The 3DS the successor to the largely successful DS. The 3DS keeps pretty much the same clamshell design with dual screens. The biggest feature of the system is its ability to show off glasses-free 3D. Something that hasn't been widely done. Its not very convincing from just telling someone that it works, people need to seriously go out to a store and try it out themselves. It is something you need to see to believe. Even if you don't care about the 3D there is much more to the system than just the 3D enhancement. 

System Design 

The design and build of the product is refreshing, something a bit retro but it looks quite modern. It has a cake layer design where each layer is a little lighter than the layer above it. It has smaller screens that the DSi but its top screen does have a 16:9 aspect ratio. Graphics and power are far beyond the DSi as well. 

It comes with a 2GB SD card which should be plenty of space if you don't use it all up taking pictures or don't download many games from the eShop. The Circle pad is great for 3DS games but the mapping to DS games sometimes isn't all that great like Super Mario 64 DS you still have to hold down B to run. DS backwards compatibility is great but some games like Pokemon Black & White look a little washed-out. Otherwise they run just as good as any other DS would run them. They also take a little longer to load which isn't a huge issue.  

Lastly the 3DS comes included with its own charging cradle that is quite useful for being able to drop it in and charging. It much easier to remember to charge and you'll want to charge it often with its very weak 3 hour battery life. You might get more out of it but it varies depending on your settings. 

Features & Built-In Software

Glasses-Free 3D - 3D being its main feature. This feature works great but varies depending on the game. You can use the 3D slider to turn it off or on at anytime or turn it up or down in increments. You won't be able to move the system much while in 3D mode since the image won't display correctly to your eyes. You'll have to find a sweet spot where you'll be able to see the 3D effect the best. Motion controls may effect the 3D effect at times depending how much movement is going on. If you tilt your head along with the system you'll be able to keep the 3D effect going but on games where the system require more moment than just little up and down motion you're better off with 3D off. 

Motion Controls - Another new addition is motion controls, just like a Wiimote you can move it in anyway and the system will respond. It has a built in Gyro and Accelerometer to achieve these controls. Not all games support it since it does affect 3D. It does work well on games such as Ocarina of Time 3D and Monkey Ball 3D. 

StreetPass & SpotPass - Now for StreetPass and SpotPass some of the more underrated features but they are very exciting even if they don't seem that way. Spotpass is a feature that as long as your 3DS is on you can receive new content or notifications from the Internet. You might receive a notice from Nintendo about an update or a some DLC for one of your games. Streetpass works similarly expect you don't get updates from the Internet you get updates from other 3DS owners. As long as you keep your 3DS on and in Sleep mode, every time you pass someone with a 3DS you'll trade Miis and information for games that you both own. Then you'll be able to do an activity with that information. Examples would be if you pass someone with Dead or Alive Dimension you'll be able to have a Throwdown Challenge with that person next time you have Dead or Alive inserted or you'll have a Trophy Battle in Street Fighter IV or both. Even if it doesn't sound that interesting, getting a Streetpass is one of the features I do like the most about the system. Yet since not many people have a 3DS or decide not to carry it around, it can be a bit difficult to get StreetPasses. 

Augmented Reality - I haven't done much with this feature but I do find seeing animations in the augmented figures much more appealing than just motionless characters.

Nintendo eShop - Finally the 3DS has the eShop. It is pretty nice. A few free games from Nintendo. Not many Virtual Console games out yet they release about one per week. 

Also while holding Start + Select while starting up a GameBoy / Gameboy Color game you'll get to play the game with a GameBoy / GameBoy Color frame and in the original resolution. A really nice addition to the Virtual Console games. Just like most Emulators you'll be able to make a 1 Save State which is somewhat cheap but, some people will like this. Also can be used so people can play the game without disturbing your session of that game. 

Internet / Online Play - I haven't really been able to use this a whole lot since not a lot of games currently support Online play. I have played a few Street Fighter IV matches that have not played out flawlessly but they did play out very well. Some lag but only before the match started. You still need Friend Codes for the system but only one for all games. Its a bit better but we still would like to get rid of them.

Internet browser is an improvement over the DSi one. This one looks about the same except it allows you to save pictures from the internet to your SD card and allows you to upload pictures from your SD card to Facebook or any other site that allows uploads.  

Faults / Downsides - Not as many things are missing since we have gotten the Nintendo eShop and we finally got a hardcore first party game. We still are waiting for somethings but they'll eventually clear up. For most buyers they will still want to avoid the system until way more content comes for it later in 2011.

Battery is another huge problem. It does become more of a problem once you wear down your battery some. Most of the time you won't be playing much to save some battery just to get StreetPasses. You also won't be able to get StreetPass if you battery starts blinking red.

I'm not sure if this is a flaw in the design but I have gotten scratches from just closing the system. The systems bottom screen rubs against the top one and leaves two straight lines down the both sides of the screen. They don't show up while I'm playing but it is pretty annoying that they are there. I leave a microfiber cleaning cloth in between the system to keep it from happening. Its also useful since the systems top screen is just a magnet for dirt and fingerprints. 

Recommended: Yes