The Nintendo 3DS family systems are a line of handheld consoles produced by Nintendo. They succeeded the Nintendo DS family and were succeeded by the Nintendo Switch home and handheld hybrid console.
The gimmick of the Nintendo 3DS systems is to use a parallax barrier filter on the top screen to create stereoscopic 3D images and gameplay when the slider on the right side of the device was slid up. The Nintendo 3DS XL systems would enhance this experience by tracking the user's face to create 3D images from different viewpoints. The Nintendo 2DS members have a different design than its 3DS predecessors, removing the 3D functionality while still retaining the other original features of the 3DS. The original 2DS is a flat, unfoldable dual-screen system designed for younger audiences, but would go on to also have an XL variant which could fold.
The New Nintendo 3DS lines are upgraded models of the 3DS family systems adding in extra shoulder buttons, the ZL and ZR buttons, a new C-Stick, and a built-in near field communication (NFC) reader on the bottom screens for amiibo support. Conversely, this means previous members of the family line have to use a separate NFC reader adapter to connect with amiibo.
Controls[]
The Nintendo 3DS and the Nintendo 3DS XL has a Circle Pad with a Directional Pad under it on the left side, a Touch Screen at the center, and the A, B, X, and Y buttons on the right. On the 3D models, the 3D slider to toggle the 3D effect can be seen on the right of the upper screen, the effect coming out of the inner camera at the top center. On the backside are the L and R buttons. The Home, Start, and Select buttons are on the bottom of the touchscreen.
The Nintendo 2DS removes the 3D slider, and moves the Start and Select buttons to the right side of the system, which would retain for all ruture iterations of the 3DS. On the New Nintendo 3DS and new Nintendo 3DS XL, a C-stick was added above the face buttons, and a new pair of shoulder buttons, ZL and ZR, would be added to the shoulders. On the New Nintendo 2DS XL, the home button would move the the bottom left of the system.
In most 3DS Kirby games, the Jump button is mapped to the A button, Inhale plus Copy Ability attacks to the B button, guarding and dodging to the L and R buttons, and general movement is shared between both the Circle Pad and Directional Pad, with few exceptions. The functions of the X and Y buttons differ across various titles. The C-Stick can be used in Kirby 3D Rumble in Kirby: Planet Robobot and in Kirby's Blowout Blast, however all it does is move the camera slightly. Besides these two games, the C-Stick, as well as the ZL and ZR buttons, have no function with the exception of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. The Touch Screen retains its usage from the Nintendo DS family systems, however this function is used less frequently as the DS Kirby games.
Family Members[]
| Title | Image | Release Date | Summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| |||
| Nintendo 3DS | 
|
Mar 27, 2011 | Feb 26, 2011 | The original model of the Nintendo 3DS. |
| Nintendo 3DS LL Nintendo 3DS XL
|
|
Aug 19, 2012 | Jul 28, 2012 | The larger variant of the Nintendo 3DS. |
| Nintendo 2DS | 
|
Oct 12, 2013 | Feb 27, 2016 | A variant of the NIntendo 3DS excluding the clamshell design and the 3D. |
| New Nintendo 3DS | 
|
Sep 25, 2015 | Oct 11, 2014 | A more powerful 3DS with face-tracking 3D and new buttons. |
| New Nintendo 3DS LL New Nintendo 3DS XL
|
|
Feb 13, 2015 | The larger variand of the New Nintendo 3DS. | |
| New Nintendo 2DS LL New Nintendo 2DS XL
|
|
Jul 28, 2017 | Jul 13, 2017 | A variant of the New Nintendo 3DS XL without the 3D and with a different design. |
Features[]
StreetPass[]
StreetPass is the Nintendo 3DS family line's main local communication feature, allowing users to share data with other nearby users. Denoted with a green dot, most games that utilize StreetPass data will offer extra prizes or gameplay features encouraging users to walk around outside with their systems in their pockets. All Kirby games on the 3DS systems utilize StreetPass in some capacity with the exception of Kirby Battle Royale.
SpotPass[]
SpotPass is the Nintendo 3DS family system's main online communication feature, allowing users to receive notifications and updates about various 3DS games. Denoted with a blue dot, most games that use the SpotPass function will inform the user to update their game for patch releases or new DLC.
Miiverse[]
Miiverse was the online Nintendo social network for Wii U and 3DS systems where users could talk about certain games called communities. Launched December 9, 2013 for the 3DS family, a few 3DS Kirby games allow the sharing of images of gameplay directly to Miiverse with a Miiverse icon. Many "Behind the Scenes" posts about various 3DS Kirby titles hosted by members of HAL Laboratory were published using this network. Miiverse was discontinued on November 7, 2017.
Nintendo eShop[]
The Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS systems is the 3DS's main digital shopping service that launched June 6, 2011 with an update. This service stopped users from adding credit to their 3DS and Wii U systems on May 23, 2022 and was shut down its services for all 3DS and Wii U systems on March 27, 2023. However, users can redownload every eShop game they have previously downloaded as well as download any additional updates for various games such as the Kirby Battle Royale DLC.
When the eShop was still functioning, users could buy digital versions of games, game demos, video streaming services, and other miscellaneous applications. Virtual Console games from previous video game systems could also be downloaded featuring games from the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, NES, SNES, Sega Game Gear, and Turbografx16 (Japan only). Kirby's Dream Land, Kirby's Pinball Land, Kirby's Dream Land 2, Kirby's Block Ball, Kirby's Star Stacker (and its remake in Japan), and Kirby's Dream Course were all part of the Virtual Console collection. A 3D remake of Kirby's Adventure, titled 3D Classics: Kirby's Adventure, was also released.
Ambassador Program[]
The Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program was a special program that launched for the original Nintendo 3DS system given only to users who bought the system for $249.99 before the price dropped to $169.99 on August 12, 2011. Users were notified via SpotPass to download the Nintendo 3DS Ambassador Program Certificate to receive 20 free retro game to download on their system from the eShop, 10 from the Nintendo Entertainment System and 10 from the Game Boy Advance. Kirby & The Amazing Mirror was one of the free GBA games the user could download.
Download Play[]
Download Play is an application that allows players to connect via local communication with other users who are hosting a multiplayer game with a Nintendo DS or Nintendo 3DS family system. This application is used for multiplayer play for players who do not have a copy of the game they are connecting to; players who use this app will be restricted in gameplay options when they are connected to a game.
Play Coins[]
Play Coins are the systems' digital currency rewarded by walking 100 steps with the system. Only 10 can be earned per day making for a total of 1000 steps. These coins are mainly spent in many of the 3DS's pre-downloaded software like StreetPass Mii Plaza and other supplementary applications that are heavily utilized around the 3DS systems' features like SwapNote. Other 3DS video games including those of the Kirby series use Play Coins as well such as Kirby: Triple Deluxe for collecting keychains.
amiibo Compatibility[]
By using NFC, the system is able to connect with amiibo to store and transfer data to games that support them. Introduced June 10, 2014 and launching November of that year, Kirby: Planet Robobot is the first 3DS Kirby game to support amiibo compatibility (the first Kirby game to support amiibo being Kirby and the Rainbow Curse) where players can scan an amiibo to get a certain Copy Ability. amiibo from the Super Smash Bros. series and the Kirby series are greatly supported in all titles that utilize amiibo whereas amiibo from other series are supported however their rewards are very minimal.
Gyroscope[]
Every 3DS family system contains a gyroscope meaning the system is able to detect motion by tilting it. This functions into gameplay by being able to tilt in-game objects in real time. Kirby: Triple Deluxe and its mountable objects require the 3DS gyroscope to be used else the object will not work. The player can recalibrate the gyroscope with a button whenever Kirby mounts any of these objects.
Games[]
Kirby series games[]
Below is a list of every Kirby series game released for every 3DS system. All of the games listed below can be played in 3D with the exception of Kirby Battle Royale and Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn.
| Title | Box Art/Logo | Icon | Type | Release Date
|
Supported Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirby: Triple Deluxe | 
|
|
Mainline | May 2, 2014 | *StreetPass *Play Coins *Download Play *Gyroscope |
| Kirby Fighters Deluxe | 
|
|
eShop exclusive spinoff | August 29, 2014 | *StreetPass (indirectly from Kirby: Triple Deluxe) *Download Play |
| Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe | 
|
|
eShop exclusive spinoff | August 29, 2014 | *StreetPass (indirectly from Kirby: Triple Deluxe) |
| Kirby: Planet Robobot | 
|
|
Mainline | June 10, 2016 | *StreetPass *SpotPass *Miiverse *Play Coins *amiibo support *Download Play *C-Stick functionality *Gyroscope |
| Team Kirby Clash Deluxe | 
|
|
eShop exclusive spinoff | April 12, 2017 | *StreetPass *SpotPass *Miiverse *amiibo support *Download Play |
| Kirby's Blowout Blast | 
|
|
eShop exclusive spinoff | July 6, 2017 | *StreetPass (indirectly from Kirby: Planet Robobot) *C-Stick functionality *amiibo support |
| Kirby Battle Royale | 
|
|
Spinoff | January 19, 2018 | *SpotPass *amiibo support *Download Play |
| Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn | 
|
|
Enhanced port of a spinoff | March 8, 2019 | *StreetPass *amiibo support |
Games featuring Kirby[]
Below is a list featuring Kirby and other Kirby series characters in various 3DS games.
| Title | Box Art | Icon | Appearance | Release Date
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | 
|
|
Playable | October 3, 2014 |
| Ultimate NES Remix | 
|
|
Playable/Cameo | November 7, 2014 |
| Taiko no Tatsujin: Dokodon! Mystery Adventure | 
|
|
Guest Character | June 16, 2016 |
Game demos[]
Below is a list of demos of any of the aforementioned titles if available. Some 3DS demos can only be played a certain number of times before not functioning anymore.
| Title | Icon | Release Date
|
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirby: Triple Deluxe | 
|
April 10, 2014[citation needed] | This demo only exists as physical retail kiosk cartridge. It varies only slightly from the final version. |
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | 
|
September 19th, 2014 | This demo had a limit of 30 plays. Kirby, King Dedede, and Meta Knight are not playable in this demo. |
| Kirby: Planet Robobot | 
|
July 21, 2016 | This demo had a limit of 30 plays. A physical retail kiosk cartridge version was also made alongside an electronic eShop version. |
| Kirby Battle Royale | 
|
January 4, 2018 | The demo allows the player to transfer save data to the main game which unlocks Meta Knight. |
| Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn | 
|
February 21, 2019 | A physical retail kiosk cartridge version was also made alongside an electronic eShop version. Both versions are slightly different than each another. |
Virtual Console games[]
Below is a list of every game obtained via Virtual Console on the 3DS eShop. Kirby's Dream Course and Kirby's Star Stacker for the Super Famicom are only compatible for the New Nintendo 3DS systems, the latter only being available in Japan.
| Title | Icon | Console | Release Date
|
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirby's Dream Land | 
|
Game Boy | June 30, 2011 | $3.99 |
| Kirby & The Amazing Mirror | 
|
Game Boy Advance | December 16, 2011 | Free* |
| Kirby's Block Ball | 
|
Game Boy | May 17, 2012 | $2.99 |
| Kirby's Pinball Land | 
|
Game Boy | July 12, 2012 | $3.99 |
| Kirby's Star Stacker | 
|
Game Boy | January 17, 2013 | $2.99 |
| Kirby's Dream Land 2 | 
|
Game Boy | August 1, 2013 | $3.99 |
| Kirby's Dream Course | 
|
Super Nintendo | July 28, 2016 | $2.99 |
| Kirby's Star Stacker | 
|
Super Famicom | November 27, 2016 | ¥838[1] |
3D Classics[]
3D Classics refer to a selection of games that were updated versions of the original games to be compatible with the 3DS stereoscopic functionality. They have refined graphical and audio touches to better match the hardware of the 3DS. Only one Kirby game has a 3D Classic: Kirby's Adventure.
| Title | Logo | Icon | Release Date
|
Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirby's Adventure | 
|
|
November 17, 2011 | $6.99 |
Games with Kirby cameos[]
|
Main article: List of cameos |
A handful of other 3DS titles contain Kirby series cameos typically unlocked with Kirby series amiibo.
[]
StreetPass Mii Plaza[]
StreetPass Mii Plaza is a built-in application heavily revolving around the StreetPass function. Many Kirby-related costumes and customizations can be collected to customize the user's Mii. Puzzle Swap is a sub-game within the app that plays cinematic dioramas based around the game the respective completed puzzle panel; many Kirby games are also featured in this game.
AR Games[]
|
|
Main article: List of cameos#AR Games (Nintendo 3DS, 2011) |
AR Games is a built-in application that requires the use of the AR Cards packed with a retail purchase of a 3DS family line system. By using the system's camera, the player could scan the Kirby card to generate a 3D model of Kirby and change his pose to take pictures with. The player could also grow and shrink Kirby and move him around with other characters.
Nintendo Badge Arcade[]
Nintendo Badge Arcade is a supplementary application that features a large variety of claw machines for users to win badges hosted by the Arcade Bunny. These earned badges could then be used to customize the user's Home screen on their system. After the eShop's closure in March 2023, the arcade no longer cycles through previous machines, instead only offering the current machines available. Many Kirby themed badges could have been won throughout the app's lifetime with even the Arcade Bunny offering bits of trivia and tidbits upon a franchise's promotion.
Nintendo Zone[]
|
|
Main article: SpotPass#Nintendo Zone |
Nintendo Zone was an online media-sharing service that released November 14, 2011 and was discontinued on August 28, 2016 in North America and March 28, 2018 in Japan. Videos and other pieces of media were hosted on the app only accessible through certain hotspots. Many promotions for various games were also distributed through this app, one of them being a limited time offer to receive a free Kirby-themed 3DS theme.
Nintendo Video[]
|
|
Main article: SpotPass#Nintendo Video |
Nintendo Video was a video-sharing platform released July 13, 2011 that showcased many web series and other various miscellaneous video categories such as music videos and movie trailers. The infamous Kirby 3D episode based on Kirby: Right Back at Ya! was created specifically for this app and quickly became the most popular video on it. A Watch + Win sweepstakes was held where users who watched the rerelease of the two-part episode could win a promotional code to download the episode directly to their system. Nintendo Video shut down on June 9, 2015 before moving its contents to the eShop.
Nintendo Anime Channel[]
The Nintendo Anime Channel was a free video on demand service where users could watch various anime licensed by Nintendo only available in the UK and Australia. Released February 14, 2015, Kirby: Right Back at Ya! had a sizeable collection of episodes that added regularly until its shutdown on October 31, 2018.
List of Nintendo 3DS themes[]
The list below are Kirby-related themes used to decorate members of the Nintendo 3DS family.
| Title | Release Date | Music | Image |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kirby: Stripes and a Smile | March 3, 2015 | "Green Greens (pop version)" | 
|
| Kirby: Sweet Gourmet Race | March 3, 2015 | "Get Up and Go-urmet! (brass band version)" | 
|
| Kirby: Craft-Paper Party | March 3, 2015 | "Green Greens"/"Peanut Plains (acoustic version)" | 
|
| Kirby Planet Robobot: Robobot Armor Activate! | June 13, 2016 | "Pink Ball Activate!" | 
|
| A Day in the Life of Kirby and Secretary Susie
|
March 5, 2016[2] | "Yearning for Yellow (Vroom!)" | 
|
| Kirby's 25th Anniversary | April 27, 2017 | "Welcome to Dream Land" | 
|
| Kirby's Blowout Blast*
|
July 4, 2017 | Kirby's Adventure title theme | 
|
| Kirby Battle Royale: May the Best Kirby Win!
|
November 2017 | Kirby Battle Royale main theme | 
|
| Kirby: Copy Ability Poll | December 12, 2017 | "Marshmallow Castle" | 
|
Artwork[]
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