Need to know - Nintendo 3DS

1. Glasses-free 3D screen

The 3DS features an auto-stereoscopic top screen (the bottom screen is regular 2D), which ultimately means you won't need to wear 3D glasses to get the 3D effect. This can be turned off for gaming in 2D, or adjusted to somewhere in between using the toggle switch on the right hand side.

 

2. New controls

Alongside the regular DS D-pad and A,B, X and Y buttons, the 3DS adds an analogue 'slide pad' that allows for more intricate 360-degree control. It also comes packing an accelerometer and gyroscope for motion and augmented reality gaming.

3. More powerful, better visuals

There's no doubt that the 3DS is more powerful than any DS to date - in fact, rumour has it that the new CPU and GPU it has under the hood make it more powerful than the Wii, bringing it closer to HD consoles like the Xbox 360 and PS3. The result of this is much improved visuals compared to those on the DS Lite or DSi.
As for the screens themselves - they're better too. The top screen is the largest (apart from the XL) at 3.5 inches with a bright 400 x 240 resolution (per eye in 3D mode). The bottom touchscreen is smaller at 3 inches with 320 x 240 resolution - previous DS screen resolutions have been 256 x 192px.

4. 3D camera

The 3DS has a total of three cameras - two on the front of the handheld, which act as a 3D camera, and one inside. The 3D camera allows you to capture your own 3D snaps, while the front-facing webcam can take video and stills. Nintendo has said 3D video is coming to the handheld via a system update, though.
Wii avatars, called Miis, can be created on the handheld for the first time in the DS family. Even better, they can be created using the 3DS's cameras. Take a picture of yourself or a friend, and the software will create a Mii likeness, which you can then tweak to your preference.

5. SpotPass

 

Nintendo is trying to get us socialising with two new features. The first of those is SpotPass.
Unlike previous DS handhelds, the Nintendo 3DS will - if you allow it - always be connected to the internet, and will now be able to connect to both WEP and WPA networks out of the box. Not just that, but Nintendo has also partnered with BT Fon so your 3DS will be able to access wi-fi connections when you're out and about, for free. This means you'll be able to receive exclusive content, such as demos and trailers, from Nintendo, system updates and patches on the fly.

6. Street Pass

 

The second feature is StreetPass, which will allow you to wirelessly communicate and exchange information with other 3DS users in your vicinity - even when in sleep mode. This includes everything from automatically collecting other people's Miis so you can see who you've passed in the street that day, to playing games - sometimes without even realising.
Some of these are built-in mini games, such as StreetPass Quest that sees you using the Miis you collect to battle against a whole host of bad guys who have taken you prisoner. Meeting the same people over again will boost their Mii power in these battles.

Full games can also have more involved StreetPass functionality, such as Street Fighter 4. The game lets you set up a fighting team of five characters that will automatically take on opponents you pass (who also own the game and have set up their team). You can tweak their attack, defence and speed stats - and if you top your unknowing competitor, you'll win a collectable figurine, with 245 to collect.
Both features can be turned off, or controlled by parental lock.

7. Games

 

The handheld also comes with a couple of built-in mini-games, but they won't keep you entertained for long.
For really getting stuck into 3D gaming, a total of thirteen games will be available on the launch day. These include Nintendogs + Cats, Super Street Fighter IV 3D, Super Monkey Ball 3D, Rayman 3D, Asphalt 3D, LEGO Star Wars II: The Clone Wars, Pilotwings Resort and PES 2011 3D. This will be followed by another 12 games before the E3 games conference in June.
Nintendo also announced that there would be a 3DS version of Virtual Console, more often seen on the Wii, which will offer buyable, downloadable Game Boy and Game Boy Colour games, as well as Game Gear titles and 3D versions of other Nintendo classics.
Still got loads of regular DS games? The 3DS is completely backwards compatible, but only in 2D.

8. Health risks?

 Nintendo has publicly stated that the 3D mode of the 3DS shouldn't be used by children aged six and under, as it may be harmful to the development of their vision. There is a parental control complete with PIN that allows parents to disable the autostereoscopic effects, although the American Optometric Association has assured parents that 3D gaming in moderation would have no harmful effects.

 

9. Price

When the Nintendo 3DS was launched, it hit retailers pre-order lists at around £229 - pretty pricey. Since then, the price war has begun, meaning the handheld is now available for under £200. Amazon currently have it for sale for £187 - expect prices to fall further after launch day.

10. The future

The 3DS is also capable of 3D movie playback, and deals have been done with Warner Bros, Disney and DreamWorks to deliver 3D movies for the 3DS - once again, without the need for glasses. Nintendo itself will also offer a short-form video service that brings 3D video content, from comedy to music, direct to the handheld - including 3D episodes of Shaun the Sheep specifically for the European market.
Nintendo of Europe has also announced they will be partnering with EuroSport and Sky 3D to deliver sports and documentary content to the 3DS later in 2011.

Source : http://news.ph.msn.com/photogallery.aspx?cp-documentid=4741500&page=10