The Nintendo 3DS will hit the UK in March 25 and come bundled with a heap of features built into the system.
We already know about the 3D slider which will let you adjust the strength of the 3D effect, and the Circle Pad that replaces the old D-Pad. But what else did Nintendo demo at its Amsterdam event?
Aside from the fact the 3DS will come in two colours come launch - Cosmo Black or Aqua Blue, each unit will have a SD slot built in, and the console will come packaged with a 2 gig SD card, on which you can store game saves and 3D photographs on, the latter of which you can snap by using the two exterior cameras on the unit's shell. The camera can also be used for the in-built Mii Maker, which will create your virtual avatar on the fly. A third camera sits within the device.
A Home button is built into the inside of the device, which Nintendo say will allow you to swop between applications and games, leaving the latter paused until you jump back in, similar to how the iPhone currently works.
As for Apps, along with the already-mentioned Mii Maker, there's a Activity Log will operate almost as a Wii Fit-Lite, tracking the number of steps you've taken each day.
There's also an augmented reality mode that will use six AG cards that come bundled with the device. When you point the exterior cameras at them, it'll map 3D interactive elements onto them which you'll see on the main screen. You'll be able to shift your 3DS to avoid attacks due to the in-built motion and gyro-sensor, which will also be used for titles like Steel Diver, letting you move your submarine by turning the 3DS.
The 3DS can handle and play mp3 and AAC music files, and a later update will toss in a web browser, as well as a eShop, letting you buy and download Game Boy and Game Boy Colour games. Parental controls can be set up to limit access to content is needed. You can play all your old DS and DSi games on the system.
Friend codes have been simplified, each linked to the hardware rather than every game. And you've only to trade codes with someone once- they'll automatically appear on your Friends List is you want to game.
You can also choose to activate StreetPass, which means your 3DS will share content with any other 3DS in close proximity. Anyone you pass on the street who has a 3DS will automatically transfer their Mii to yours, letting you check out what they were last playing and share high scores. SpotPass will link your 3DS to any Wi-fi hotspot that you enter, and even if the console is in sleep mode, content such as maps and updates will download automatically.