The Nintendo 3DS is Nintendo's successor to the Nintendo DS, and is the company's fifth generation handheld console. The system was announced in March of 2010, with it being officially unveiled at E3 2010. The system is able to project stereoscopic 3D effects without the need of 3D glasses. The 3DS is in direct competition with Sony's Playstation Vita.
The Nintendo 3DS was released in Japan on February 26, 2011; in Europe on March 25, 2011; in North America on March 27, 2011; in Australia on March 31, 2011; and in Korea on April 28, 2012. However, after the launch, sales were notably low, especially from May through July. This was due to a combination of factors, including a lack of high-profile games other than Ocarina of Time 3D and Nintendogs + cats, the early absence of the online store, and the high starting price of about $250 worldwide. In contrast, the DS launched at about $100 less.
On July 28, 2011, Nintendo announced that there would be a price drop for the 3DS that woul go in effect starting August 12, 2011. As an added incentive, those who bought the system at the original price were entitled to 10 free NES games starting September 1, 2011, as well as 10 free Game Boy Advance games starting December 16, 2011. This price drop, as well as major releases boosted sales worldwide, launching the 3DS to its current status.
On June 21, 2012, a redesigned version of the 3DS, the Nintendo 3DS XL, was announced. This revision of the system features screens that are 90% larger than the 3DS' screens.
