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30,389 commentsAll Nintendo 3DS discounts and offers overview - July 2023
Nintendo 3DS price comparison from £68.26
Nintendo 3DS: Handheld Console
The Nintendo 3DS has a wide range of new or improved features that its predecessor didn't have. These include the Nintendo Network powered SpotPass and StreetPass tag modes; augmented reality – enabled through its 3D cameras- as well as Virtual Console, a feature which allows for the downloading and playing of games which were originally released on older Nintendo video game systems. The Nintendo 3DS also comes pre-loaded with various other applications such as the Nintendo eShop - an online distribution store - an Internet Browser, YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu Plus video services, a social network service named Miiverse, Nintendo Video, a messaging application called Nintendo Letter Box (or Swapnote in the US and Asia), and the Mii Maker.
Portable 3D Video Game Technology
Nintendo has been experimenting with stereoscopic 3D video game technology since the 1980s. The company has previous attempted to create consoles that utilised this form of technology, such as the Famicom 3D System, released in Japan in 1988, and the Virtual Boy, a portable, table-top version of the hugely popular Gameboy, which was released in 1995. Unfortunately, both of these devices were commercially unsuccessful due to the expense of the necessary technology.
The Nintendo GameCube, released in 2001, was another 3D capable system, but the appropriate peripheral technology at the time was too expensive for it to be utilised fully, so Nintendo never marketed its capabilities to the public. Only one game, Luigi's Mansion, was ever released using the GameCube's full 3D capacity.
In 2009, as speculation began to ramp up regarding the successor to the hugely popular Nintendo DS, the company had made significant progress in the development of 3D technology that was much more affordable for the consumer and commercially viable for Nintendo itself. When the Nintendo 3DS was first released in March 2011, sales were at first much slower than anticipated. So as a result, Nintendo slashed the price just six months after its released. This new pricing policy was a resounding success and within two years the Nintendo 3DS went on to become one of the company's most successful handheld devices ever.
Following the success of the 3DS, there have been several additions to the 3DS family. In July 2012, the Nintendo 3DS XL was released with a 90% larger screen, the "entry-level" Nintendo 2DS, which utilised similar technology and software though without the 3D capacity, was released in October 2013, and one year later they the New Nintendo 3DS, and an accompanying New Nintendo 3DS XL, featuring a more powerful CPU amongst various other features. The Nintendo 3DS family has so far sold over 61.57 million units worldwide, significantly more than its closest competitor in the handhelds market, Sony's PS Vita, and it looks set to remain a firm fixture in the video game world for some time to come.
Features of the New Nintendo 3DS XL
Let's Get Technical
Here's a brief overview of the technical specifications of the different members of the Nintendo 3DS family.
The Original Nintendo 3DS:
Operating system: Nintendo 3DS system software
CPU: Dual-Core ARM11 MPCore, single-core ARM9
Memory: 128MB FCRAM, 6MB VRAM
Storage: 1GB internal flash memory
Removable storage: Included 2GB SD card
Upper display size: 76 x 46mm / 2.99 x 1.81 inch LCD widescreen display
Resolution: 800 x 240 pixels
Lower display size: 61 x 46mm / 2.4 x 1.81 inch LCD Touch Screen
Resolution: 320 × 240 pixels
Size height: 74mm
Length: 135mm
Depth: 20mm (when closed)
Weight 230g (including battery, SD memory card, and stylus)
Power source: Battery pack, AC adapter
Charge time: Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes
Graphics: Digital Media Professional PICA200 GPU
Sound Stereo speakers with pseudo-surround support
Camera: One user-facing and two front-facing VGA cameras with an active pixel count of approximately 300,000 pixels
Input/Output: Game Card slot, SD Card slot, charging cradle terminal, stereo headphone output jack and an AC adapter connector
Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Infrared
Nintendo 3DS XL:
The Nintendo 3DS XL was intended as a complement to the Nintendo 3DS, rather than a replacement and, accordingly, the majority of the tech specs for this one are the same as the 3DS. The 3DS XL does have a slightly longer battery life and the buttons and circle pad are larger and thicker than on the 3DS but, as the name suggests, the biggest difference is the size of the screen and the overall size of the device.
Upper display size: 106 x 64mm / 4.2 x 2.5 inch Widescreen LCD display
Resolution: 800 x 240 pixels
Lower display size: 106 x 64mm / 4.2 x 2.5 inch LCD Touch Screen
Resolution: 320 × 240 pixels
Size height: 93mm
Length: 156mm
Depth: 22mm (when closed)
Weight: 336g (including battery, stylus and SD Card)
Nintendo 2DS:
Intended as an entry-level version of the 3DS, the Nintendo 2DS comes with similar functionality, almost entirely identical hardware, and compatibility with Nintendo 3DS software. One main difference was the 2DS's slate form, as opposed to the clamshell design used for the 3DS and 3DS XL. The most crucial difference was that it lacked the signature Nintendo 3DS autostereoscopic 3D display.
Operating system: Nintendo 3DS system software
CPU: Dual-core ARM11 MPCore
Memory: 128MB FCRAM, 6MB VRAM
Storage: Included (1) 4GB SD card, (2) 1GB internal flash memory, (3) Cartridge save
Upper display size: 77 x 46mm / 3.1 x 1.8 inch LCD widescreen display
Resolution: 400 x 240 pixels
Lower display size: 61 x 46mm / 2.4 x 1.8 inch resistive LCD touchscreen
Resolution: 320 × 240 pixels
Size width: 144mm
Height: 127mm
Depth: 20.3mm
Weight: 260g
Power source: Battery pack, AC adapter
Charge time: Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes
Graphics: Digital Media Professional PICA200 GPU
Sound: Mono speaker, Microphone
Camera: One user-facing and two front-facing VGA cameras with an active pixel count of approximately 300,000 pixels
Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Infrared
Power: 1300mAh lithium-ion battery
New Nintendo 3DS:
Released in Europe in early 2015, the New Nintendo 3DS featured a number of improvements upon the previous systems. These improvements include increased RAM, upgraded processors, an analogue pointing stick (named a C-Stick), face detection for the optimisation of the autostereoscopic 3D display and two additional shoulder triggers (ZL and ZR). It also included a built-in NFC, a 4GB microSD card and a few minor changes to the design, such as face plates for the smaller model and coloured face buttons.
Operating system: Nintendo 3DS system software
CPU: 804MHz ARM11 MPCore quad-core
Memory: 256MB (of which, 64MB is dedicated to the Operating System), 10MB VRAM
Storage: Included (1) 1GB internal flash memory, (2) 4GB SD card, (3) Cartridge save
Upper display size: 85 x 51mm / 3.3 x 2.0 inch 3D-enabled LCD widescreen display
Resolution: 800 x 240 pixels
Lower display size: 68 x 51mm / 2.7 x 1.8 inch resistive LCD touchscreen
Resolution: 320 × 240 pixels
Size width: 142mm
Height: 81mm
Depth: 22mm
Weight: 253g
Power source: Battery pack, AC adapter
Charge time: Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes
Graphics: Digital Media Professional 804MHz
Sound: Stereo speakers, Microphone
Camera: One user-facing and two front-facing VGA cameras with an active pixel count of approximately 300,000 pixels
Connectivity: 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Infrared
New Nintendo 3DS XL:
As with the "old" 3DS and 3DS XL, the New Nintendo 3DS XL was meant as a complement to the New Nintendo 3DS, coming with the same hardware, as well as functionality and software compatibility, all in a larger size.
Upper display size: 106 x 64mm / 4.2 x 2.5 inch 3D-enabled LCD widescreen display
Resolution: 800 x 240 pixels
Lower display size: 85 x 64mm / 3.3 x 2.5 inch LCD Touch Screen Resolution: 320 × 240 pixels
Size width: 160mm / 6.1 inch
Height: 93mm / 3.7 inch
Height: 93mm / 3.7" inch
Depth: 22mm / 0.8 inch (when closed)
Weight 329g (including battery, stylus and SD Card)
Choosing the Right Nintendo 3DS System For You
When it comes to choosing which member of the Nintendo 3DS family is best for you, a host of considerations need to be made. The price is, naturally, one of the biggest considerations for most of us. Since the launch of the New Nintendo 3DS, the price of the original system has been cut by many retailers, so if you're counting the pennies, then this may be something to keep in mind.
If you're buying a system for children to use, then many parents are opting for the Nintendo 2DS. With less moving parts, the 2DS's tablet form means that it is more difficult to break than the hinge-based clamshell design of the 3DS, very valuable for parents concerned about over-excited children damaging the item.
If the 3D capability is the biggest draw of the Nintendo 3DS for you, then the New Nintendo 3DS (or 3DS XL), with its super stable 3D technology may be the best choice for you. It uses its front-facing camera to track the user's face and it automatically adjusts the 3D to the angle that the 3DS is in relation to your face. In practice, this improved 3D technology is far better than that of its predecessor and it has made it much easier to play games with the 3D turned on when you're on the move. Previously, it would have been difficult to use your 3DS with the 3D turned on if you were using it on a moving train or a public bus, for example. The 3DS capability is, of course, far from perfect and, because it is tracking the user's eye and head movement unless you hold it perfectly still, the 3D isn't quite spot on for those wearing glasses. Nonetheless, when it gets it right, the 3D is crystal clear and displays far richer colours than the original 3DS.
Screen Size Matters
Given that the XL versions of both the original Nintendo 3DS and the New Nintendo 3DS have the same features as their smaller counterparts, choosing between the regular sized and larger systems is mostly a matter of cosmetic tastes and of comfort.
Due to the fact that the XL version, by very definition, is larger, it has more room to space out the features and controls, meaning it could be more comfortable for many gamers to use. The stylus on the XL is longer and fatter, which again, could make it more user-friendly. If your hands are on the large side, the bigger form might also mean that it's easier for you to manage in general.
If it's looks and style that you're in search of, then the regular sized 3DS is by far the more aesthetically pleasing of the two system sizes, simply by being smaller and sleeker.
Probably the size that matters most, however, is the display screen size. When put next to each other, the XL looks enormous next to the regular Nintendo 3DS. The display size has no effect on the screen resolution. The image is simply stretched across a larger screen. This can be sometimes noticeable, in particular with text and 2D images. However, there is a pay off with the larger screens, in particular when playing polygonal games. When referring to the New Nintendo 3DS systems, the super stable 3D functionality looks much better on a larger screen.
Any Colour You Like
Colour is one of the most cosmetically distinctive and personal considerations for when it comes to selecting a 3DS system. All members of the Nintendo 3DS family have been produced in a wide range of colours. However, unless you're looking for a discontinued colour, a limited edition, or you're prepared to shell out the extra money paying for a Japanese import (Nintendo has produced by far the widest range of colours for the Japanese market), 3DS users in Europe are confined to a range of around five or six colour combinations, depending on which particular system it is. Naturally, this is a matter of personal taste. If you're not too fussed about the colour, of course, this leaves you open to finding a better deal.
Nintendo 3DS Accessories
As one can imagine, there are plenty of accessories for all the different members of the Nintendo 3DS family. There is, of course, the usual line-up of cases, protectors, carriers, speakers, headphones, and wallets, as well as cleaning kits, which are probably worth buying, simply to save from, or at least delay, any future hassle from dust building up inside the system and dirt becoming engrained on the buttons or screen.
Nintendo 3DS vs Sony PlayStation Vita
Every big brand needs its arch rival, especially in the world of video games. In the 1980s, it was the Commodore 64 vs. the ZX Spectrum. In the 1990s, it was the Super Nintendo vs. the Sega Megadrive. For the Nintendo 3DS, their closest rival is the Sony PS Vita. The chances are, if you play a handheld video game today, it'll be either the 3DS or the PS Vita. So, how do you choose between the two? Here's a handy guide of the technical specifications of the PlayStation Vita:
Height: 84mm
Length: 182mm
Depth: 19mm
Weight: 279g
Display: 960 x 544 @ 221 ppi
Processor: ARM cortex A9 Quad-core 800MHz
Graphics: Quad-core 33m polygons per second
RAM: 512MB
Storage: PS Vita card (not included)
Wireless: Wi-Fi 3G and Wi-Fi
Battery life: 3.5 hours
Backwards compatibility: Digital only
As you can see, while the Nintendo 3DS is lighter and smaller, meaning it's more portable, the PlayStation Vita has a sharper display, more processing power, better graphics and more RAM. However, the real deal-breaker here for many could be the issue of backwards compatibility. For PS Vita owners, if you want to transfer your favourite game, it'll mean having to buy a new digital copy. That's not so with the Nintendo 3DS. Also, the PS Vita contains no internal storage and the special storage card must be bought separately, meaning the Vita incurs additional costs.
It's also worth bearing in mind that the two systems are aimed at different audiences. The PlayStation Vita is more geared towards hardcore gamers, whereas the Nintendo 3DS has many more child-friendly games. Having said that, adults will also find plenty of fun games for the Nintendo 3DS.
How to Save Money Buying a Nintendo 3DS
There is a whole host of places where you can buy a Nintendo 3DS both in-store and online. Most of the biggest names in retail including Amazon, Curry's, Argos, John Lewis, and, of course, the Nintendo Store itself. Especially ones that are as popular as the Nintendo 3DS, so it's definitely worth having a shop around before you make an actual purchase, just to make sure you get the best deal that you possibly can.
If you know where to look, you can pretty much always find really good deals on Nintendo 3DS systems, whatever time of year it is. There are, however, particular times of year that are better than others. It goes without saying that you can find a good bargain on a handheld device like the 3DS during the January Sales. But the best time to pick up a Nintendo 3DS for a huge discount is the last weekend of November when the international shopping phenomenon that is Black Friday arrives. Black Friday hails the beginning of a weekend long orgy of price slashing on top-of-the-range goods and products of all and every kind. That weekend, which finishes with Cyber Monday, marks the semi-official start of the Christmas shopping period. During this time, in late November and onwards, retailers are all competing for your cash. This makes it the perfect time to get a 3DS at a dramatically reduced price.
Nintendo 3DS Discounts at HotUKDeals
If you're looking for a great deal on a Nintendo 3DS of any size or model, be sure to keep up to date with the latest and best online offers, discounts, promo codes and more here at HotUKDeals. Why pay more when you can get a really great deal?