Setup Guides - Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo 3DS/3DS XL/2DS

To set up your Nintendo 3DS (or the larger 3DS XL or more affordable Nintendo 2DS models from the same family), press the power button and follow the on-screen setup instructions. You may need to plug the system into the charger and allow the battery to charge before the system will turn on. When the system is charging the orange charge light will come on, and will turn off when the battery is fully charged. The power light will be green when the system is turned on, but will turn red when the battery is low and begin flashing when the battery is about to die.

The Nintendo 2DS lacks 3D capability and the closable clamshell design. It instead it has a switch that allows the system to go into sleep mode. If you’re unable to get your Nintendo 2DS to power on, make sure that the system is not set to sleep mode.

The Nintendo 3DS has a slot for a standard size SD card you can use to save game data or pictures from the system’s camera to. Make sure the card is unlocked and insert it into the slot face-down. Be aware that not all SD cards are compatible. You can find information on which SD cards are or are not compatible here.

The Nintendo 3DS can play Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS cartridges. While Nintendo DS games are not region locked, 3DS games are and will only play on systems of the same region. Also note that there are some 3DS games that will only play on the upgraded “New 3DS” model. You can find a list here [link]. Cartridges will read when inserted either before or after powering the system on, where the game can then be selected from the home menu.

If a game cartridge isn’t reading, the contacts may be dirty. DS and 3DS cartridges can be cleaned with a toothbrush wetted in rubbing alcohol. If the cartridge’s contacts show signs of corrosion you may also need to use a small tool like a toothpick to better scrape it away.

If the touch screen is not responding to touches accurately, it may be miscalibrated. You can recalibrate it by going into the system options, selecting the calibration tool, and following the directions on screen. [demonstrative image pending]

A copy of the Nintendo 3DS user manual can be found here.

A copy of the Nintendo 2DS user manual can be found here.

New Nintendo 3DS/3DS XL/2DS XL

The confusingly named New Nintendo 3DS (as well as the larger New 3DS XL and more affordable New 2DS) systems have two additional buttons and an additional thumb stick, as well as higher processing power. Because of this there are several games that will only play on the New 3DS systems. You can find a list of these games here [link under construction]. The 2DS also lacks the 3D capabilities that the 3DS systems do.

To set up your New Nintendo 3DS (or the larger 3DS XL or more affordable Nintendo 2DS models from the same family), press the power button and follow the on-screen setup instructions. You may need to plug the system into the charger and allow the battery to charge before the system will turn on. When the system is charging the orange charge light will come on, and will turn off when the battery is fully charged. The power light will be green when the system is turned on, but will turn red when the battery is low and begin flashing when the battery is about to die.

The New Nintendo 3DS has a slot for a micro size SD card you can use to save game data or pictures from the system’s camera to. On the New 3DS and 3DS XL models this SD card slot is beneath the back plate of the system and will require a small Phillips head screwdriver to access. On the New 2DS system this SD card slot is inside the cartridge slot [demonstrative pictures] Be aware that not all SD cards are compatible. You can find information on which SD cards are or are not compatible here.

The New Nintendo 3DS can play Nintendo DS and Nintendo 3DS cartridges, as well as “New 3DS” cartridges. While Nintendo DS games are not region locked, 3DS games are and will only play on systems of the same region. Cartridges will read when inserted either before or after powering the system on, where the game can then be selected from the home menu.

If a game cartridge isn’t reading, the contacts may be dirty. DS and 3DS cartridges can be cleaned with a toothbrush wetted in rubbing alcohol. If the cartridge’s contacts show signs of corrosion you may also need to use a small tool like a toothpick to better scrape it away.

If the touch screen is not responding to touches accurately, it may be miscalibrated. You can recalibrate it by going into the system options, selecting the calibration tool, and following the directions on screen. [demonstrative image pending]

A copy of the New Nintendo 3DS manual can be found here.

A copy of the New Nintendo 2DS manual can be found here.