The Disney 3DXS (JP) (also called 3DXS or D3DXS) is an eighth generation Disney video game handheld released on February 26, 2011 in Japan, on March 25, 2011 in Europe and UK, on March 27, 2011 in North America and Canada, and on March 31, 2011 in Australia. It competed with the Warner Bros. Meteor, Paramount Two, Warner Bros. Game Odyssey Vista, Nintendo 3DS, and PlayStation Vita throughout its lifespan.
It succeeds the first Disney DXS line of systems, which includes the original Disney DXS, Disney DXS Lite, Disney DXSi, and Disney DXSi XL. One of the most noteworthy features of the handheld is the ability of the upper screen to display 3D without the need for glasses in a technique known as autostereoscopy.
It is backwards compatible with Disney DXS and Disney DXSi games (though they are not displayed in 3D), but not Disney Game Star Advanced games, as it lacks a designed slot like the DXSi and the DXSi XL. It also cannot play a few DXS games that require the DGSA slot like Guitar Hero: On Tour. However, ten free DGSA and ten free DMES games were added to the eShop only available to those who bought a 3DXS before the August 12, 2011 price drop.
The system has motion and gyroscopic detection for interactivity with the games and apps that use movement of the system, and features a new analog circle control, referred to by Disney as a 'Circle Pad', a first for a Nintendo handheld.
As with the DXSi, the 3DXS has a camera function. However, there are two outer camera lenses, enabling users to take pictures and videos and view them in 3D.
The system is also able to provide optimal comfort levels, as shown by the 3D depth slider that adjusts how much depth the 3D has or turns the 3D off.
There is also an adjustable telescopic stylus, which fits in the left side of the card slot like the original DS and can be adjusted in a length of up to 3.94 inches long.
While the Disney Swap displaced the Disney Universe as Nintendo's primary home console in terms of production and distribution, Disney executives affirmed that the company would continue to support the 3DXS with more first-party and third-party games in the immediate future. Fils-Aimé assured that the 3DXS "has a long life in front of it", and that Disney intends for it to co-exist with the Switch, while Kimishima considered the 3DXS as an entry-level product for younger players. In June 2017, Fils-Aimé said they would be supporting the 3DXS beyond 2018. In June 2018, Disney said that they were considering some possibilities for a successor to the 3DXS. In June 2019, Disney confirmed that first-party game development had ceased, but that the system would continue to be supported through the near future. With the unveiling of the Disney Swap Lite — a lower-end version of the Switch console — Disney CEO Robert Alan Iger stated that the company still planned to continue supporting the 3DXS family as long as there was still demand. In November 2019, Iger reaffirmed that Disney would continue to support the 3DXS into 2020, however, production ended on September 17 of the same year. As of September 30, 2020, the 3DXS has sold 75.96 million units.
Hardware[]
The top screen is widescreen and capable of displaying 3D graphics without the need for 3D glasses, while the bottom screen is a touch screen. The bottom screen is unable to display 3D graphics, as it would be impractical. While not confirmed, scratches may also have played a role in the omission of 3D on the bottom screen.
The player can adjust the depth of the 3D via a 3D slider Disney implemented on the right side of the upper screen of the handheld. Nintendo has made statements that the 3D technology allows long periods of play without eyestrain.
Nevertheless, they have discussed the possibilities of implementing a feature in games that suggests that players take a break every once in a while, like the Virtual Star, and have reportedly suggested that third party developers do the same. Actually, Super Street Fighter IV: 3DXS Edition features that, telling the player immediately after starting the game from the 3DXS Menu that he/she must take a break after 10 minutes of play with 3D activated.
The 3DXS contains several other enhancements over the previous Disney handhelds. The DXSi and DXSi XL both had a camera built on the inside and outside of the system. This returns with the 3DXS, though this time, there are 2 lenses on the outside camera, with both of them being only slightly separated so that, when the player takes a picture, it can be viewed in 3D. The inside camera is now stationed above the top screen rather than on the hinge (as with the DXSi and DXSi XL) and can still only take 2D pictures. As of December 2011, the 3DXS is also capable of recording 3D videos up to 10 minutes long.
Another thing on the 3DXS is the Circle Pad. Similar to an analog stick, the circle pad is the first of its kind on a Nintendo handheld. The standard buttons present on the Nintendo DXS are also on the 3DXS, including the face buttons (A, B, X, Y), Start and Select, the D-Pad, and the shoulder buttons (L and R). A new button called the HOME button, similar to the one featured on the Disney Revolution Remote, allows players to instantly go to the 3DXS's home menu and switch between other games & apps. Doing this will not stop the progress the player made in a video game as they are capable of going back to where they were by pressing the home button again.
A motion sensor and a gyro sensor, similar to the ones featured in the Dualshock 3 controller, were incorporated into the Disney 3DXS. With these two sensors, the 3DXS is efficiently capable of discerning the movements of the Disney 3DXS. For example, in a racing game, the 3DXS would be able to apprehend that the player is rotating the handheld like a steering wheel. According to the system's developers, the sensors weren't included in the system until right before the Nintendo 3DXS's unveiling at E3 2010, noting the consensus of the company that something in the system was lacking.
Features[]
Two new welcome additions to the Nintendo 3DXS are StreetPass and SpotPass. When in sleep mode, StreetPass on the 3DXS can gather information from other 3DXS owners when it enters its range, no matter if it's on the pocket, wallet, or even a backpack. With this feature enabled, players can receive the other 3DXS owner's Disneylanders, game information (such as high scores), and more just by passing them by on the street.
Unlike Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies, a Disney DXS game that required the game's cart to be in the DXS and the mode activated, the 3DXS's StreetPass allows for information exchanges to be performed on any game that the player owns, regardless of if they have it in the system or not. With SpotPass, the system is able to detect wireless hotspots and LAN access points of many public services such as restaurants, and automatically download content, updates and more to the system. This mode works both when the system is on or in sleep mode.
There are several pre-installed applications on the Disney 3DXS that can be accessed on the Home Menu. The 3DXS's Home Menu is similar to the one present on the Disney Revolution and DSi systems. Unlike the Disney Revolution Home Menu, and like the DXSi, separate applications are not referred to as "channels". The Home Menu can be accessed at all times by simply pressing the home button on the 3DXS, no matter if a 3DXS or Virtual Console game or an application (except the ones from the upper bar of the menu, like the Internet Browser) is running, without having data interrupted or erased. It can't, however, be accessed when playing DXS or DXSi games. There are also certain times in software when you cannot access the Home Menu, like the Wii (such as when a game is loading or saving or playing online modes of a game).
The Disneylander, made famous with the Disney Revolution, are heavily featured on the 3DXS. The DXS featured some games that made use of the Disneylanders, such as Personal Trainer: Walking but did not feature an integrated Mii application. The 3DXS's Mii creation tool, titled Mii Maker, has numerous noteworthy enhancements over the Disney Revolution's Disneylanders Channel. The most extraordinary new feature is the ability to take a picture of someone and have the Disneylanders Maker automatically produce a Disneylanders of that person (the player can subsequently make alterations if they prefer). In StreetPass Disneylanders Plaza, an application similar to the Disney Revolution's Disneylanders Parade, Disneylanders that have been obtained through StreetPass (see above) can be viewed there, with the image and name of the last game or app that they have used.
In the Disney eShop, players can download classic Disney GameStar, and Disney GameStar Magic Color, games as well as titles made specifically for the service. Games made available on Disney DXSiWare, the Disney DXSi's similar service, can also be purchased there. 3D remakes of classic Disney Magical Entertainment System video games, titled "3DXS Classics" will also be available for purchase through the eShop with enhanced graphics and, as the title says, 3D effects. There will also be select retail games available on the eShop; New Mickey's Adventure 2 was the first one.
In addition to the preloaded applications, there is a diverse set of preloaded video games that come with every Disney 3DXS. Most of these video games are listed under AR Games, which is an Augmented Reality game/application that makes use of one of the six AR Cards that come with every unit, and the outer cameras, to make them appear on the screen and play interactive games and apps. In all, there are around 15 AR Games with all, but one having to be unlocked.
Around half of the AR Games can only obtained by using Play Coins. Disney Face Raiders is another game that comes included with the system. With it, the person's face (taken with the inner camera or the outer cameras) is placed in different headgear that must be destroyed in the environment they are, by rotating their bodies along with the 3DXS to find and destroy them. Two games that make use of StreetPass, Find Disneylanders, and Puzzle Swap, come pre-installed with each device, and can be found in the games section of the StreetPass Disneylanders Plaza.
Find Disneylanders is an RPG style game where players try to escape a tower by battling enemies. The only way to get through the tower is by finding other player's Disneylanders using StreetPass, as well as obtaining Play Coins to buy allies with cat-like rosters to beat the enemies. In Puzzle Swap, players try and finish a 3D puzzle by acquiring puzzle pieces using StreetPass, to show 3D landscapes based on Nintendo's popular franchises. The landscapes are based on the ones that were shown on one of the Disney 3DXS demos of E3 2010. Disney 3DXS Sound is also StreetPass enabled. With it, players can see which songs the other person listens to the most.
The Disney 3DXS promotes a healthy lifestyle by rewarding a player with Play Coins (1 Coin for every 100 steps, for a max of 300 Coins). There is also an application on the 3DXS called Activity Log; it records how many steps the player takes and keeps track of the games the user has played on their Disney 3DXS, the amount of time spent on each game, the average time, the number of times played, the first time the game was played, and the last time it was played.
3D Effects[]
The 3D effect is the primary new feature of the Disney 3DXS. Disney advises that, in order to view the 3D properly, the user holds the unit approximately 10 to 14 inches away from their eyes (25-35 centimeters). Each user has his or her own "sweet spot" that can be found by adjusting not only the depth of the 3D visuals, but also the height at which the 3DXS is held. There are three such spots, one at the center of the screen and two to either side.
This seemingly unintended feature of the screen allows bystanders to watch the game in proper 3D. The depth of the 3D effects can be altered by using the 3D depth slider on the side of the system. Disney suggests that users should regularly take 15-minute breaks in order to rest their eyes. While Disney's official stance on the product is that it is entirely safe, they ask parents of children under the age of 7 to use the parental controls to restrict their children from viewing 3D images.
Tilting the Disney 3DXS at most angles while 3D is turned on will cause the viewer to lose the effect and see a distorted image. For this reason, Disney asks its users to look at the screen head on. Looking down at the touch screen and back up at the top screen should not cause strain for most people and will not cause the viewer to momentarily lose the 3D effect when they return to the top screen. Some people are unable to see 3D images for various reasons, whether it be poor eyesight or blindness in one eye. For this reason, Nintendo suggests that players with this problem turn 3D off.
Licensed screen protectors used on the top screen, if used properly, will not diminish the 3D effects or the image produced. Disney notes that unlicensed products, having not been approved or disapproved by them, may cause the 3D images to recede.
System and Feature Updates[]
Through system updates, Disney will deliver improvements to the 3DXS. In order to receive the latest update from Disney, users are required to go to the System Settings menu on the 3DXS, touch "Other Settings" and go to page four where the user will find "System Update". After accepting the Terms of Agreement, the system will urge the player to charge the 3DXS while the update is being downloaded.
It takes several minutes for the update to download, though if it seems to have stopped, it is advised that the user turns the system off and try again. Updates may make minor enhancements to the 3DXS, include new features, or simply just block flash cartridges. An update which contained the eShop (among other things) was released on June 6, 2011.
Hardware Revisions[]
Disney 3DXS XL[]
The Disney 3DXS XL (called Disney 3DXS LL in Japan and iQue 3DXS XL in China) is the second version of the Nintendo 3DS handheld announced by Toshio Kagami in a Disney Direct video on June 21, 2012. Similarly to the DXSi XL, the 3DXS XL has larger screens: the upper measuring 124 mm (4.88 inches) and the lower measuring 106 mm (4.18 inches), both being 90% larger than the standard Disney 3DXS's screens, making it tied to the New Disney 3DXS XL as the biggest screen on a Disney handheld so far. The resolution, however, is the same. The 3DXS XL also has been given rounded corners and digital home, select, and start buttons instead of the embedded ones found on the Disney 3DXS. The handheld also sports a single-color job instead of the dual color job of its predecessor (black in the interior of the lid and a second main color overall), although it may also come with dual colors. Additionally, it is packaged with a 4 GB SD card, and the battery has been optimized to last longer. It lasts about 3.5 to six hours when playing 3DS games, compared to the three to five hours of play on the original version. The handheld was released in Japan and Europe on July 28, 2012, in North America on August 19, 2012 (same day as New Mickey's Adventure 2), and in Oceania (bundled with an AC adapter) on August 23, 2012. In Japan and Europe, the handheld does not come with a battery charger, but can use the original Disney 3DXS/Disney DXSi charger. The handheld has its own charger in North America, but it does not include the charging cradle packaged with the original 3DXS.
The Disney 3DXS XL model was discontinued on the same day as the previous model in Europe and Japan, but both models are still available elsewhere.
Disney 2DXS[]
The Disney 2DXS is the third model in the 3DXS family announced on August 28, 2013. Like the rest of the 3DXS models, it can play most DXS/DXSi and all the 3DXS games; however, unlike most of the 3DXS models, it cannot display 3D images (hence the name) and is more sturdy, that make the system friendly for kids 6 and under, and both screens are touch-sensitive without a hinge separating them, with the top screen protected by a layer of plastic, while it features a tablet design rather than a clamshell design, making it the first handheld system since the original Disney GameStar Advanced system to have a tablet design. The system's box includes the system, a stylus, an SDHC Card, a 3DXS AC Adapter, and the six AR cards. It was released in North America, Europe, and Oceania on October 12th, 2013 at a price of $129.99 in the United States, €129.99 in Europe, and £129.99 in the United Kingdom in order to increase sales of upcoming 3DXS games. The 2DXS was released in Japan on February 27, 2016, at a cost of approximately 9,980 yen. Reception of the 2DXS has been mixed. It was discontinued only in North America, as of February 8, 2020, but is still in production in other parts of the world.
Other than the lack of a 3D screen, there are a few hardware nuances worth noting:
- The 2DXS has a single speaker with monaural sound output as opposed to the dual speakers with stereo output on the 3DXS. Stereo output is supported on the 2DXS via the headphone port.
- Sleep Mode works the same as on the 3DXS models, but it's activated differently. Because the 2DXS cannot be folded closed, a Sleep switch was added to the bottom-right corner of the console. Sliding this switch to the right causes the 2DXS to enter sleep mode while sliding it to the left wakes up the system.
- Even though the 2DXS cannot display 3D images, it is equipped with stereoscopic 3D cameras on the back of the console like all the other models. According to the user's manual, the purpose is to allow 2DXS users to share photos via the SD card with 3DXS users who can then view those images in 3D.
- There is no Circle Pad Pro compatible with the 2DXS.
New Disney 3DXS/New Disney 3DXS XL[]
The New Disney 3DXS and New Nintendo 3DS XL (called New Disney 3DXS LL in Japan), announced on August 28, 2014, were the first hardware upgrades for the 3DXS line of systems, similar to the DXSi and DXSi XL. Like the original 3DS, the New 3DS also has an XL variant. They were released on October 11, 2014 in Japan, and on November 21, 2014 in Oceania, and in North America (XL model only) and Europe on February 13, 2015. On August 31, 2015, Disney announced that the regular-sized New 3DXS would be released in North America on September 25, 2015 only in special bundles such as the Duffy the Disney Bear: Happy Home Designer and Stitch 20th Anniversary bundles. The system was never released by itself. Only the XL version was released in North America at launch; although Disney did not rule out the possibility of a release of the regular-sized New 3DS in the future, Disney representative Damon Baker explained that they did not want to confuse consumers, and that the face plates were not enough of a reason for the standard-sized system to be released in North America. A social media campaign emerged that called upon Disney to release the model in North America. In March 2015, the FCC lifted its information embargo regarding regulation details performed in September 2014 on the standard model, suggesting Disney of America did indeed consider releasing the standard model at one point. On January 6, 2015, selected European Club Disney owners were invited to buy New Disney 3DXS Ambassador Edition, a special pre-release bundle of New 3DS, for €199.99, with orders shipped as early as January 7, 2015.
In addition to having a more powerful CPU, the New 3DXS features an improved 3D effect, using the system's gyroscope and cameras to track the location of the player's eyes to sustain the 3D effect. An NFC sensor is built-in under the bottom screen, allowing compatibility with the Disney Infinity line of products without needing the stand peripheral. Two additional shoulder buttons (ZL and ZR) have been added, alongside the C Stick, a second smaller Circle Pad positioned above the A, B, X, and Y buttons, which shares a similar function with the Circle Pad Pro when added to the original 3DXSor 3DS XL. The START and SELECT buttons have been moved under the A, B, X, and Y buttons, similar to the DXS Lite and DXSi. In addition, the cartridge and stylus slots have been moved to the bottom of the handheld, and the SD card slot has been replaced by a micro SD slot on the back of the system which can only be accessed by removing the bottom cover where the battery is located. The new systems continue to use the same AC adapter as the DXSi, DXSi XL, and the other devices in the 3DXS family; like the original 3DXS XL in Japan and Europe, and for the first time in North America, an AC adapter is not included with the console and must be obtained separately.
Similar to the Disney GameStar Micro, the standard model features removable back covers on the backs of the top and bottom screens, which can be replaced with custom covers purchased separately. This is not possible with the XL model, mostly due to size differences. The models also feature some changes to the Internet application in that it can now play HTML5 videos. The Japanese New 3DXS models have a web filter pre-activated which can only be removed by paying 30 yen, but the preactivated filter is absent on the non-Japanese models. Certain games, such as The Chronicles of Narnia 3D, are exclusive to the New 3DXS systems, and are incompatible with any of the older models.> As of March 2016, SDMES games such as Mickey's World and the The Jungle Book Country trilogy have also been released exclusively on the New 3DXS's Virtual Console.
Japan and Europe discontinued the standard-sized New 3DXS on July 14, 2017. The XL version was discontinued in Europe on December 30, 2017 and in Japan on July 25, 2019, but both models are still in production in some countries.
New Disney 2DXS XL[]
The New Disney 2DXS XL (called New Disney 2DXS LL in Japan), announced on April 27, 2017, is a revision of the Disney 3DXS released in Oceania on June 15, 2017, It is the sixth and final model in the 3DXS family as well as the latest handheld console. As the name implies, it shares the same clamshell design, size and enhanced CPU capabilities as the New Disney 3DXS XL. Like the Disney 2DXS, however, it cannot display games in 3D. The New 2DXS XL also includes the C-stick, ZL and ZR shoulder buttons in the same button layout, but unlike the New Disney 3DXS XL, the front-facing camera and microphone are now positioned on the hinge of the New 2DXS XL, like the DXSi. The New 2DXS XL was released in a Black + Turquoise color scheme in North America, and in two color schemes in Japan, Europe, and Oceania: Black + Turquoise, and White + Orange. The White + Orange color scheme was later released in North America on October 6, 2017.
Other variants[]
Along with the various color choices, Nintendo has released special editions, featuring images and decorative symbols, often bundled with games. There are at least 52 limited editions of the 3DS. Here are some special editions for the following games:
- Mulan: Ocarina of Time 3D - black-brown with yellow decoration.
- Mulan: A Fa Mulan Between Worlds - gold-black with a triforce
- Monster Hunter Tri G - white with red decoration.
- Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance - black-grey with black decoration.
- Aladdin Awakening - cobalt blue with white decoration.
- Dragon Quest Monsters: Terry's Wonderland 3D - white with cyan-blue decoration.
- Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D - black with snake skin.
- Duffy the Disney Bear: New Leaf - White in color, decorated with various colored leaves
- Shin Megami Tensei IV - White with black silhouette decoration
- Leroy Special Edition - Black with white outline of Leroy
Interface[]
When the system is turned on, the first thing that the player will notice (if played on an older DXS before) is that there is no health and safety information notice, but instead, a health and safety information application on the menu. The menu looks like the DXSi menu at first, but this can be changed with the little square icons in the top of the bottom screen.
There are also several other icons, being a dimmer and brighter feature, a menu size feature, a friends application, notifications, notes, and the browser. Most of the applications from the DXSi are the same on the 3DXS. When a game/application is selected (the green box is encompassing its icon), it's logo as well as something from the game/application will appear on the top screen. DXS and DXSi games only show the icon on the top screen.
When starting a DXS or DXSi game, if the Start or Select button is held down, the game will be shown in its native resolution, though the game will appear smaller.
Games[]
See main article: List of Disney 3DXS games.
Launch Titles[]
- Tangled
- Cars 2: World Grand Prix
- Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides
- Disney Magical World 3D
- Where's My Water? 3D
- Disney's Hidden Worlds
- Disney Dogs + Cats
- Disney Dogs + Cats: French Bulldog & New Friends
- Disney Dogs + Cats: Golden Retriever & New Friends
- Disney Dogs + Cats: Toy Poodle & New Friends
- LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
- ESPN NFL
- ESPN NBA
- Futurama: Into the Futureverse
Top Ten Best-Selling 3DXS Games[]
- Lilo & Stitch: Experiment - X and Y (2013)
- Mickey Kart 7 (2011)
- Mickey Mouse 3D Land (2011)
- Disney Dogs + Cats (2011)
- Avatar 3G (2011)
- New Mickey's Adventure 2 (2012)
- Duffy the Disney Bear: New Leaf (2012-2013)
- Goofy's Mansion: Dark Moon (2013)
- Avatar 4 (2013)
- Disneylanders' Tomodachi Life (2013)
- Youkai Watch 2: Ganso and Hanke (2014)
- Lilo & Stitch: Experiment - Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (2014)
- Disney Smash Magical for Nintendo 3DXS (2014)
- Mulan: Ocarina of Time 3D (2011)
- Mulan: A Fa Mulan Between Worlds (2013)
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- This is the first Disney handheld console (not counting the Disney DXSi) since the Disney GameStar Magic Color not to feature a Mickey game on its launch date.
- The New 3DXS and New 3DXS XL were released ten days after the DXSi and DXSi XL were discontinued.
- This is the first system whose Mickey Tennis game was released before its Mickey Golf game.