3DS: Guide to the pre-installed software

The 3DS launches in the UK on March 25, and we’ve got the European hardware ahead of time to bring you all the info on what comes ready to play on the device. The handheld alone can provide hours of entertainment thanks to its selection of pre-installed software, ranging from games to simple tools.

Home Screen

The 3DS boots straight to a home screen, from which you can select from a number of options and access game titles. As well as being able to change the number of icons displayed on a single screen, you can get to your Friends List, Game Notes, Notifications and the Internet Browser – although the latter will only be available in a system update due in May. The Friends List allows you to view any buddies who are online, add new acquaintances and find your own Friend Code. Game Notes is a way for you to scribble down any vital pieces of information while you’re playing – it’s accessible mid-game.

Play Coins and Sleep Mode

Play Coins, a currency of sorts, are collected by simply carrying around your 3DS while it’s in sleep mode (with the lid closed, but the console still turned on). I walked to the local shops and back – approximately a 20-minute stroll – and the 3DS worked out that I’d walked 2150 steps. This in turn gave me 10 Play Coins to spend inside the pre-installed apps, although full games will use Play Coins too. While in Sleep Mode you can make use of the Street Pass features of any games you own, such as sharing ghost data in Ridge Racer 3D, or taking part in Trophy fights in Super Street Fighter IV 3D. Spot Pass can also be used while the system is hibernating, automatically downloading new content, such as trailers and game levels.

Nintendo 3DS Camera

The first bit of software of note you’ll come across on the Home Screen is the 3D camera. While the software is fairly basic, there’s no denying that taking 3D snaps of your friends and family, or even everyday items, is a lot of fun. The novelty of being 3D means you’ll mess around with this far more than you would if it was just a normal camera. There are no editing tools, but you can set up a timer or choose to manually focus the picture, as well a choose from six fancy camera modes: Sparkle, Merge, Dream, Low-light, Pinhole and Mystery. It’s worth pointing out that there’s no way to upload or wirelessly share your pics, though you could conceivably swap photos by giving your memory card to a friend.

3DS Sound

This is a sound booth and basic editing suite, in which you can record a number of audio tracks and add some simple effects to them. Want to make your brother sound like a robot? Done. Ever wish you could record a speech as if you were in a tunnel? Done. You can cut up recordings, add loops and perform a few other very basic tasks, but this isn’t a full-on editing suite. It’s from this app that you can also play music files, including MP3s.

Mii Maker

Anyone familiar with the Mii system introduced with the Wii will know what to expect here. You get to make virtual people using some basic tools, crafting surprisingly good versions of friends, family and celebrities. The big change is the ability for the 3DS to create a Mii based on a picture taken by the handheld’s camera. As is the way with smartphones at the moment, Miis can be converted into QR codes and then shared with friends. Items found in included mini-game StreetPass Quest can be used to dress your Mii.

StreetPass Mii Plaza

This is where all your collected Miis, acquired using the 3DS’ Street Pass functionality, are displayed. Beyond that, Nintendo has included two mini-games that make use of the Miis you’ve added to your collection. Puzzle Swap uses Play Points to buy image chunks which combine to form 3D pictures.

The second mini-game is StreetPass Quest, which once again uses the handheld’s Street Pass and Play Coins functionality. This is a slightly more elaborate game, essentially being a very basic RPG. Successful travellers will be rewarded with new heroes who can fight ghosts for you and new hats for your Mii – such as Mario’s classic red cap.

AR Games Augmented Reality

This collection of mini-games is by far the most exciting software included with the 3DS. By using the front-facing cameras to scan a picture card (several are included with the 3DS), the handheld creates virtual play areas in the real world. Augmented reality has been done before, but this is still impressive and the kind of thing that you’ll want to show your friends.

Three of the attractions – target-shooting, ball-rolling and fishing – are all neat enough examples of the augmented reality gaming and 3D technology. There’s also the option to take some fun snaps of virtual characters, such as your Mii, by making them adopt poses.

Physically moving your 3DS around these virtual items feels new and exciting, although the actual games are very basic. More game variations and extra tools can be bought from a shop menu by using Play Coins.

Face Raiders

Alongside the AR Games, Face Raiders is the title you’ll be messing around with and showing to friends. It’s a very simple concept: take pictures of friends, family and co-workers, then watch as they appear in the real world as flying enemies that you need to shoot. Taking perfect pictures can be tricky, but you can use the included editing tools to get the faces neatly inside their flying shells. It’s tremendously gimmicky, but unquestionably good fun and an ideal way to convert 3DS sceptics.

Activity Log

This is another tool that Wii owners will know, with the 3DS tracking your play time across each software title and the amount of steps you’ve made while carrying around the handheld. You can view the stats as pure numbers, or as charts if that’s more your thing. You can even view games in order of time spent playing them, which includes in-built software, 3DS titles and DS games. Now you’ll know just how long you’ve spent grooming your puppy in nintendogs + cats instead of trying to collect them all in Pokemon.

Download Play

This is exactly the same as the functionality seen in the DS, allowing users to share data with friends so they can take part in multiplayer games together using a single card. The host game must be compatible with Download Play in order to use this feature.

System Settings

Probably the least exciting menu on the 3DS, but it’s packed full with useful tools. It’s here where you’ll set your internet settings; sort out parental controls; manage save data; set the date and time; view profile info; calibrate the 3D; and download system updates. Quite dull, but you’re bound to spend a fair bit of time in here over the course of the system’s life.