3DS dev hardware images sighted?

By Richard Leadbetter Published 17 May, 2010

Two screens, only one is stereo 3D.

Nintendo appears to be testing a new DS - very likely the 3DS - with the US Federal Communications Commission.

Images of the testing, seemingly now removed from the FCC filing, showed what is referred to as a "Nintendo CTR Target Board".

The company's aim with this deposition was seemingly to get the Wi-Fi card used by the system approved for use in the USA.

So what is this board exactly, and what does it tell us? The only image we have was initially posted at the end of last month by WirelessGoodness, and brought to our attention by reader Daniele Brigliadori, and can be seen below.

It looks like a Nintendo DS test kit or development station stripped down to the motherboard. As the testing was all about the Wi-Fi card, its components have been highlighted in the FCC's images.

'3DS dev hardware images sighted?' Screenshot 1

WirelessGoodness surmised that it may be a new iteration of DS, or it could simply be a test board submitted by Nintendo to get approval for the inclusion of a new Wi-Fi card for the existing model.

However, the twin screen arrangement on this system is unlike anything seen in any current DS system. All DS systems released to date feature dual 4:3 screens, but what we are clearly seeing here is a widescreen display paired with the more traditional display.

If this is the new Nintendo 3DS in test kit form, it suggests that the system retains its unique dual-screen set-up, but that only one of the displays features Sharp's auto-stereoscopic 3D tech, with the second, lower screen running without the 3D functionality.

It's a shame that the only photograph we have is low-resolution, making in-depth examination of the setup of the board all but impossible. However, we do see the inclusion of stereo speakers, a slot for DS cartridges plus the usual SD card port too - standard for the normal DS of course, but expected for the new hardware any way.

Perhaps the biggest tell, however, is the codename: CTR. Each of the Nintendo hardware revisions for the DS has been given such a three-letter codename. The Nintendo DSi is referred to internally as TWL, while its jumbo counterpart, the DSi XL, is known as UTL. The CTR designation hasn't been used before, which along with the screen configuration suggests a brand new kind of Nintendo DS.

With the firm extremely unlikely to launch a new iteration of the existing hardware with the 3DS just around the corner, it does strongly suggest that this is indeed development hardware strongly connected to a new platform.

Picture of Richard.

About Richard Leadbetter

Rich has been a games journalist since the days of 16-bit and specialises in technical analysis. Commonly known around Eurogamer as the Blacksmith of the Future.

Read more articles from Richard by visiting the Richard Leadbetter archive page.

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Comments (23) Latest comment 2 years ago

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  • Britesparc Verified Creative, ITV #1 2 years ago

    I don't mind only one of the screens being in 3D, but I'd hoped they were both widescreen. Does this mean the end of games which "carry on" across both screens?

    Anyway, it's all fascinating.

  • J0rdan_KZ #2 2 years ago

    It really is kind of crazy how they manage to get a working prototype like that down to such a small handheld. I love seeing insights like this! :)

  • INSOMANiAC #3 2 years ago

    Not that interested in 3d but was really hoping that both screens would be touching so that games are more seamless.Stuff like Metroid pinball is spoilt somewhat by the gap between the screens.

  • Bander #4 2 years ago

    If 3DS uses a widescreen display, couldn't the 2 screen layout of the DS simply just fit onto that one screen if it had touch?

    The controls may need to be rotated 90 degrees somehow; perhaps with the screen on a pivot, or with buttons being transferred to the edge of the touchscreen. But I can't help but think that the lower screen seems redundant. What purpose will it serve for any 3DS game, other than as an costly space and power-consuming touch-pad?

  • wizlon #5 2 years ago

    This is most likely an early prototype using what Nintendo had lying around, I doubt they would submit an advanced prototype for such an approval process. Because of this I believe this layout is not representative of the final set-up. June isn't far away to find out.

  • cozeny #6 2 years ago

    It looks kinda ugly to me; can't believe they'd go from the neat industrial design of the current DSi to this ugly chip-board chic.

  • Caimbeul #7 2 years ago

    I reckon they will be looking to rob punters for £150 for the 3DS. I hope I am wrong but their pricing is very bad. you can buy a 360 for the price of a DSiXL

  • CallousB #8 2 years ago

    Hmm..I'd prefer to see both screens the same size..

    ...but I can understand their thinking.

    Having the smaller bottom screen leaves room for the D-Pads/buttons without have to increase the width of the hardware.

  • alcides #9 2 years ago

    It's obvious that the hinge will break.

  • bit-crusheRRRR #10 2 years ago


    CallousB
    Having the smaller bottom screen leaves room for the D-Pads/buttons without have to increase the width of the hardware.

    Also means they can use the same touchscreen from the ds, so no multi-touch and of course it'd keep the cost down.

  • abigsmurf #11 2 years ago

    Anyone able to ID the card slot? SD? Flash? DS?

    If anyone id's it, I'll work out the size of the screens.

    *edit*

    I've assumed the slot is for DS carts. I can't guarantee the accuracy (it's hard to estimate how a DS cart sits in the slot with pixel sharp accuracy).

    My conclusion: the 4:3 screen is 3.25" (same as DSi), the top screen is ~3.65". Falls in line with the rumours the Japanese papers said (less than 4";) although it's a different size from the Sharp screen announced recently. There's a possibility the wide-screen is slightly smaller if there's a bezel not visible at that level of detail. I'm assuming everything that's black is LCD.
    Edited by 1 at 17/05/10 @ 13:02

  • viper_h #12 2 years ago

    The metal slot at the bottom left looks like a DS slot. The grey one towards the top is an SD.

  • photoboy #13 2 years ago

    Does that look like an analogue nub in the bottom middle of the board to anyone else?

    I would imagine the reason for the mis-matching screens is because it's a prototype and they either didn't have a widescreen touch screen to hand or they didn't have a 4:3 3D screen available. I'd be surprised if they go for an uneven design, but who knows?

    I'm not surprised the touch screen isn't 3D, I doubt it would be as effective with a finger/stylus in the way anyway and there would probably be issues with mixing a touch layer on top of the somewhat delicate 3D screen tech.

  • abigsmurf #14 2 years ago

    Looks like a single analogue nub. Especially given the digital inputs are to the right of it.

    Lefties are going to have incredible problems with this console if they don't mirror that nub (which the board suggests they won't). We'll be forced to hold the stylus in our right hands.

  • Flying_Pig #15 2 years ago

    Interesting that there are no identifiable chips on the board (CPU/GPU) Maybe they're hidden under the raised circuit boards?

  • mal #16 2 years ago

    @cozeny It's a dev board. They always look ugly. They're meant to.

  • Shadders #17 2 years ago

    Surely if both screens were 3d your eyes would just break as they'd be receiving 4 different angled images and wouldn't be able to focus on them all?

  • CallousB #18 2 years ago

    "Surely if both screens were 3d your eyes would just break as they'd be receiving 4 different angled images and wouldn't be able to focus on them all?"

    Depends . If you're playing with one screen above the other then it should be OK..as you only really have to ensure you're viewing down the centre of the screens along the vertical.

    In book form you would have a problem as it would be impossible to view both screens along the vertical at the same time.
    Edited by 2 at 17/05/10 @ 14:34

  • peterfll #19 2 years ago

    Does it come in pink?

  • sonicyoda #20 2 years ago

    I'd always assumed they go for 1 3D screen. Hopefully the XL size screens will stay.

  • triple_a #21 2 years ago

    @Flying_Pig: sure there are: look right from the Wifi module. You can see two chips. I suspect one of them is the CPU/GPU and the other is a power management chip. This would suggest TI OMAP / Freescale i.MX or other high-end multimedia processor setup. The GPU is most probably integrated in the same chip with the processor.

  • Pirotic #22 2 years ago

    you need to look at the 3D screens pretty much straight on, which is why you have one touch screen down the bottom and the 3D screen up the top.

  • L0cky #23 2 years ago

    #CallousB: "In book form you would have a problem as it would be impossible to view both screens along the vertical at the same time."

    I hadn't thought about book form. Anyone know if parrallax works on a single axis? Perhaps book orientation isn't even supported in 3D.