Nintendo 3DS
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| File:3DS.png | |||||||||||||||||
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| Manufacturer | Nintendo | ||||||||||||||||
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| Type | Handheld | ||||||||||||||||
| Release date(s) | Japan February 26, 2011<ref>Craig Harris (September 28, 2010). "Nintendo Conference 2010 Details". IGN. </ref> Europe March 25, 2011<ref name=IGN>Jim Reilly (January 19, 2011). "3DS Price, Release Date Announced". IGN. </ref> United States of America March 27, 2011<ref name=IGN/> Australia March 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
| Discontinued | Worldwide September 17, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||
| Media | Nintendo 3DS Game Card, Nintendo DS Game Card, SD Card | ||||||||||||||||
| Input | Nintendo 3DS Stylus | ||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Nintendo DS | ||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Nintendo Switch | ||||||||||||||||
The Nintendo 3DS is a handheld video game console made by Nintendo and released in 2011. It is a successor to the Nintendo DS and can play games in glasses-free stereoscopic 3D. Animal Crossing games released on the Nintendo 3DS include Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer, and the Photos with Animal Crossing application. Additionally, Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS, which features content from the Animal Crossing series, was released for the 3DS.
The 3DS sold a total of 75.94 million units worldwide.<ref>Nintendo. "IR Information : Sales Data - Dedicated Video Game Sales Units". nintendo.co.jp. </ref> It was succeeded by the Nintendo Switch in 2017 and was discontinued worldwide on September 17, 2020.<ref>Sam Byford (September 17, 2020). "Nintendo has discontinued the 3DS". The Verge. Retrieved September 17, 2020. </ref>
Features and built-in software
Friend List
Friend List is a built-in application where the player could add others as friends via a Friend Code. Having two players registered in each other's Friend List was required to visit other towns online in Animal Crossing: New Leaf.
Nintendo eShop
The Nintendo eShop is a digital store where games and software could be purchased and downloaded. All Animal Crossing games released on the 3DS could be purchased from the eShop, and Photos with Animal Crossing was released exclusively from the eShop. Update data for Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer could also be downloaded from the eShop. Additionally, games and software released for the DSi Shop, including Animal Crossing Calculator and Animal Crossing Clock, could be purchased and downloaded from the eShop.
The eShop is also available on the Wii U and Nintendo Switch. The ability to purchase and download new software was discontinued worldwide on the 3DS and Wii U on March 27, 2023, 12 years since the 3DS's North American release.
Nintendo Zone
Nintendo Zone was a discontinued service for the Nintendo 3DS that allowed players to connect to a Wi-Fi hotspot in a collaborating public location, typically a retail store, to receive unique content. Animal Crossing: New Leaf utilized Nintendo Zones to receive DLC items.
Play Coins
Play Coins are a system-wide currency that can be used in various games and software, including Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer. The 3DS has a built-in pedometer that tracks the player's steps; for every 100 steps taken, the player earns 1 Play Coin, up to a maximum of 10 per day and 300 total. In New Leaf, fortune cookies can be purchased from Timmy and Tommy's store for 2 Play Coins. In Happy Home Designer, Play Coins can be used to unlock lessons in the Happy Home Handbook.
SpotPass
SpotPass is an online feature that allows the console to send and receive information to and from Nintendo. Animal Crossing: New Leaf features SpotPass connectivity, and it can be enabled or disabled from the title screen. The player could connect to the internet via SpotPass during distribution periods to receive DLC items and Nintendo staff homes in the HH Showcase.
SpotPass is also available on the Wii U.
StreetPass
StreetPass is a feature that uses local wireless communication to send and receive information from and to other nearby 3DS systems. It is used in Animal Crossing: New Leaf in the HH Showcase, where connecting with other players via StreetPass causes their house and player character to appear there. Some handheld items and badges require the use of StreetPass to obtain.
StreetPass Mii Plaza
Template:Multiple Image StreetPass Mii Plaza is a built-in application on the Nintendo 3DS. The Miis of players who have been met via StreetPass appear here, and there are various minigames that can be played. The player can dress their Mii with various unlockable outfits, including four based on the Animal Crossing series: the Isabelle Hat, Tom Nook Hat, K.K. Slider Hat, and Mr. Resetti Hat.
One of the minigames, Puzzle Swap, features Animal Crossing content. The objective of Puzzle Swap is to meet other players through StreetPass to obtain pieces of a puzzle that, when completed, displays an image from a 3DS game. Two of the puzzles feature an image from Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer.
Themes
An update in 2014 introduced themes, which alter the background, app icons, and music of the HOME Menu. Themes can be purchased from the Theme Shop, My Nintendo, or the downloadable game Nintendo Badge Arcade. 26 themes based on the Animal Crossing series were released:
| Name | Image | Music | Released via | Theme Shop description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| File:3DS Theme - ACaF Plaza Icon.png Animal Crossing: amiibo Festival: Plaza |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing amiibo Festival.png | "Plaza" | Theme Shop | A crowd's gathered for the amiibo Festival! Scroll the Touch Screen to see who's here as you enjoy the festival's plaza tune. |
| File:3DS Theme - AC Falling Leaves Icon.png Animal Crossing: Falling Leaves |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Fall Leaves.png | "12 PM" | Theme Shop | This fall-inspired theme features Isabelle and friends raking up fallen leaves. Keep an eye out for Mr. Resetti and Don Resetti! |
| File:3DS Theme - AC Gardening Weather Icon.png Animal Crossing: Gardening Weather |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Gardening Weather.png | "Bunny Day" | Theme Shop | This Spring theme shows Leif, Isabelle, and others. Scroll the screen to see them tend the garden, but look out for Mr. Resetti! |
| File:3DS Theme - ACHHD My Town Icon.png Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer: My Town |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer - My Town.png | "Title-Screen Tune" | Theme Shop | This theme features watercolor-style art by the game's Lead Illustrator. Scroll the Touch Screen to see lots of cute characters! |
| File:3DS Theme - ACHHD Your Office Icon.png Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer: Your Office |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer.png | "???" | Theme Shop | ??? |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Swimming in the Sea Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf Swimming in the Sea |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Swimming in the Sea.png | "Island (Day)" | Theme Shop | This summertime theme features Isabelle and friends enjoying a relaxing swim. Scroll the Touch Screen to see them in action! |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Bulletin Board Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Bulletin Board |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Bulletin Board.png | "1 p.m." | Theme Shop | The folders and icons look like they are made of wood. Scroll the Touch Screen to see cheerful flowers sway in the wind. |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Bunny Day Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Bunny Day |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Bunny Day.png | "Bunny Day" | Theme Shop | Eggzactly what you need to get ready for Bunny Day! Scroll the Touch Screen to see O'Hare, Chrissy, Francine, and Zipper move. |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Colorful Pattern Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Colorful Pattern |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Colorful Pattern.png | "Title-Screen Tune" | Theme Shop | This theme's relaxing music and colorfully patterned background, folders, and icons will make you feel right at home. |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Isabelle at Town Hall Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Isabelle at Town Hall |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Isabelle at Town Hall.png | "Town Hall (Isabelle's Theme)" | Theme Shop | The folders and icons look like letters and stamps. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Isabelle daydream while she works. |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Jack, the Czar of Halloween Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Jack, the Czar of Halloween |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Jack the Czar of Halloween.png | "Halloween Hijinks" | Theme Shop | This theme features festive folders and icons, spooky music, and jack-o'-lanterns. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Jack move. |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Jingle's Toy Day Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Jingle's Toy Day |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Jingle's Toy Day.png | "Toy Day" | Theme Shop | Scroll the Touch Screen to animate this festive theme's lower background. Exit Sleep Mode to hear a present open. |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL K.K. Slider at Club LOL Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: K.K. Slider at Club LOL |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - K.K. Slider at Club LOL.png | "K.K. Song" | Theme Shop | The folders and icons feature an acoustic-guitar pattern. Scroll the Touch Screen to see K.K. Slider play his guitar and sing. |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Mabel Able Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Mabel Able |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Mabel Able.png | "Able Sisters" | Theme Shop | The folders and icons look like they're sewn from blue cloth. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Mabel hard at work. |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Sable Able Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Sable Able |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Sabel Able.png | "Able Sisters" | Theme Shop | The folders and icons look like they're sewn from pink cloth. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Sable hard at work. |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Timmy & Tommy Nook Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Timmy & Tommy Nook |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Timmy & Tommy Nook.png | "The Nooklings' Store" | Theme Shop | The folders and icons look like they're cardboard boxes. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Timmy's and Tommy's eyes blink. |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Welcome to 2015 Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Welcome to 2015 |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Welcome to 2015.png | "Happy New Year" | Theme Shop | Isabelle and Pietro ring in 2015 in this festive NYE theme. Scroll the Touch Screen to see fireworks and party poppers explode. |
| File:3DS Theme - AC Winter Frolics Icon.png Animal Crossing: Winter Frolics |
File:3DS Theme - Animal Crossing New Leaf - Winter Frolics.png | "Main Street 1 (daytime snow)" | Theme Shop | A theme featuring the snowpeople, who only appear in winter. Scroll the Touch Screen to see Isabelle and pals rolling snowballs. |
| File:3DS Theme - Cinnamoroll & K.K. Slider Icon.png Cinnamoroll × Totakeke |
File:3DS Theme - Cinnamoroll and K.K..png | "???" | Theme Shop (Japan only) | ??? |
| File:3DS Theme - Hello Kitty & Isabelle Icon.png Hello Kitty × Shizue |
File:3DS Theme - Hello Kitty and Isabelle.png | "???" | Theme Shop (Japan only) | ??? |
| File:3DS Theme - My Nintendo Isabelle Icon.png My Nintendo: Isabelle |
File:3DS Theme - My Nintendo Isabelle.png | "???" | My Nintendo | This original My Nintendo theme features Isabelle on the Top Screen and Animal Crossing-themed folders. |
| File:3DS Theme - AC Stylish Sweets Icon.png Animal Crossing: Stylish Sweets |
File:3DS Theme - Nintendo Badge Arcade - Candy Room.png | - | Nintendo Badge Arcade | ??? |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Festive Fun Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Festive Fun |
File:3DS Theme - Nintendo Badge Arcade - Animal Crossing Christmas Room.png | - | Nintendo Badge Arcade | ??? |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Island Getaway Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Island Getaway |
File:3DS Theme - Nintendo Badge Arcade - Animal Crossing Southern Island.png | - | Nintendo Badge Arcade | ??? |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Paw-Print Room Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Paw-Print Room |
File:3DS Theme - Nintendo Badge Arcade - Animal Crossing Paw Pattern Room.png | - | Nintendo Badge Arcade | ??? |
| File:3DS Theme - ACNL Plaza Icon.png Animal Crossing: New Leaf: Plaza |
File:3DS Theme - Nintendo Badge Arcade - Animal Crossing Village Square.png | - | Nintendo Badge Arcade | ??? |
Animal Crossing-related games
Retail
| Game | Image | Release dates |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Crossing: New Leaf | File:NL Box NA.jpg | Japan November 8, 2012 South Korea February 8, 2013 United States of America June 9, 2013 Europe June 14, 2013 Australia June 15, 2013 |
| Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS | File:Super Smash Bros. for 3DS Box NA.png | Japan September 13, 2014 United States of America October 3, 2014 Europe October 3, 2014 Australia October 4, 2014 South Korea September 10, 2015 |
| Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer | File:HHD Box North America.png | Japan July 30, 2015 United States of America September 25, 2015 Europe October 2, 2015 Australia October 3, 2015 |
| Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Welcome amiibo | File:Welcome amiibo UK box art.png | Japan November 23, 2016 Australia November 24, 2016 Europe November 25, 2016 South Korea December 1, 2016 United States of America December 8, 2016 |
Backward compatibility
The Nintendo 3DS is backward-compatible with Nintendo DS games, except for games that require the use of the Game Boy Advance slot of the original DS and DS Lite for Option Paks.
| Game | Image | Release dates |
|---|---|---|
| Animal Crossing: Wild World | File:WW Box NA.jpg | Japan November 23, 2005 United States of America December 5, 2005 Australia December 8, 2005 Europe March 31, 2006 South Korea December 6, 2007 |
Download
In addition to the downloadable versions of the retail Nintendo 3DS titles mentioned above, the following download-only software are also playable on the Nintendo 3DS.
Nintendo eShop native apps
| Game | Release dates |
|---|---|
| File:Club Nintendo Picross icon.png Club Nintendo Picross |
Japan September 13, 2012 South Korea December 12, 2012 |
| File:Club Nintendo Picross Plus icon.png Club Nintendo Picross+ |
Japan October 9, 2014 |
| File:PwAC Home Menu Icon.png Photos with Animal Crossing |
Japan November 21, 2013 Europe 2015 |
DSiWare legacy apps
| App | Release dates (3DS eShop) |
|---|---|
| File:Calculator Home Menu Icon.png Animal Crossing Calculator |
Japan June 6, 2011 United States of America June 6, 2011 Europe July 7, 2011 Australia June 6, 2011 |
| File:Clock Home Menu Icon.png Animal Crossing Clock |
Japan June 6, 2011 United States of America June 6, 2011 Europe July 7, 2011 Australia June 6, 2011 |
Models
| Name | Image | Release dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nintendo 3DS | File:Red 3DS.png | Japan February 26, 2011 United States of America March 27, 2011 Europe March 25, 2011 Australia March 31, 2011 |
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| Nintendo 3DS XL | File:3DS XL.png | Japan July 28, 2012 United States of America August 19, 2012 Europe July 28, 2012 Australia August 23, 2012 |
The Nintendo 3DS XL features 90% larger screens compared to the original 3DS. |
| Nintendo 2DS | File:2DS unit.png | Japan February 27, 2016 United States of America October 12, 2013 Europe October 12, 2013 Australia October 12, 2013 |
The Nintendo 2DS lacks 3D and has a different form-factor, lacking the clamshell design of all other DS and 3DS models. |
| New Nintendo 3DS | File:New3DS.png | Japan October 11, 2014 United States of America September 25, 2015 Europe February 13, 2015 Australia November 21, 2014 |
The New Nintendo 3DS features an upgraded processor, increased RAM, a C-Stick, ZL and ZR buttons, face tracking for more stable 3D, and NFC support for scanning amiibo. This model also has swappable cover plates on the back of the top and bottom sections. |
| New Nintendo 3DS XL | File:New3DSXL.jpg | Japan October 11, 2014 United States of America February 13, 2015 Europe February 13, 2015 Australia November 21, 2014 |
The New Nintendo 3DS XL is a larger version of the New Nintendo 3DS. It does not have swappable cover plates. |
| New Nintendo 2DS XL | File:New2DSXL.png | Japan July 13, 2017 United States of America July 28, 2017 Europe July 28, 2017 Australia June 15, 2017 |
The New Nintendo 2DS has all of the hardware improvements from the New Nintendo 3DS but lacks 3D. |
Animal Crossing models and bundles
Multiple Animal Crossing-themed models of the 3DS or bundles including an Animal Crossing game were released:
| Model | Release date(s) | Bundle | Design |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:3DSAC.jpg Nintendo 3DS XL |
Japan United States of America ??? Europe ??? |
Animal Crossing: New Leaf | Top and bottom are white with icons of apples, furniture leaves, and houses, along with multi-colored dots. |
| File:Nintendo 2DS NL.jpg Nintendo 2DS |
Europe ??? | Animal Crossing: New Leaf | Standard red-and-white console. |
Nintendo 2DS |
Europe ??? | Animal Crossing: New Leaf | Standard pink-and-white console. |
New Nintendo 3DS |
Japan ??? | None | Standard white console; contains a set of cover plates featuring a collage of Animal Crossing characters. |
| File:Happy Home Designer N3DS bundle (AU).jpg New Nintendo 3DS |
Japan ??? United States of America September 25, 2015<ref>Sodapone. "New Nintendo 3DS Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer Console [NA]". Consolevariations.com. Retrieved December 5, 2022. </ref> Europe ??? Australia ??? |
Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer | Standard white console; contains two sets of cover plates: one based on the key art for Happy Home Designer, and one with Isabelle's face on the top and the pattern of her clothing on the bottom. The European and Australian releases only contained the former set of cover plates. |
New Nintendo 3DS XL |
Japan ??? Europe October 2, 2015<ref>Neverbirth. "New Nintendo 3DS XL Animal Crossing Happy Home Designer Console [EU]". Consolevariations.com. Retrieved December 5, 2022. </ref> |
Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer | Top is white and features various objects and building from Happy Home Designer; bottom features a house and a silhouette of Lottie. |
| File:NLWa New 2DS XL.png New Nintendo 2DS XL |
Japan ??? Europe July 20, 2018<ref name="New 2DS XL">taco85. "New Nintendo 2DS XL Animal Crossing New Leaf Console". Consolevariations.com. Retrieved December 5, 2022. </ref> Australia June 20, 2018<ref name="New 2DS XL"/> |
Animal Crossing: New Leaf - Welcome amiibo | Features a cream design with a green top and buttons. The top has "Animal Crossing" and various designs engraved in the center. |
New Nintendo 3DS cover plates
Various Animal Crossing-themed cover plates were released for the New Nintendo 3DS, which were either available individually or as part of certain console bundles.
| # | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | File:New 3DS Cover Plate Isabelle.png | The top plate features artwork of Isabelle, and the bottom features the pattern of her summer outfit. |
| 14 | File:New 3DS Cover Plate Timmy & Tommy.png | The top plate features artwork of Timmy and Tommy, and the bottom features their logo. |
| 15 | File:New 3DS Cover Plate Mabel.png | The top plate features artwork of Mabel, and the bottom features the pattern of her apron. |
| 16 | File:New 3DS Cover Plate Sable.png | The top plate features artwork of Sable, and the bottom features the pattern of her apron. |
| 41 | File:New 3DS Cover Plate K.K. Slider.png | The top plate features artwork of K.K. Slider, and the bottom features a silhouette of his guitar. |
| 62 | File:New 3DS Cover Plate HHD.png | Both plates feature the key art for Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer. |
| 67 | File:New 3DS Cover Plate Super Mario Maker.png | Both plates feature a collage of 8-bit sprites of amiibo costumes from Super Mario Maker, including several Animal Crossing characters: Blathers, Cyrus, Digby, Kapp'n, K.K. Slider, Lottie, Mabel, Mr. Resetti, Reese, Timmy and Tommy, Tom Nook, and Villager. |
| 68 | File:New 3DS Cover Plate Characters.png | Both plates feature a collage of character artwork. From left to right, top to bottom: Label, Pascal, Tom Nook, Isabelle, Kapp'n, Mabel, Pelly, Dr. Shrunk, Rosie, Digby, Lottie, K.K. Slider, Phyllis, Bunnie, Tortimer, Timmy and Tommy, Pete, Hamlet, Lyle, Sable, Butch, Porter, Rod, Leif, Celeste, Wendell, Nat, Harriet, DJ KK, Kicks, Katie, Cyrus, Reese, Blathers, Bob, Mr. Resetti, Gracie, Cheri, Rover, Bill, Brewster, and Redd. |
Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer
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| File:Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader-Writer.jpg | ||||||
| Manufacturer | Nintendo | |||||
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| Release date(s) | Japan July 30, 2015 <ref> "Nintendo 3DS NFC reader / writer (You can play in amiibo!)". amazon.co.jp. (Japanese) </ref> United States of America September 25, 2015 Europe October 2, 2015 <ref>Template:Cite Twitter</ref> | |||||
| Media | NFC-enabled card | |||||
The Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer is a gaming peripheral for the original Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL released in 2015. It is used to scan amiibo cards and figures in compatible games on these systems, allowing data to be exchanged, and unique content to be unlocked. The device requires 2 AA batteries for power, and interfaces with the 3DS system via infrared. The IR sensor on the device must be positioned to be in line with the IR sensor on the 3DS system in order to establish a connection.
The peripheral is not needed for the New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, and New Nintendo 2DS, as these systems feature a built in NFC reader/writer underneath the bottom screen.
Appearances in the Animal Crossing series
In Happy Home Designer
Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer features two furniture items based on models of the Nintendo 3DS: the New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL. It also features the Nintendo 3DS shelf, which contains various 3DS games, and the Nintendo 3DS station, which is based on a retail store kiosk.
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New Nintendo 3DS
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New Nintendo 3DS XL
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Nintendo 3DS shelf
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Nintendo 3DS station
In Welcome amiibo
The Welcome amiibo update to Animal Crossing: New Leaf features all the 3DS-related items introduced in Happy Home Designer, as well as six new items: the New 3DS XL - HHD, which is based on a real Happy Home Designer-themed New Nintendo 3DS XL model, and the New 3DS - Isabelle, New 3DS - K.K., New 3DS - Mabel, New 3DS - Sable, New 3DS - T&T, which feature faceplates of their respective characters. Interacting with any 3DS console item allows the player to play Animal Crossing Puzzle League.
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New Nintendo 3DS (White - White)
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New Nintendo 3DS (White - Black)
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New Nintendo 3DS (White - Polka dot)
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New Nintendo 3DS (Black - White)
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New Nintendo 3DS (Black - Black)
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New Nintendo 3DS (Black - Polka dot)
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New Nintendo 3DS XL (Metallic blue)
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New Nintendo 3DS XL (Metallic black)
In Pocket Camp
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp features a New Nintendo 3DS XL furniture item.
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New Nintendo 3DS XL