Nintendo 3DS

 3DS
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 98 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 80 out of 98
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 98
  3. Negative: 14 out of 98
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  1. Amathev
    Sep 23, 2015
    10
    This is a lackluster of a console. The software and online feels really oudated, like playing something from 2002. Downloaded content is not synced to your account, meaning that if you lose your 3DS, you are out of luck and have to re-buy what you bought before.

    A lot of the most popular games are rehashes of older great games, but I just couldn't find them as interesting as I did back    This is a lackluster of a console. The software and online feels really oudated, like playing something from 2002. Downloaded content is not synced to your account, meaning that if you lose your 3DS, you are out of luck and have to re-buy what you bought before.

    A lot of the most popular games are rehashes of older great games, but I just couldn't find them as interesting as I did back then.
    I don't want to say I've "grown up", but these games are outdated and appeal too much nostalgia without innovation. They're only visually interesting, but you'd get the same experience out of playing what you had on the SNES.

    I can't at all understand the praise for some of the highest ratest games. Bravely Default, Xenoblade Chronicles had TERRIBLE stories and gameplay.

    All in all I enjoyed the gameplay of Mario Kart 7 and Fire Emblem: Awakening, but that is no reason to buy this console.    … Expand
  2. jdkipfer
    Jun 10, 2011
    10
    The 3ds is incredible, and well worth the price. It has glasses free 3d that works well, great motion controls, a pedometer that unlocks bonus content, improved web browser over the DSi, Improved eShop over DSI and Wii, Faster Internet, ability to download trailers, ability to download classic Gameboy and Gameboy Colour titles, 2 free games, AR games and capability, being able to transferThe 3ds is incredible, and well worth the price. It has glasses free 3d that works well, great motion controls, a pedometer that unlocks bonus content, improved web browser over the DSi, Improved eShop over DSI and Wii, Faster Internet, ability to download trailers, ability to download classic Gameboy and Gameboy Colour titles, 2 free games, AR games and capability, being able to transfer games from a DSi to the 3ds, Streetpass (exchanging data with someone as you walk past them), Spotpass (Downloading when the system is closed), an analog stick, a home button that lets you pause the game to go onto the Internet or something, built-in game notes, universal friend codes, tons of space on the menu, 3d photos, Incredible design, Greatly improved resolution, much nicer presentation and a lot more, all done incredibly well.… Expand
  3. cub317
    Mar 18, 2012
    10
    The Nintendo 3DS is the best handheld gaming console I have ever owned! It has so many great features and games that keep me begging for more 3D action!
  4. EFYevan
    Mar 13, 2012
    10
    The best system I have ever owned - I can play all my favorite Nintendo games on it, and the 3D is fantastic! I highly recommend this system to everyone!
  5. Zilcell
    Jun 3, 2012
    10
    The 3DS is a handheld that is alredy producing graphics that are as good as the Wii. The graphics in Super Mario 3D Land combined with the 3D make it look even greater than Super Mario Galaxy 2. It has some great games like SM3D Land, Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D, and Kid Icarus Uprising. The online is terrific.I've had no problems connecting. It has some extra mini-games that reallyThe 3DS is a handheld that is alredy producing graphics that are as good as the Wii. The graphics in Super Mario 3D Land combined with the 3D make it look even greater than Super Mario Galaxy 2. It has some great games like SM3D Land, Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D, and Kid Icarus Uprising. The online is terrific.I've had no problems connecting. It has some extra mini-games that really show off the 3D as well such as the AR cards which can display augumented reality. The 3D is absolutely jaw-dropping. I was amazed how much depth can be added to a game with it. It is also backwards compatible with DS games, and it actually improves the clarity of them. Try using the 3DS analog stick on game like Super Mario 64 DS. The movement is much more smoother. This is a perfect handheld console and lets hope the Vita will do good as well.… Expand
  6. Acesonnall
    Dec 20, 2012
    10
    Great Graphics? Check!
    Fantastic Games? Check!
    An Abundant Amount of Game? Check!
    Unique, but useful features? Check!
    Touch Screen + Traditional Button Layout? Check!
    An online shop? Check!
    Etc etc.

    Seriously, there isn't anything this system does have. The only way it wouldn't appeal to someone is if the person has never actually played it or if they don't like Nintendo at all.
  7. Tjackson31692
    Mar 1, 2013
    10
    An excellent system with a whole lot of new features and fantastic graphics! Many of the games are great and take good use of the 3D, witch doesn't so much as pop out as it does look like a diorama. But the battery isn't very good and the games cost significantly more that regular DS games.
  8. Piplup1144
    Nov 24, 2012
    10
    The 3ds is like a game library where I could hold my favorite games in one hand-held console. With this, I can play games in 3D. But when I play in 3D it seems like it's just plain blurry. But everything else seems cool to me. A eshop is where we can download games. Some of these games can only be downloaded, so it kind of makes it a problem for the people who doesn't have internet or isThe 3ds is like a game library where I could hold my favorite games in one hand-held console. With this, I can play games in 3D. But when I play in 3D it seems like it's just plain blurry. But everything else seems cool to me. A eshop is where we can download games. Some of these games can only be downloaded, so it kind of makes it a problem for the people who doesn't have internet or is unable to connect. One good about the eshop is that we can now play old games like super mario bros from the NES. The 3ds is a console that is worth it, but if you think it's not big enough, then buy the 3ds XL, which has a bigger screen than the 3ds.… Expand
  9. MrKei2237
    Sep 14, 2013
    10
    Great system I have ever owned. I give this system 10 out of 10.
    I bought it to play ''Super Mario 3D Land'' .
    Graphics is Great.It has abundant titles.I think that It evolved from DS.You must buy this system.
  10. Sindi
    Jan 2, 2014
    10
    This is without any doubt, the best Nintendo hand-held system, it got teh remake of the best game ever, the first 3D Pokémon game, YouTube, Miiverse, good graphics and the first Smash Bros for a hand-held system
  11. Beastprogamer
    Feb 26, 2015
    10
    New dimension in 3D. The Nintendo 3DS is a must own for any gamer. I have both Aqua blue and Cosmo Black and had it since 2011. The games on shelfs are awesome. If only if CoD was on a 3DS... Still a 10/10. If you are a fan of Nintendo and don't own a system in the 3DS family, you are silly as hell. It is the best handheld EVER! My first 3DS game was Super Mario 3D Land. I play my 3DS allNew dimension in 3D. The Nintendo 3DS is a must own for any gamer. I have both Aqua blue and Cosmo Black and had it since 2011. The games on shelfs are awesome. If only if CoD was on a 3DS... Still a 10/10. If you are a fan of Nintendo and don't own a system in the 3DS family, you are silly as hell. It is the best handheld EVER! My first 3DS game was Super Mario 3D Land. I play my 3DS all the time when I am on the go.… Expand
  12. Silverzapper
    Mar 9, 2016
    10
    I don't even know how I would function without this system. I take it everywhere I go. It has masterpieces such as Mario Kart, Animal Crossing and many more. I strongly recommend checking out the Nintendo Eshop. There are some great titles for as low as 5 dollars. Seriously if you don't own one of these then you're missing out!
  13. Oludara
    Apr 6, 2016
    10
    This is one of the best consoles I've ever seen! First of all, they have themes to decorate your home screen. They also have badges (via. Nintendo to make it stylish and more. If you don't like 3D get a 2DS! If you want better CPU and graphics get a New Nintendo 3DS! They have a huge selection of games and an E-shop. It's affordable $100 for a 2DS and $200 for a New Nintendo 3DS XL. BestThis is one of the best consoles I've ever seen! First of all, they have themes to decorate your home screen. They also have badges (via. Nintendo to make it stylish and more. If you don't like 3D get a 2DS! If you want better CPU and graphics get a New Nintendo 3DS! They have a huge selection of games and an E-shop. It's affordable $100 for a 2DS and $200 for a New Nintendo 3DS XL. Best of all it has backwards compatibility with Nintendo DS one of the best consoles. And its Nintendo you can play games like Mario, Zelda, Fire Emblem, Pokemon, etc. That's why the Nintendo 3DS is sooo good!… Expand
  14. UsrnameRay
    Apr 22, 2016
    10
    This is nintendo's finest system yet, and proves that console quality games can be on a handheld, as well as that handheld gaming is far from dead. Features include: Camera, 3D visuals (glasses free), Music player, Youtube, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Eshop, Internet browser and much more. But we dont buy systems for the features, do we? We get them for GAMES! and Boy does it have games. to nameThis is nintendo's finest system yet, and proves that console quality games can be on a handheld, as well as that handheld gaming is far from dead. Features include: Camera, 3D visuals (glasses free), Music player, Youtube, Netflix, Hulu Plus, Eshop, Internet browser and much more. But we dont buy systems for the features, do we? We get them for GAMES! and Boy does it have games. to name the best of the best: The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, Monster Hunter 3&4, Zelda ocarina of time 3d and majora's mask 3d, Hyrule Warriors, Resident Evil, and much much MUCH more. With a low price point and cheap games, there is no reason to not own one TODAY.… Expand
  15. parzival_2
    Dec 9, 2021
    10
    the 3ds was my first step into gaming. Of course, before that I can already do something like that with other friends, but the 3ds was my first console/handheld. Therefore, my opinion is rather associated with a lot of nostalgia. But still I play TODAY even though there is such a thing as smartphones :D....

    Buy the **** guys
  16. iamtrent424
    Jan 13, 2012
    9
    The 3ds is now an awesome device. They updated a lot of stuff and now the 3ds has better games and an really great future games line up and apps. the 3ds is the thing to have . Good apps like swapnotes make the 3ds The future of handheld games. +3D is Great the 3d is really great and the game looks better in 3D. It brings the graphics to life. +Great apps. the apps on the 3d improvedThe 3ds is now an awesome device. They updated a lot of stuff and now the 3ds has better games and an really great future games line up and apps. the 3ds is the thing to have . Good apps like swapnotes make the 3ds The future of handheld games. +3D is Great the 3d is really great and the game looks better in 3D. It brings the graphics to life. +Great apps. the apps on the 3d improved since first bought it. + Internet is okay, the internet browsing is better than I expected
    -Battery Life isnt that great I do not like how fast it die. It can last up to 3-5 hours. If u wnt it to last 5 hours you may have to adjust the brightness and keep 3d off. -Design - the design does make it hard to fit in your pocket.    … Expand
  17. TheQuietGamer
    Apr 14, 2013
    9
    Don't make the mistake of thinking this is nothing more than a DS with 3D. Sure it has the same set up and some of the same features the DS did, but make no mistake this is a new handheld system that does things the DS just couldn't do. The new online features are excellent, the graphical power is better than ever, and the 3D effect is a really cool thing even if some games don't make theDon't make the mistake of thinking this is nothing more than a DS with 3D. Sure it has the same set up and some of the same features the DS did, but make no mistake this is a new handheld system that does things the DS just couldn't do. The new online features are excellent, the graphical power is better than ever, and the 3D effect is a really cool thing even if some games don't make the best use of it. But by far the thing that makes me love the 3DS the most is its selection of games. Its got a wealth of excellent and original titles, and even some enhanced remakes of some N64 games like Starfox 64 or Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. The 3DS is, just like the DS before it, the best handheld gaming system currently available.… Expand
  18. SwoopTrust
    Nov 9, 2011
    9
    It's a pretty good console, with some flaws. Integrated software is sweet, menu is nice to look at, 3D is also nice. the only flaws are the battery and the cameras, but i can overlook the cameras because i don't use them that much anyway. A bigger screen would also be more cool. But overall, this thing has a lot of promise. Not absolutely perfect, but a very welcome improvement from theIt's a pretty good console, with some flaws. Integrated software is sweet, menu is nice to look at, 3D is also nice. the only flaws are the battery and the cameras, but i can overlook the cameras because i don't use them that much anyway. A bigger screen would also be more cool. But overall, this thing has a lot of promise. Not absolutely perfect, but a very welcome improvement from the original DS.… Expand
  19. Lady_Chloe
    Feb 1, 2012
    9
    I bought the 3DS because I have had enough of "games" on smartphones which could not satisfy me. It is a really great system, every detail is thought-out. I have the "Legend of Zelda" edition so I am currently enjoying that game. Graphics are nice (even though high-end smartphones are more powerful nowadays), the controls are really good and I absolutely love the user interface.
    The    I bought the 3DS because I have had enough of "games" on smartphones which could not satisfy me. It is a really great system, every detail is thought-out. I have the "Legend of Zelda" edition so I am currently enjoying that game. Graphics are nice (even though high-end smartphones are more powerful nowadays), the controls are really good and I absolutely love the user interface.
    The glasses-free 3D is quite nice as long as it is implemented properly by the game. Ocarina of Time has great 3D but I have seen trailers of other games in which the 3D was... well, weird. Developers should pay more attention to it because it definitely pays off.

    For the low price, it is a great system and I definitely recommend it. One point down because of lower system specs but the rest of the console makes up for it.

    The only bad thing is that there seems to be nobody in my country who has a 3DS, I have not met anyone with StreetPass yet!    … Expand
  20. SuperKurzacz
    Apr 28, 2012
    9
    The Dsi was better,and the 3D mode just makes everything blurry.
  21. RuneScapian
    Jan 27, 2012
    9
    Excellent graphics for a handheld system. It has many useful and cool features, like an Internet browser, gyroscope, and augmented reality. My only complaint is the battery life. The longest it's lasted for me is around 5 hours.
  22. TheSmartGuy
    May 5, 2012
    9
    An excellent system with a whole lot of new features and fantastic graphics! Many of the games are great and take good use of the 3D, witch doesn't so much as pop out as it does look like a diorama. But the battery isn't very good and the games cost significantly more that regular DS games.
  23. Simon8000
    Jun 20, 2012
    9
    People wo hate this system call it two things, first one is "Just a Ds with 3D" The 3DS is more than that, everything is upgraded, including graphics and all the features like camera. It has a lot of new software, like AR games, Swapnote (updated pictochat) and Nintendo video. The other thing people call it is "Fake 3D scam" I can assure the 3D is real glasses free 3D. The games on thisPeople wo hate this system call it two things, first one is "Just a Ds with 3D" The 3DS is more than that, everything is upgraded, including graphics and all the features like camera. It has a lot of new software, like AR games, Swapnote (updated pictochat) and Nintendo video. The other thing people call it is "Fake 3D scam" I can assure the 3D is real glasses free 3D. The games on this system are beyond amazing. Kid Icarus made use of streetpass, spotpass and almost every other game software out there. Metal gear solid for 3DS has some of the coolest features like taking a photo with your camera and the colours will become snake's new camo. Get this console now.… Expand
  24. Zombjohn
    Dec 30, 2012
    9
    Really fun hand held 3d can be weird but over all the graphics sound and playability make this a must have for any Nintendo fan.if you can find it i recommend buying the xl with Mario kart 7 that seems to be the best deal out there
  25. xzbloodshotxz
    Aug 30, 2013
    9
    This system is amazing. I would recommend this system to Nintendo fan. The graphics are amazing plus the 3d. The games for the 3ds are good too may favorite is mh3u. Also the circle pad and the circle pad pro make this a whole lot better. The apps to it are good too. So that's all I got to say hope you liked.
  26. camilosanchez16
    Jun 24, 2013
    9
    Aunque el cambio Nintendo DS-3DS no fue mayor, la consola cuenta varias funciones e ideas nuevas (3D, SlidePad, Touch Screen, Nintendo Network, CPU & GPU bastante potentes) que mejoran bastante la experiencia de juego, la idea de usar 3D como atractivo principal es arriesgada, pero vemos que el éxito de 3DS en el mercado no se debe a solo eso, sino al la gran variedad de juegos de calidadAunque el cambio Nintendo DS-3DS no fue mayor, la consola cuenta varias funciones e ideas nuevas (3D, SlidePad, Touch Screen, Nintendo Network, CPU & GPU bastante potentes) que mejoran bastante la experiencia de juego, la idea de usar 3D como atractivo principal es arriesgada, pero vemos que el éxito de 3DS en el mercado no se debe a solo eso, sino al la gran variedad de juegos de calidad que han sido sacados por Nintendo, y en menor escala por terceros. Si esta consola sigue con el éxito que esta teniendo actualmente, podría llegar a vender casi como DS.… Expand
  27. EpicLadySponge
    Apr 30, 2016
    9
    Why am I reviewing a console as a game? That's what one logic I'll never get in Metacritic. In fact, why do we have this thing on the site though? The 3DS is by far more advanced to the Nintendo DS, and it's making me buy one again (I used to own one).
  28. TJ_of_Carolina
    Jan 31, 2019
    9
    One of the best handheld consoles with impressive First Party support, and less shovelware than the previous DS. The 3D feature, despite naming the console is probably the least noteworthy aspect of the system and if you're like me, you'll screw with it for the first few weeks and then never use it again except by accident. I later got the confusingly named New 2DS XL which removes thisOne of the best handheld consoles with impressive First Party support, and less shovelware than the previous DS. The 3D feature, despite naming the console is probably the least noteworthy aspect of the system and if you're like me, you'll screw with it for the first few weeks and then never use it again except by accident. I later got the confusingly named New 2DS XL which removes this feature in exchange for a lower priced "New" console and I don't miss it at all. Much more interesting features are StreetPass and the play coins, which give you an incentive to take your console with you outside. The console recently got remakes of the earlier Mario and Luigi games, and an assload of other JRPGs like Bravely Default and its sequel, a Xenoblade Chronicles port (Only on the "New" consoles) Fantasy Life, Etrian Odyssey, etc, which makes this a great console to pick up if you're into JRPGs.
    The console also has Animal Crossing New Leaf, the best game in the Animal Crossing series as of this typing.

    Aside from the games, the system itself is capable of reading fancy AR Cards which can be used for games or taking pictures of Nintendo characters chilling in your house. The 3DS Camera sucks though. Just like the 3D feature, you likely won't use AR cards or the camera much at all after the first few weeks of the system. The home, start and select buttons feel a little too titanic which is thankfully fixed in the New redesign which makes them regular buttons like they should've been

    The original 3DS model had some design problems, such as the bottom screen scratching the top everytime you close the system due to differing sizes, which is more noticable if you turn on 3D. And the trigger buttons will wear down with use through no fault of the player, and at least on trigger button will stop working if you play a lot. Thankfully these problems are fixed with the unfortunately named "New" redesign, which changes the design of trigger buttons, adds ZL and ZR buttons as alternative trigger buttons (Or whatever you want them to be) and makes the two screens more even. If you're reading this right now and haven't bought a 3DS, buy one of the "New" consoles, don't buy the original. You can get New 2DS XL for 150 bucks as of this typing, which is 20 bucks less than what the original 3ds was selling for originally (After the price cut) and it's worth it, also comes preinstalled with Mario Kart 7    … Expand
  29. amichayg
    Jul 29, 2011
    8
    this is an awsome console battery life is low
  30. RyanA
    Apr 3, 2013
    8
    The system itself is very easy to get used to, 10/10, the games I'd give an average of 7.5/10, the 3D effects are kinda weird, and make you tired after a while in some games, 7.5/10, overall, 8.3/10
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