Over at the Tokyo Game Show this week, Japanese hardware firm Tassei Denki has been showing off some hardware prototypes that could potentially give us a glimpse into the near future. One of these is of particular interest to us and appears to be a new concept for the Nintendo 3DS.
The two units on display are powered by Ryzen and are presumably emulating 3DS titles for the purposes of the demonstration. They both boast 6-inch screens with a 1080p AMOLED display and are capable of running games at 90Hz.
Here's a rough Google translation of Tassei Denki's display:
"Recently, the popularity of mobile devices for gaming has increased, and while there are many similar shapes, in the near future, what shape do you think it will develop into? While imagining what the future holds for playing retro and modern games on the go, this concept was born.
"Features include a refresh rate of 90Hz, you can play the classic Nintendo 3DS on the AMOLED dual screen (6 inch) with 2400 x 1080 pixels and 600 nits brightness. Demonstration of <RED> and <BLUE> where you can enjoy PC games with the powerful RyzenāS. It has been prepared for the purpose of this application."
Naturally, these units aren't endorsed or sponsored by Nintendo in any capacity, and even Tassei Denki notes on Twitter/X that "The prototypes on display at TGS are for the purpose of showing our technological capabilities".
Still, it's nice to see that there are companies out there thinking about this sort of thing, even if this particular concept never comes to pass (and we're not completely enamored with the console design itself, to be honest).
Our friends over at Time Extension have also highlighted another showing from Tassei Denki in the form of a Sega Saturn Mini that utilises FPGA technology.
What do you make of this 3DS concept? Do you think we'll start to see third-party 3DS consoles released in the coming years? Let us know your thoughts with a comment down below.
[source twitter.com]
Comments 59
Its more then welcome. A return to the 3DS.... I doubt that that's gonna happen...
Nintendo HDS is confirmed !
It will play both Switch and 3DS + NDS games.
"Ahhh, I'll buy that at a high price!"
Very cool proof-of-concept, though I don't think I can take the 3 separate Circle Pads very seriously XD
How do they show Pokemon X on the screen and its cartridge at the same time?..
This would be my perfect console: two screens, high resolution, plays NDS, 3DS and Switch natively and clam shell design. Let's all dream about this.
If it doesn't display 3D, there's no point.
@Zverik Presumably by having more than one copy.
I would buy it right away
Ä° was waiting for a Nintendo Switch 2 announcement not for a new 3DS version but Ä° take it.
Those tiny spread out buttons š¤¢
Bring on the Switch DS, next gen Switch with dual screens and a clam shell design ššš
I will have two, please
So, no 3D? Thatās a no from me.
Iāll repeat myself: next to analogue pocket, the 3DS is, and always will be, my favorite console. I have a lot to love for the clamshell design and for its simplicity yet itās still stuffed with love and care (streetpass! Little Easter eggs! Etc)
This is cool. Maybe Nintendo will go with a āswitch 2ā with a clamshell design next gen?
@SalvorHardin
I'm more concerned about them using the Xbox BAYX layout instead of Nintendo's ABXY.
I miss the 3DS
I'd rather have a proper D-Pad. The real 3DS looks better.
Yes please, go back to the 3DS format. Switch is not a viable portable format.
I used to own a DS-i years ago, but could never enjoy playing with it. I don't really see the point of a dual screen (same with the Wii U).
Really glad they moved away from that.
Switch is just perfect in my opinion (for on-the-go gaming).
It wonāt happenā¦At least not as a Nintendo product. But a 3DS(witch) console would be amazing!
Also not how it works, but itās cool thinking it would count as sales for both systems!
@Yalloo itās amazing for some games. Itās so nice having map Always displayed without taking up screen space, or for like curing party members without opening a menu. Simple, but effective. Or games that were using the touch screen a ton.
Some companies took really cool creative ideas and put them to use (ZombiU, for example).
However, there were a ton of game that the second screen was more of an afterthought.
@RootsGenoa Now i ask this without intending to insult you, but how many people actually used the 3D-function regularly?
I tried it a few times, had to strain really hard to even see the 3D-effect (In my case, i have a lazy right eye, so maybe i'm the outlier), and after 5 minutes, i just switched the 3D off and just played it as a more powerful DS.
I'd have traded the 3D for less crummy screens in a heartbeat.
I would be ok with just 60hz refresh rate. Anything over dreadful 240p resolution of 3ds is welcome.
@ZombAid82 what are you buying? What are you selling? What are you buying? What, what what, what are you selling?
I'd buy that for a dollar!
@mattesdude it could be that they had some great ideas for some games, now I surely missed out on all of those.
I remember the maps showing on the WiiU indeed, while the game remained unpaused, that was really not handy.
It was overall more of a gimmick then a real/useful functionality. A bit like the camera.
I'd say motion control is a much better gimmick for videogames than dual screens.
Anyways, thanks for sharing, and glad you could enjoy it. It's also good they try other things in general. Just wasn't for me.
@NorthwestEagle It could happen legally, only after the 3DS patents expire
@MysticX So many people use the stereoscopic 3D. Especially those that have the N3DS XL model. A little research on gaming forums, youtube comments etc and you will see that still there is a demand about 3DS unique feature!
But it is understandable if you have eye strain issues. So no worry 3DS is great console even without the 3D effect!
@Olliemar28
Can we please stop relying on twitter/X for image/text hosting?
The whims of Elon Musk render all the external links, like those in this article, often unviewable for someone who doesn't have/doesn't want an account on that site.
Also, I would LOVE a newER 3DS with the specs described.
@nukatha I get it, I really do. Funnily enough, we actually came across this story on Bluesky first, but we're unable to embed those links at this time. We're having conversations about how to navigate this going forward.
@Olliemar28
Thanks! I appreciate that you guys are working on it!
Twitter link won't load for me, shocker...was there a photo of this franken-console?
@MysticX I always have the 3D cranked up to 100%. Especially since the New 3DS line, where they just about perfected the effect. It looks great in some games, and itās barely used in a bunch of others.
I still use my 3DS, and that 3D slider remains at 100% to this day.
And RE Village, RE 4 Remake and Assassin's Creed Mirage coming to iOS isn't big news?
@nukatha Wholeheartedly agree, and thanks for being the one to tag the author and ask the question. I tried to view it but it wanted my birthday and a sign-in and I said "forget it." I won't make a Twitter login (I also refuse to ever call it "X" š¤¦āā).
It sounds really neat as a proof of concept though.
@MysticX I bought a New 3DS Japanese console for playing Japanese games, and found that the screen tech used in it made playing with the 3D effect on a lot more bearable than my launch OG USA console (where I also couldn't play Ocarina of Time 3D with the 3D on for more than five minutes without eye strain).
I feel like if they could've gotten that in the first time, it might have done better.
Breaking my heart.
@Indielink I'm looking at the copy right in front of me and there's only one, nice try
@MysticX maybe it's the games you tried it on? I also have a lazy eye and further damage to it, but I loved the 3d. Mine was stolen, or I'd still use it I bet
Been wondering what one of these with more modern tech would look like nowadays. Is super cool to see!
My eyes aren't as good as when I was a kid for 3D vs now. But when I was a kid I used 3D 100% of the time at max percent. The effect worked incredibly well on my eyes
Ahh yes buying a near identical gizmo that emulates games instead of using the gizmo you already carry with you everywhere to play the exact same 3DS games...makes perfect sense to me!
Yahhhhh....know what...If they came out with an OLED 3DS. I'd buy it. Just saying.
Why not make a card slot for 3DS games in the Switch 2? Thatād be great.
For what? 3DS is dead already.
@ZombAid82 "NOT ENOUGH CASH... Stranger..."
@Duffman92 different Arm-based SOC. Digital Media Professionals and Nvidia Arm chips aren't compatible, especially since there's different versions of the Arm instruction set. Hence why they are (more or less) redoing Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon. For example, the 3DS uses ARM11 whereas the Tegra X1 is Cortex-A57, the former debuted in 2002 and the latter in 2015. Made by separate companies and miles apart in instruction sets, it would be like resurrecting old PowerPC apps for previous Mac OS apps to run on Apple's new M-series chipsets. The valley is wide and vast. Could it be done? Maybe. We're seeing it with Luigi's Mansion 2; unless it has been ported over to a different engine.
I would image DS/3DS games will come to the Switch, but the question will be how to emulate them.
@Anti-Matter erm... actually, yes, yes please!
@MysticX Every game, all the time. I loved the 3D feature.
I just want to play IRONFALL Invasion on that thing please!
We need 3D for these.
@ZombAid82 Is that all stranger?
Here I thought in my old age (and that's old) I had probably bought my last system. But, I want it!
Whoa! I love the glasses free 3D of the 3DS, having a higher resolution and better quality screen would be amazing. I am definitely keeping an eye on this!
@reporterdavid sadly I think you are right. 3DS was imo peak Nintendo handheld. Switch is fine, but it's no 3ds. More a portable PlayStation in how it works - but still a good option for a commute gaming session, unlike the Steam Deck which almost requires a double seat booking.
@Anti-Matter yes please!
I loved the 3ds, I wish I still had one.
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