3D is becoming all the rage and this is also now extending into the gaming market. The release of the latest Nintendo hand held console, the Nintendo 3DS is the first of its kind in bringing 3D gaming to the hand held market. What’s more you don’t even need 3D glasses to play it. How does it work? Well it uses a 3D slider and an improved LCD display to give a 3D effect on compatible games and can also be adjusted to change the effect to suit them. It has other options as well as the 3D functionality. It included full analogue control in 3D games, motion and gyro sensors that transfer the motion of the console into the game to control characters and other game options. It has a telescopic stylus, 3D camera functionality and is fully backwards compatible so you can still play your old games. Here are some of the new features in more details:-

3D Screen

As with other DS’s the 3Ds uses two screens, an upper and a lower screen. The lower screen features the touch screen technology as in previous versions and it is the upper screen that uses the 3D technology. This upper screen has a different resolution giving half the pixels to each eye which induces the 3D effect. This means the picture actually sinks back into the depth of the screen giving the 3D effect. This makes games more intuitive as you can now see this 3rd dimension in compatible games making them more fun and enthralling.

3D Depth Slider

The 3D depth slider is new and is used to help get the most out of the 3D option. The slider allows the user to adjust the intensity of the 3D settings to make them optimal for the game and the users eyes. This gets the most out of the 3D option for each user that plays the 3DS. It can even be turned off completely if the user wants this. Each game can still be played in 2D and 2D games are still compatible with the Nintendo 3DS

Motion Sensor and Gyro Sensor

The 3Ds brings motion and gyro sensors to the handheld Nintendo market. As with other handheld devices such as the iphone, the 3DS can now utilize motion and tilt options of the console itself to control the games. So twisting and turning or raising and lowering the console will have different effects on the games. This makes playing these games more realistic as you fully interact with it.

Circle Pad Analogue Control

There is a new circular control pad above the usual DS controls on the left hand side to enable you to fully control the 3Ds with a thumb. This gives full analogue control and combined with the touch screen, traditional control buttons, camera and microphone input and the motion and gyro controls the potential for input to this 3Ds is second to none.

3D Camera Functionality

As with previous DS’s there is an internal camera facing the user to enable them to take pictures. There are now 2 external cameras though which capture the world in 3D as the eyes would see it. This allows for the creation of 3D pictures. The cameras each have 640 x 480 resolution with a single focus lens.

Adjustable Stylus

The style is now telescopic. It can be adjusted to a length that is most suitable for the user to make ease of operation better for the user.

Cradle Charging

There is now a docking cradle that comes with the Nintendo 3DS. so once you have finished playing you can dock it and it will start charging. You can even leave the 3DS in sleep mode so that even while charging it can interact with the SpotPass system which is described below.

StreetPass

StreePass can interact better than ever with other 3DS systems allowing you to swap game data and characters like your Mii characters with other users simply and easily.

SpotPass

This feature allows the 3DS to connect to and detect wireless hotspots easier and is then able to download free software, game data and other information, all when the DS is in sleep mode or on the docking charger.

2GB SD Memory Card Included

There is a 2GB SD card included meaning you can store lots of photos, game data and other information. There is also SDHC card compatibility allowing you to increase the storage space.

Backwards Compatibility

Most games from previous DS’s and DSi’s are able to be played on the new 3DS. Obviously older games won’t have the 3D functionality but with just 2D improvements in the screen the games should play better.

Wireless Communications

Wireless is also built in allowing the user to connect to the internet and use the StreetPass and SpotPass features easily and securely.

Specification

• Size (when closed) – 2.9″ high, 5.3″ long, 0.8″ deep.
• Weight – Approximately 8 ounces (including battery pack, stylus, SD memory card).
• Upper 3D Display – 3.53″ (3.02″ wide x 1.81″ high) with 800 x 240 pixel resolution, range of 16.77 million colors and 400 pixels are allocated to each eye to enable 3D viewing.
• Lower Screen – 3.02″ (2.42″ wide, 1.81″ high) with 320 x 240 pixel resolution and range of 16.77 million colors.
• Cameras – 3 (2 facing out, 1 facing in), each with 640 x 480 resolution capability; single focus lenses using the CMOS capture element; active pixel count is approximately 300,000 pixels.
• Wireless Functionality – 2.4 GHz, supporting IEEE802.11 b/g with the WPA/WPA2 security features.
• Input Controls – A/B/X/Y Button, + control pad, L/R button, START/SELECT, Circle Pad (enabling 360-degree analogue input), Touchscreen, embedded microphone, Camera, Motion sensor, Gyro sensor.
• Other Input Controls – 3D Depth Slider (enabling smooth adjustment of the 3D level effect), HOME (HOME button brings up the HOME menu), Wireless switch (can disable wireless functionality even during game play), POWER button.
• Parental Controls – Enable parents to restrict game content by ratings as well as use of specific wireless connectivity, 3D functionality, etc.
• System Transfer – Enable users to transfer already purchased software from one Nintendo 3DS system to another. DSiWare purchased for the Nintendo DSi or the Nintendo DSi XL can also be transferred into a Nintendo 3DS system.
• Built-in Software – Includes: the Nintendo 3DS Camera, Nintendo 3DS Sound, Mii Maker, StreetPass, Mii Plaza, AR Games, Activity Log, Face Raiders, etc.
• Connector – Game Card slot, SD Card slot, Cradle connector, AC adapter connector, Audio jack (stereo output).
• Sound – Stereo speakers positioned to the left and right of the top screen (supports virtual surround sound).
• Stylus – Telescoping stylus (approximately 3.94″ when fully extended).
• Electric Power – AC adapter (WAP-002 [USA]). Nintendo 3DS Battery Pack (lithium ion battery) [CTR-003].
• Approximate Charge Time – 3.5 hours.
• Approximate Battery Duration – 3-5 hours (3DS software), 5-8 hour (DS software and/or with lowered brightness settings).
• Game Card – Nintendo 3DS Game Card. The size is approximately the same as Nintendo DS Game Card.