- Nintendo 3DS offers a new way to play, 3D without the need for special glasses. The 3D Depth Slider lets your determine how much 3D you want to see..
- Play 3D games and take 3D pictures with Nintendo 3DS. One inner camera and two outer cameras. Resolutions are 640 x 480 for each camera. Lens are single focus and uses the CMOS capture element..
- Connect to a deeper wireless experience with SpotPass and StreetPass, giving you more exclusive content and connecting you with other Nintendo 3DS users.
- Complete with an adjustable stylus, 6 AR cards, and fun built-in software such as Face Raiders, Nintendo 3DS Sound, and the Mii Maker application.
- Use Parental Controls to restrict 3D mode for children 6 and under.
Modern handheld gaming has long been dominated by Nintendo
and Sony. Each hardware manufacturer has multiple viable
offerings derived either directly, or evolving from
the respective DS and PlayStation Portable product
lines. All of these devices are impressive multifunctional
devices, with designs meant to encourage gameplay on the go,
integration with the Internet, backwards
compatibility to previous games, and so on, but each
goes about this in different ways. Taking a few minutes
to examine the main features, and getting more familiar with
available options, accessories and possible
limitations of each handheld is the optimal way to
determine which is the best choice for a player.
Handheld Console Choices
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Nintendo 3DS
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Nintendo 3DS View
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Nintendo DSi/DSi XL
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Nintendo DSi View
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PSP
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PlayStation Portable (PSP) View
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PSPgo
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PSPgo View larger
PlayStation Vita
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PlayStation Vita View
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Suggested Retail Price (prices may vary)
$169.99
$149.99/$169.99
$149.99 $199.99
$249.99 - $299.99
(February 2012)
Display Dual screen: upper -
3.53" LCD, lower - 3.02" LCD touch screen
Dual screen, backlit, 3.25"/4.2", LCD with 256
x 192 resolution
4.3" full transparent
3.8" full transparent
5" OLED multi-touch screen
Internal Usable Memory 64 MB
NA 64 MB
16 GB TBD
External Media Storage SD memory
card SD memory
card Sony Memory
Stick Duo Memory
stick micro New
proprietary "NVG" flash cards
Size 5.3" (l) x 2.9" (w) x 0.8"
(h) 5.4" (w) x
2.9" (l) x 0.74" (h) / 6.3" (w) x 3.6" (l) x
0.84" (h) 6.7 (w)
x 2.7" (w) x 0.7" (h)
5.0 (w) x 2.71" (h) x 0.65" (d)
7.2 (l) x 3.3" (w) x 0.73" (d)
Weight 8 oz.
7.5/11.1 oz. 6.7
oz. 5.5 oz.
TBD
Colors Aqua Blue, Flaming Red,
Cosmo Black 7.5
oz. Piano black
(other colors via bundles)
Piano black, Pearl white
Black (other colors to follow)
Backwards Compatibility Plays
most DS and DSi games
Plays all DS games
Plays all PSP games in UMD format, or available via download;
also plays downloadable PS1 games for PSP
Plays all PSP games available via download and PS1 games for PSP
Plays all PSP games available via download and PS1 games for PSP
Wireless Communications Supports
local Nintendo wireless connectivity between devices and
IEEE802.11 b/g Wi-Fi connectivity
Supports local Nintendo wireless connectivity between devices and
IEEE802.11 b/g Wi-Fi connectivity
Local ad hoc connectivity between PSP devices
and infrastructure Wi-Fi connection options
Local ad hoc connectivity between PSP devices
and infrastructure Wi-Fi connection options
3G support in one or two hardware releases; standard ad hoc
connectivity between devices and infrastructure Wi-Fi connection
options in both
Online Media Portal Nintendo
eShop Nintendo DSi
Shop PlayStation
Network
PlayStation Network
PlayStation Network
Streaming Video Netflix*
No
PSN movie rentals, and other video content
PSN movie rentals, and other video content
PSN movie rentals, and other video content
Internet Browser Built-in
Built-in Built-in
Built-in Built-in
Console Integration Yes, with Wii
Yes, with Wii Yes,
with PS3 Yes, with
PS3 Yes, with PS3
Game Media Game card and digital
download Game card
and digital download
UMD disc and digital download
Digital download
Digital download, alternate media TBD
Online Multiplayer Yes
Yes Yes
Yes Yes
Local Wireless Multiplayer Yes
Yes Yes
Yes Yes
Estimated Battery Life 3-8 hrs
3-14 hrs 4-6
hours 4-6 hours
TBD
Input Method Touch screen, face
and shoulder buttons, circle pad, motion/gyro
sensor Touch
screen, face and shoulder buttons
Analog stick, D-pad, face buttons and shoulder buttons
Analog stick, D-pad, face buttons and shoulder buttons
Front and rear touch inputs, 2 analog sticks, D-pad, face buttons
and shoulder buttons
Digital Camera(s) 3 (0.3
megapixels); 3D capabilities
2 (0.3 megapixels)
No No
2
Built-in Microphone Yes
Yes Yes
Yes Yes
Graphic Quality Top adjustable
3D screen - 800 x 240 resolution; lower screen - 320 x 240
resolution 256 x
192 resolution
480 x 272 resolution
(16:9 aspect ratio)
480 x 272 resolution
(16:9 aspect ratio)
960 x 544 resolution
(16:9 aspect ratio)
General Game Price Range
Standard:
$19.99 - $39.99
Downloads:
$1.99 - $4.99
Standard:
$19.99 - $39.99
Downloads:
$1.99 - $4.99
Standard:
$19.99 - $39.99
Downloads:
$1.99 - $4.99
Standard:
$19.99 - $39.99
Downloads:
$1.99 - $4.99
Standard:
$19.99 - $39.99
Downloads:
$1.99 - $4.99
Online Play and Functionality
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The wireless revolution in personal electronics has
made online functionality and connectivity to the
Internet a huge focus in handheld gaming. Every
handheld console has an online arena that has either been built
specifically for it, or that has been adapted to suit the needs
of online players. By utilizing these portals
players can greatly expand their chosen platform's
potential, maximize gaming fun and increase the
overall entertainment value of their devices.
Nintendo eShop logo The Nintendo eShop is
your one-stop shop for exciting downloadable games,
videos, applications, and so much more. Discover all-new 3D
software, plus legendary titles from gaming past
remastered in 3D. Revisit with classic portable
"Virtual Console" games starring Mario, Link, many
other faces from the Nintendo catalog of games. Gain access to
hundreds of previously released DSiWare games,
applications and much more. Browsing the Nintendo
eShop is incredibly easy, and fun. Find any title in
seconds, then view screenshots, game info, and even video
to help you make your purchase. You'll even find details and 3D
video of Nintendo 3DS games available at retail
stores. All games are able to be saved in your own
custom wishlist so you can always remember the
titles you want to get.
DSiWare logo DSiWare through the DSi Shop is a
service that allows DSi players to download games and
applications directly to their handheld console in exchange for
DSi Points purchased through a local retailer. Experience new and
innovative gameplay, fresh takes on the classics-and much more.
Just shop, download, and enjoy. Visiting the DSi Shop is easy,
just establish wireless broadband connection, click on the
Nintendo DSi Shop icon from your menu screen and browse the shop
and use Nintendo DSi Points. Games and applications can be saved
to SD cards (sold separately).
PlayStation Network logo
PlayStation Network is an all access pass not only to a world of
gaming, but also one of entertainment at-large. The service is
100% free, only requiring a PlayStation handheld (or
a PS3) and a broadband connection to the Internet
Once you are in visit the PlayStation Store where
users can download games, first run and classic movies, previews,
DLC add-ons for games, game demos, music and original PlayStation
oriented streaming video content. Purchases can be made using a
credit card or a PlayStation Network Card purchased
offline. Content can be stored on external media or
within the hard drive of the PSPgo.
* Existing Netflix unlimited membership account
required.