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Nintendo 3DS (photos)

We take a closer look at the Nintendo 3DS and its games at Nintendo's official U.S. unveiling in New York City.

Scott Stein
I started with CNET reviewing laptops in 2009. Now I explore wearable tech, VR/AR, tablets, gaming and future/emerging trends in our changing world. Other obsessions include magic, immersive theater, puzzles, board games, cooking, improv and the New York Jets. My background includes an MFA in theater which I apply to thinking about immersive experiences of the future.
Scott Stein
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Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime introduces the Nintendo 3DS.
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"3D for everyone" is Nintendo's angle on the advantage of glasses-free 3D technology.
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Much like the Nintendo DSi, a focus on photos, music, and games on the 3DS aims to take on the versatility of devices like the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.
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The Nintendo 3DS launch colors in the U.S.: aqua blue and black.
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At last, a telescoping stylus.
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A look at the interface of the 3DS, with its square apps, resembles a cross between the Wii and Apple's iOS.
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Any game can be converted into 2D by adjusting the depth slider, just in case your eyes start feeling fuzzy.
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Madden on the 3DS plays much like its console cousins, along with impressive 3D depth.
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A handful of the third-party launch games for the Nintendo 3DS.
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A built-in pedometer and activity meter add a fitness element to the 3DS.
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The clever Mii Maker converts your photo into a convincing Mii-alike, no artistic skills required.
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Face Raiders! An unfortunately named preinstalled game on the 3DS.
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Augmented-reality gaming is surprisingly effective on the 3DS, thanks to a built-in accelerometer and gyroscope, and innovative use of the 3D display to create games on the fly from specially coded cards placed on a table or other surface. An archery game is preinstalled on the 3DS.
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The eStore for digitally downloaded games will include a virtual console archive of Game Boy and Game Boy Color titles. Users can search by franchise, such as Mario, and find a timeline of all available games.
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The 3DS will cost $249 at launch, more than the Nintendo Wii and the lowest-priced iPod Touch. Nintendo claims people feel that the 3DS is worth at least $300 to $400.
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The aqua-blue 3DS, close up at the Nintendo event in Soho, N.Y.
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Another angle.
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The 3DS from the side. It's thicker than the Nintendo DS/DSi.
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The 3DS has three cameras: two on the back for 3D pictures, and one on the interior for facial recognition and self-portraits.
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The black Nintendo 3DS.
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A look at the side, including the SD card slot.
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A look at the back of the black 3DS' lid.
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Angling around for motion-based gaming in the periscope mode of Nintendo's Steel Diver.
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The 3DS will come with a 2GB SD card packed in the box, presumably to encourage downloads from the eStore. Also, Nintendo will finally allow transfers of previously downloaded games from another DSi.
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A look at the twin 3D camera lenses on the back lid of the 3DS.
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In bright light, the 3D effect still looked good, but the glossy screen threw a lot of glare.

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