commercial failure for Nintendo.^[22][23][24] Shigeru Miyamoto was dissatisfied with the wire-frame models the console displayed and practicality of the system, feeling that the concept was ahead of its time.^[25]

The failure of the Virtual Boy left many at Nintendo doubting the viability of 3D gaming.^[26] Despite this, Nintendo continued to investigate incorporating 3D technology into other products. The Nintendo GameCube, released in 2001, is Nintendo's second 3D capable system.^[27] Every GameCube system produced features the capability to display true stereoscopic 3D, but only the launch title Luigi's Mansion was designed to utilize the technology. As 3D displays were not widespread at the time and producing a compatible display was deemed prohibitively expensive to consumers, this functionality was never enabled.^[28]

Nintendo next attempted putting a display later used for the Nintendo 3DS into a Game Boy Advance SP.^[29] However, the resolution for such a display was not sharp and precise enough at the time, and Nintendo was not satisfied with the experiment.^[30] With the development of the Nintendo DS and at the insistence of Hiroshi Yamauchi, the company investigated achieving 3D visuals at an exhibition at Shigureden, a theme park.^[31] Visitors navigate around the park with the aid of guide software on a Nintendo DS system. Although nothing was produced, Nintendo was able to conduct extensive research and develop the methodology that was later used to develop the Nintendo 3DS.^[32]

Background[link]

Although it had been discussed before then, speculation about a true successor to the Nintendo DS series began to ramp up in late 2009. In mid-October, tech tabloid Bright Side of News reported that graphics processing unit (GPU) developer Nvidia had won the microprocessor contract for the device with its Nvidia Tegra system-on-a-chip series.^[33] Later that month, speaking about the future for Nintendo's portable consoles, company president Satoru Iwata mentioned that while mobile connectivity via subscription mobile broadband "doesn't fit Nintendo customers," he was interested in exploring an option similar to the Whispernet service for the Amazon Kindle, in which users are not charged for the mobile connectivity, and the costs are cross-subsidized.^[34]

Though Nintendo has expressed interest in including motion-sensing capabilities in its handhelds since before the release of the original Nintendo DS,^[35] in January 2010 an alleged comment by Satoru Iwata from an interview with Asahi Shimbun led to a minor dispute between the publication and Nintendo over whether Iwata confirmed that the successor to the Nintendo DS would incorporate a motion sensor.^[36] In February 2010, video gaming website Computer and Video Games reported that a select "handful" of Japanese developers were in possession of software development kits for the Nintendo DS successor, with The Pokémon Company given special priority. According to their insider at an unspecified third-party development studio, the hardware features a "tilt" function that is similar to that of the iPhone, "but does a lot more."^[37]

On March 23, 2010, Nintendo officially announced the Nintendo 3DS handheld console.^[13] According to industry analysts, the timing of Nintendo's original announcement, which had drawn attention away from the launch of the company's still-new Nintendo DSi XL handheld, was likely intended to preempt impending news leaks about the product by the Japanese press.^[38] In April 2010, a picture of a possible development build of the internal components of the 3DS was released as part of a U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filing by Mitsumi.^[39] An analysis of the image showed that it was likely genuine as it featured components known to be used in the Nintendo DS line along with features of the 3DS that had not been announced like a 5:3 top screen, and a control nub similar to those used in Sony PSP systems.^[40]

E3 2010 Unveiling[link]

The E3 unveiling involved an elaborate stage with moving set pieces.

In June 2010, video gaming website IGN reported that according to "several developers who have experienced 3DS in its current form", the system possesses processing power that "far exceed[s] the Nintendo Wii" and with 3D shaders, they could make games that "look close to current generation visuals on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3". They also cited "several developer sources" as saying that the system does not use the Nvidia Tegra mobile chipset.^[41]

The system was officially revealed at Nintendo's conference at E3 2010 on June 15, 2010. The first game revealed was Kid Icarus: Uprising, with several other titles from third parties also announced, including Square Enix with Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy, Konami with Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater 3D, Warner Bros. Interactive with a Batman title, Ubisoft with Assassin's Creed: Lost Legacy, Capcom with Resident Evil Revelations and Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, and Activision with DJ Hero. Other Nintendo titles were later revealed after the conference, such as Mario Kart 7, Animal Crossing, and remakes of Star Fox 64^[42] and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time.^[43] The 3DS design shown at E3 was almost final, but subject to minor changes.^[44]

Pre-launch events[link]

On September 29, 2010, Nintendo of Japan announced the release date of the Nintendo 3DS in Japan to be on February 26, 2011. Furthermore, several additional features were announced: the inclusion of a Mii Maker (similar to the Mii Channel on the Wii), Virtual Console (including Game Boy, Game Boy Color, and "classic games" in 3D), a cradle for recharging the system's battery, multitasking, several included augmented reality games, an included 2 gigabyte 2G SD card, and stored game data, as well as the final names for the 3DS tag modes, StreetPass and SpotPass collectively. The colors available at launch were revealed to be Aqua Blue and Cosmo Black, and the launch price in Japan was revealed to be ¥25,000.^[45] The final physical design was also revealed at this event.^[46]

On January 19, 2011, Nintendo held two simultaneous press conferences in Amsterdam and New York City, where they revealed all of the features of the Nintendo 3DS.^[47] In North America, the release date was confirmed as March 27, 2011 with a retail price of $249.99. In Europe, the release date was announced as March 25, 2011, though Nintendo said that pricing would be up to retailers. Most retailers have priced the handheld between £219.99 and £229.99,^[48] though some retailers, such as Amazon, have lowered the price following Sony's announcement of the PSP's successor on January 26, 2011,^[49] with some retailers pricing the handheld at around £200 as of February 2011^[update].^[50]

In February 2011, Nintendo held four hands-on events in the UK named "Believe Your Eyes". February 5 and 6 saw simultaneous events in London and Manchester, while the 12th and 13th saw events in Glasgow and Bristol. Invitations to the events were offered first to Club Nintendo members, then later to members of the public via an online registration form.^[51] Guests watched two brief performances and trailers, then were given time to play a selection of games on 3DS devices. Attendees were then allowed into a second room, containing further games to play (mainly augmented reality-based) and in-device videos.^[52]

In March, Nintendo held a few events in Australia at selected Westfield stores for people try out the console, with a number of demos available.

Release[link]

Nintendo sold its entire allotment of 400,000 Nintendo 3DS units during its February 2011 release in Japan amid reports of queue outside retailers and pre-order sellouts.^[53] The 3DS sold 374,764 units during the launch weekend of 26 February. In that week 119,591 copies of Professor Layton and the Mask of Miracle were sold, making it the best-selling 3DS launch title^[54]. It was also the third best-selling title from any system in that week.^[54]

Nintendo announced that first day sales for the Nintendo 3DS in the US were the largest of any Nintendo handheld device in history.^[55] According to the NPD Group, Nintendo sold just under 500,000 Nintendo 3DS units during the month of March 2011 in the US.^[56] 440,000 Nintendo 3DS units were sold in its first week of release.^[57]

In Europe, Nintendo sold 303,000 3DS units during its first two days of its release. In the UK 113,000 3DS units were sold during its opening weekend, making it Nintendo's most successful hardware launch in the country to this day.^[58]

As of March 31, 2011 the 3DS has sold 3.61 million units, short of the 4 million Nintendo was expecting.^[59]

Reports show that raw material costs for the Nintendo 3DS amount to US$101.^[60]

On July 14, 2011 a "Flare Red" Nintendo 3DS was released in Japan.^[61] In North America, the "Flare Red" version was released on September 9, 2011 under the name "Flame Red" to coincide with the release of Star Fox 64 3D.^[61] "Misty Pink"^[62] and "Ice White"^[63] 3DS models have also both been announced. In Australia "Flame Red" was released on September 22, 2011, "Lavender Pink" was released on November 17, 2011 and a limited edition Zelda 25th anniversary 3DS released on December 1, 2011.^[64][65] In Europe "Ice White" was bundled with Super Mario 3D Land and "Misty Pink" was bundled with Nintendogs + Cats, both released on November 18, 2011.^[66]

On July 28, 2011, Nintendo announced the Nintendo 3DS would be getting a price cut from $250 to $169.99 in North America, €250 to €169.99 in Europe, 25,000 yen to 15,000 yen in Japan, and $349.99 to $250 in Australia.^[67]

On January 30, 2012, Nintendo announced that the Pearl Pink Nintendo 3DS would release as a stand-alone item in the United States on February 10 for $169.99.^[68] On March 1 2012, Nintendo of Japan announced that a Cobalt Blue 3DS would be releasing in Japan on March 22. ^[69] Cobalt Blue is also available in Japan as the bundle with Fire Emblem: Kakusei. On April 30, 2012, Nintendo announced that a new Midnight Purple Nintendo 3DS will be made available in the United States on May 20. ^[70] On May 12, 2012, the Aqua Blue 3DS was discontinued in Japan, while all the other colors remain.^[71]

Hardware[link]

The Nintendo 3DS is based on a custom PICA200 graphics processor from a Japanese start-up Digital Media Professionals (DMP).^[72] It has two screens; the top screen is a 3.53 in (90 mm) 5:3 3D screen with a resolution of 800×240 pixels (400×240 pixels per eye, WQVGA) that is able to produce an autostereoscopic three-dimensional effect (one without 3D glasses) using a parallax barrier display, while the bottom screen is a 3.02 in (77 mm) 4:3 non-3D resistive touch panel with a resolution of 320×240 pixels (QVGA).^[73] The 3DS weighs approximately 230 grams (8.1 oz) and, when closed, is 134 mm (5.3 in) wide, 74 mm (2.9 in) broad, and 21 mm (0.83 in) thick.^[73]

The system features several additions to the design of the original DS, including a slider on the side of the device that adjusts the intensity of the 3D effect, a round nub analog input called the "Circle Pad", an accelerometer, and a gyroscope. The 3DS has two cameras on the outside of the device, capable of taking 3D photos and capturing 3D video, as well as a camera positioned above the top screen on the inside of the device which faces the player, capable of taking 2D photos and capturing 2D video; all cameras have a resolution of 640×480 pixels (0.3 megapixels). The system supports 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g Wi-Fi connectivity with enhanced security WPA2.^[74]

At launch, the Nintendo 3DS cards hold up to 2GB of game data and look almost exactly the same as those of the current DS. However, there is a small tab jutting out on the one side, which prevents 3DS cards from being inserted into a Nintendo DS.^[75]

On the issue of copyright infringement, game developer THQ claims that the Nintendo 3DS features sophisticated copy protection technology which Nintendo believes is able to significantly curb video game copyright infringement, which is claimed to have had increasingly depressed the handheld market with the proliferation of cheap flash memory and the rise in file sharing.^[76]

The system comes in color variations "Aqua Blue" and "Cosmo Black", as well as "Flame Red" (named "Metallic Red" in Europe), on July 14, 2011 in Japan, September 9, 2011 in North America^{[citation needed]} and September 22, 2011 in Australia. Another color is the "Misty Pink" color ("Coral Pink" in Europe), released on October 20, 2011 in Japan.^[62] On October 6, 2011 a fifth color was announced - the "Ice White" edition was released in Japan on November 3, 2011 and released in Europe on December 2 bundled along with 'Super Mario 3D Land'.^[77] On April 30, 2012 Nintendo of America announced a Midnight Purple 3DS to release on May 20 along with the game Mario Tennis Open^[78] On May 11, 2012, Nintendo announced that it would be discontinuing Aqua Blue.^[79]

[edit] Technical comparison

Comparison of the Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo DS game systems
	Nintendo 3DS	Nintendo DSi XL	Nintendo DSi	Nintendo DS Lite	Nintendo DS
Model
In production	Current	Current	Current	Current[80]	Discontinued
Launch Price	¥25,000 US$249.99[3] £/€ - Set by individual retailers[81] A$349.95[4]	¥20,000 US$189.99[82] €179.99 £159.99 A$299.95	¥18,900 US$169.99 €169.99 £149.99 A$299.95	¥16,800 US$129.99 €149.99 £99.99 A$199.95	¥15,000 US$149.99 €149.99 £99.99 A$199.95
Weight	235 grams (8.3 oz)[83]	314 grams (11.1 oz)	214 grams (7.5 oz)	218 grams (7.7 oz)	275 grams (9.7 oz)
Dimensions	134 mm (5.3 in) wide × 74 mm (2.9 in) deep × 21 mm (0.83 in) high[74]	161 mm (6.3 in) wide × 91.4 mm (3.60 in) deep × 21.2 mm (0.83 in) high	137 mm (5.4 in) wide × 74.9 mm (2.95 in) deep × 18.9 mm (0.74 in) high	133 mm (5.2 in) wide × 73.9 mm (2.91 in) deep × 21.5 mm (0.85 in) high	148.7 mm (5.85 in) wide × 84.7 mm (3.33 in) deep × 28.9 mm (1.14 in) high
Display	Autostereoscopic 3.53 in (90 mm)[74]	4.2 in (107 mm)	3.25 in (83 mm)	3.12 in (79 mm)	3.0 in (76 mm)
	3.02 in (77 mm)
	800 × 240 px (effectively 400 × 240 WQVGA per eye)	256 × 192 px (both screens)
	320 × 240 QVGA
	32-bit color	18-bit color out of 24-bit color		18-bit color
	5 brightness levels			4 brightness levels	Backlight On/Off toggle
Camera	One front-facing and two outward-facing 0.3 MP (VGA) sensors[74]	Front-facing and outward-facing 0.3 MP sensors		None
Physical controls	D-pad Push-buttons Touchscreen Circle Pad 3-axis accelerometer 3-axis gyroscope[74] Volume slider 3D depth slider Wireless communications switch	D-pad Push-buttons Touchscreen Volume slider/buttons Power slider/buttons
Connectivity	Integrated 802.11b/g Microphone IR port	Integrated 802.11b/g (only compatible with WEP or unencrypted networks while playing regular Nintendo DS games) Microphone[84]		Integrated 802.11b (only compatible with WEP or unencrypted networks) Microphone[85]
Stylus	Extendable up to 100 mm (3.9 in) long[74]	96 mm (3.8 in) long × 4.9 mm (0.19 in) wide	92 mm (3.6 in) long × 4.9 mm (0.19 in) wide	87.5 mm (3.44 in) long × 4.9 mm (0.19 in) wide	75 mm (3.0 in) long × 4 mm (0.16 in) wide
Card slots	3DS/DSi/DS, SD	DSi/DS, SD		DS, Game Boy Advance
Storage	Internal 2 GB NAND flash memory, 1.5 GB can be used	Internal 256 MB NAND flash memory		Internal 256 kB NAND flash memory
	2 GB SD Card included[86]	Expandable via SD card slot
Battery	3-5 hours, depending on screen brightness, Wi-Fi, sound volume, and 3D effect (1300 mAh)[74]	13-17 hours on the lowest brightness setting 4-5 hours on the brightest (1050 mAh)[87]	9-14 hours on the lowest brightness setting 3-4 hours on the brightest (840 mAh)[87]	15-19 hours on the lowest brightness setting 5-8 hours on the brightest (1000 mAh)[88]	6 to 10 hours (850 mAh)
	5-8 hours for DS compatibility mode
Memory	128 MB FCRAM[89]	16 MB PSRAM		4 MB SRAM
				Expandable via Game Boy Advance slot
Processor	Nintendo ARM	133 MHz ARM9 and 33 MHz ARM7		67 MHz ARM9 and 33 MHz ARM7
Graphics	PICA200 by Digital Media Professionals[90]	Nintendo proprietary
Region Locking	Regional lockout for Nintendo 3DS, DSiWare, and Nintendo DSi-enhanced software between Japan, America and Europe/Australia[91]	Regional lockout for DSiWare and Nintendo DSi-enhanced software[92]		All Nintendo DS hardware and software is region-free
Preloaded applications	DS Download Play[93] Nintendo 3DS Camera (Photo + Video Recording and Editing) Nintendo 3DS Download Play Nintendo 3DS Sound[94] Nintendo eShop Nintendo Video Nintendo Zone Activity Log[95] Game Notes Friends Menu Notifications Menu Internet Browser AR Games Face Raiders Mii Maker StreetPass Mii Plaza Swapnote (Nintendo LetterBox in PAL region) Eurosport (only in PAL region) Netflix	DS Download Play PictoChat Flipnote Studio Nintendo DSi Browser Nintendo DSi Camera Nintendo DSi Shop Nintendo DSi Sound Brain Age Express: Math Brain Age Express: Arts & Letters Photo Clock	DS Download Play PictoChat Flipnote Studio Nintendo DSi Browser Nintendo DSi Camera Nintendo DSi Shop Nintendo DSi Sound	DS Download Play PictoChat

Software Compatibility[96]
	Nintendo 3DS[a]	Nintendo DSi XL	Nintendo DSi	Nintendo DS Lite	Nintendo DS
3DS Software/Virtual Console[97]	Y	N	N	N	N
DSi Software/DSiWare[b]	Y	Y	Y	N	N
DS Software[c]	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
GBA Software	Some at Nintendo eShop [d]	N	N	Y	Y

^ a Only Nintendo 3DS software can be played in 3D. Nintendo DS and DSiWare software will be displayed in 2D on a Nintendo 3DS system.
^ b A system update for the Nintendo 3DS is required to access this feature.
^ c Select Nintendo DS games that use accessories in the Game Boy Advance slot of the Nintendo DS system are not compatible with the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DSi, or Nintendo DSi XL systems.
^ d GBA games available only via the eShop are playable on the Nintendo 3DS system (currently only for those who are in the Ambassadors program). Physical GBA cartridges remain incompatible.

Features[link]

Cameras[link]

The Nintendo 3DS features three cameras: a single camera on the front/inside of the system that can capture standard 2D images and two rear facing cameras on the back/outside of the system which can be used together to capture 3D images. These photos can be edited with various effects such as props, 3D depth and colors. On December 6, 2011, a system update was released which allows players to take up to ten minutes of 3D video footage. In addition to the normal mode, which is the only footage type that allows sound,^[98] there are three types of footage that a player can take: stop motion, interval (a time lapse effect), and montage. The stop motion, interval, and montage modes still only allow a single video to be 10 minutes long.

Activity Log[link]

The Activity Log tracks game-play and keeps a record of which games have been played, and for how long, as well as physical activity, such as counting every step taken while carrying a 3DS. The feature encourages walking more every day to earn Play Coins, at a maximum of 10 each day to a total of 300, which can be used with compatible games and applications to acquire special content and a variety of other benefits. Play Coins cannot be used in the Nintendo eShop.

[edit] Augmented reality

"Target Shooting" augmented reality tech demo at E3 2010.

Several augmented reality games, collectively titled AR Games are included on the 3DS with 6 paper cards that interact with the games. By scanning the QR codes shown on certain cards, real time graphics are augmented onto live footage. Aside from AR Games, other titles, such as Kid Icarus: Uprising and Nintendogs + Cats, include AR Cards which use these features.^[45]

Backward compatibility[link]

In addition to its own software, the Nintendo 3DS is backward compatible with Nintendo DS software, including DSi software. However, like the Nintendo DSi, the Nintendo 3DS is incompatible with DS software that requires the use of the Game Boy Advance port. Nintendo DS and DSi software cannot be played with 3D visuals on the 3DS. The original DS resolutions are displayed in a scaled and stretched fashion because the resolutions of the 3DS screens are larger than those of the DS. However, if the user holds down the START or SELECT buttons upon launching the DS software, the displays will be at the DS's native resolution, albeit smaller with black borders.^[99][100]

Virtual Console service[link]

It was announced at the Nintendo of Japan press event on September 29, 2010 that the 3DS will have a Virtual Console Service with Game Boy, Game Boy Color games, as well as "classic" games in 3D. At the 2011 GDC Nintendo announced that TurboGrafx 16, and Game Gear games would be available for Virtual Console.^[101] Purchases are made through the Nintendo eShop using a cash-based system instead of a points-based system as used for the Wii and DSi.^[102] It was released on June 6 in North America and June 7, 2011 in Europe^{[citation needed]} as part of a system update.^[103]

StreetPass and SpotPass Mode[link]

The system supports multiplayer gameplay via a local wireless connection or over the Internet. Expanding upon the connectivity of the Nintendo DS, the Nintendo 3DS features an "always on" background connectivity system that trademarks suggested was named "CrossPass",^[104] which can automatically seek and connect to wireless network nodes such as Wi-Fi hotspots, sending and downloading information in the background while in sleep mode or while playing a game. In Nintendo's September 29 conference, the confirmed Western names of the SpotPass Tag Mode service would be StreetPass and SpotPass, with SpotPass being the ability for the 3DS to seek Wi-Fi signals and automatically download content while in sleep mode and StreetPass being the passive communication between 3DS systems held by users, an example being the sharing of Mii avatars.^[105]

During the 2011 Game Developers Conference, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime announced that Nintendo has partnered with AT&T to provide free access to AT&T hotspots via the Nintendo 3DS. Users will be able to connect to these hotspots in late May.^[106]

The background connectivity allows users to exchange software content regardless of what software is currently in the console. Sharing content is stored in a "data slot" in the console. Using this data slot, Nintendo 3DS users can readily share and exchange content for multiple games at the same time, whenever they are connected, even when playing unrelated games.^[107] Using the console's background connectivity, a Nintendo 3DS in StreetPass Mode can automatically discover other 3DS units within range, establish a connection, and exchange content for mutually played games, all transparently and without requiring any user input, even when the console is dormant. For example, in Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition, if the user passes someone with the same software, they will initiate a battle to collect trophies from each other.^[108]

It can be customized to fit the user's preferences, including opting out of it altogether for selected software.^[109] One application being considered is functionality to "automatically acquire magazine and newspaper articles", similar to networked e-book reader applications.^[110] Other improvements to online functionality include how Friend Codes are implemented, with only one code necessary for each console, as opposed to the DS and Wii where individual Friend Codes are required for each piece of software.^[111]

Certain hotspots use the SpotPass to send a channel called "Nintendo Zone". In the Nintendo Zone app users can see game trailers, game screenshots, and information on games. After the player leave the hotspot the app stays.

A successor to Nintendo DS's PictoChat application for the Nintendo 3DS has been announced by Nintendo via a streaming conference on October 21, 2011. The successor is called Swapnote (in North America) or Nintendo Letter Box (in Europe), and it became available as a free download in December 2011. This application allows users to send 3D pictures, sound, and scribbled messages to registered friends via either StreetPass or SpotPass.^[112]

Video content[link]

The system also has 3D movie and video playback capability. Nintendo has made deals with Warner Bros, Disney, and DreamWorks to deliver 3D movies.^[113] Trailers for DreamWorks' How to Train Your Dragon, Warner Bros' Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, and Disney's film Tangled were shown on the 3DS during the E3 Expo.^[114] On September 29, 2010, Nintendo of Japan announced that it will be partnering with Fuji TV and other Japanese broadcasters to distribute free 3D videos to Japanese Nintendo 3DS owners.^[115][116] On January 19, 2011, Nintendo of Europe announced at their press conference that they will be partnering with EuroSport and Sky 3D to bring content to the Nintendo 3DS at a later date in 2011. Richard Goleszowski is also locked to bring exclusive 3D episodes of Shaun the Sheep to European Nintendo 3DS market by the end of the year. As part of an initial firmware update for the system, Nintendo 3DS systems in North America include the 3D version of the music video for "White Knuckles" from OK Go.^[117] The first film to be released for the 3DS is Tekken: Blood Vengeance, which will be included with Tekken 3D: Prime Edition.^[118]

Nintendo Video launched in Australia and Europe on July 13, 2011, initial videos included Oscar's Oasis and Magic Tricks for your Nintendo 3DS.^[119][120] It launched in North America on July 22, with the initial videos consisted of two short films (Sunday Jog and Dinosaur Office), a 3D trailer for Captain America: The First Avenger and an introduction to Nintendo Video. Videos are expected to be pushed to the service each week, with the content ranging from different video genres, 3D movie trailers, 3D music videos and much more.^[121]

Netflix streaming video service was released on the Nintendo 3DS in North America on July 14, 2011.^[122]

The December update added the ability to record up to 10 minutes of 3D video^[123] and stop motion animation.^[124]

Hulu Plus is also going to be released on the Nintendo 3DS.^[125]

Internet browser[link]

The Nintendo 3DS Internet Browser was made available in system update 2.0.0 on June 6 (NA),and June 7 (AUS,JP and EP) 2011.^[103]

Mii[link]

Miis are available on the system. Mii Maker will help users create a new Mii or import an existing Mii from the Wii, though 3DS-created Miis cannot be exported back to the Wii due to additional character parts. Mii Maker also allows users to create a Mii from a photo taken by one of the cameras. Miis can also be loaded by capturing special QR codes with one of the cameras. There is also a StreetPass Mii Plaza to house all the Miis the player has gathered in StreetPass or SpotPass Mode.

Circle Pad Pro[link]

Pictures of the device first appeared in Famitsu, where it explained that the add-on would add a second analog joystick and extra set of shoulder buttons and would be bundled with Monster Hunter Tri G. It will also include a black wrist strap similar to the Wii.^[126][127] The first game to support it was Monster Hunter Tri G in Japan and Resident Evil: Revelations in Europe and North America. Other titles announced to be compatible with the slide pad are Ace Combat 3D (Japan version only), Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D, Kid Icarus: Uprising, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance and Dynasty Warriors VS.^[128][129]

The Circle Pad Pro was released in Japan on December 10, 2011, January 27, 2012 in Europe, on February 2, 2012 in Australia, and in North America on February 7, 2012 and is not Region-locked.^[130]

E-Reader[link]

Nintendo is said to be developing a coordinated e-reader app for the 3DS and the Wii U, that will allow users to download e-books, magazines and newspapers onto both their 3DSes and Wii Us. However, this app will initially launch on the Wii U and thus will not be available on the 3DS until at least the 2012 holiday season.^[131]

Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program[link]

In response to lower than anticipated sales figures, Nintendo cut the price of the 3DS worldwide by almost a third in August 2011.^[132][133] In an effort to compensate those who had paid the original price, the company introduced the "Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors Program", through which existing 3DS owners were able to download ten NES games and ten Game Boy Advance games at no extra cost.^[132][134]

The 10 NES Virtual Console games are as follows:

• Balloon Fight
• Donkey Kong Jr.
• Ice Climber
• Metroid
• NES Open Tournament Golf
• Super Mario Bros.
• The Legend of Zelda
• Wrecking Crew
• Yoshi
• Zelda II: The Adventure of Link

The 10 Game Boy Advance games are as follows:

• F-Zero: Maximum Velocity
• Fire Emblem: The Sacred Stones
• Kirby & The Amazing Mirror
• Mario Kart: Super Circuit
• Mario vs. Donkey Kong
• Metroid Fusion
• Super Mario Advance 3: Yoshi's Island
• The Legend of Zelda: The Minish Cap
• Wario Land 4
• WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$