The Nintendo 3DS, released in 2011, revolutionized portable gaming with its glasses-free 3D display, providing players with an immersive experience without the need for special eyewear. Its innovative technology captivated gamers of all ages, offering a new dimension to gameplay. Alongside its groundbreaking display, the 3DS boasted backward compatibility for Nintendo DS and DSi software, significantly expanding its gaming library and appealing to a broad audience of both new and seasoned players. Features like Download Play further enriched the gaming experience by enabling local multiplayer gaming using only one game card, fostering social interactions and cooperative gameplay among friends.

Moreover, the 3DS extended its utility beyond gaming, showcasing novel applications such as serving as an audiovisual guide at the renowned Louvre Museum in Paris. Its versatility and innovation propelled its success in both gaming and non-gaming realms, underscored by robust sales figures that saw millions of units shipped worldwide. Subsequent iterations like the 3DS XL and the New Nintendo 3DS continued to refine the gaming experience, offering enhancements such as larger screens and improved hardware capabilities, ensuring the continued relevance and popularity of the platform among gaming enthusiasts.