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3D Classics

3D Classics is a series of emulated classic video games developed by Arika and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. They have been enhanced with stereoscopic 3D functionality and additional features while largely retaining their original art style and graphics.

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3D Classicsa is a series of emulated classic video games developed by Arika and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS. They have been enhanced with stereoscopic 3D functionality and additional features while largely retaining their original art style and graphics.

Development

The 3D Classics releases were directed by Takao Nakano, a member of Nintendo's Special-Planning & Development Department.1 Development on the line began in 2009, starting with Namco Bandai Games' Xevious. The development team underestimated the amount of work required to add stereoscopic 3D to a 2D game, requiring much more work than a simple port. Arika attempted a 3D Classics version of the NES/Famicom game Tennis because the background had perspective, but found it looked unimpressive in 3D while requiring re-coding collision detection almost from scratch.23

Release

During the reveal of the Nintendo 3DS at E3 2010, a non-playable demo titled 3D Classics Collection was shown to attendees, showing video of several NES and Super NES games being emulated in stereoscopic 3D.4 A total of 18 games were demonstrated, including Super Mario World, Mega Man 2, and Castlevania, with Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aimé stating these games were planned for future release.45

The first entry in the 3D Classics line, 3D Classics: Excitebike, was announced at Nintendo's fiscal year 2010 investor's meeting in April 2011. The meeting also confirmed that it would be available at the launch of the Nintendo eShop, and would be free to download for the first month before becoming a paid purchase.6 The game launched alongside the eShop in all regions on June 7, 2011,7891011 and remained free to download until July 7 in Western territories7812 and July 31 in Japan.1011

3D Classics: Kid Icarus was initially available via promotions in each region, before later becoming available as a paid purchase. In Japan, it was available for free to users who registered any two Nintendo 3DS titles on Club Nintendo between October 1, 2011 and January 15, 2012;13 it became available to download starting December 19, 2011, ahead of the paid public release.14 In North America, select stores offered it as a pre-order bonus for Kid Icarus: Uprising; it was made available for these players alongside Uprising's release on March 23, 2012, ahead of the paid public release of the 3D Classics title.15 In Europe, it was available early for free to users who registered two of a selection of Nintendo 3DS titles on Club Nintendo between November 1, 2011 and January 31, 2012;16 it became available to download starting January 5, 2012.1718 In Australia, it was available early for free to users who registered two of a selection of Nintendo 3DS titles on Club Nintendo between November 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012;1920 download codes were emailed starting January 17, 2012.

List of games

A total of six 3D Classics games were published by Nintendo, all released within the first year of the eShop's availability.

Title Original system Original release Japan North America Europe Australia
Excitebike NES 1984 June 7, 20111011 June 6, 20117 June 7, 20118 June 7, 20119
Kid Icarus Famicom Disk Systemb 1986 January 18, 201221c April 19, 201222d February 2, 201223e April 12, 2012f
Kirby's Adventure NES 1993 April 25, 201224 November 17, 201125 November 17, 201126 November 17, 2011
TwinBee NES 1985 August 10, 201127 September 22, 201128 September 22, 201129 September 22, 2011
Urban Champion NES 1984 July 13, 201130 August 18, 201131 August 18, 201132 August 18, 201133
Xevious Arcade 1983 June 7, 201111 July 21, 201134 July 21, 201135 July 21, 201136

Reception

Modojo's Chris Buffa criticized the 3D Classics line for being remakes of uninteresting games, commenting that the line should focus on major titles such as Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid.3

See also

See also

Notes

Notes

  1. Japanese: 3Dクラシックス, Hepburn: Surīdī Kurashikkusu
  2. While this game was released for NES in North America and PAL regions, the 3D Classics version is based on the Japanese Famicom Disk System release.
  3. Available early for free via a promotion starting December 19, 2011.
  4. Available early for free via a promotion starting March 23, 2012.
  5. Available early for free via a promotion starting January 5, 2012.
  6. Available early for free via a promotion starting January 17, 2012.
References

References

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  2. "Nintendo eShop - Classic Games in 3D". Iwata Asks. Nintendo. Archived from the original on December 16, 2022. Retrieved December 16, 2022.
  3. Buffa, Chris. "3DS 3D Classics: One Big Disappointment". Modojo. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  4. Ronaghan, Neal (June 20, 2010). "Non-Playable Demos". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  5. Kaluzska, Aaron (June 17, 2010). "First Look: 3DS Classic Collection". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  6. Yeung, Karlie (April 26, 2011). "Excitebike Releasing as 3DS Classic, Free to Download in Japan". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved March 28, 2026.
  7. Plunkett, Luke (June 2, 2011). "And These Are America's 3DS eShop Launch Applications (Pokémon!)". Kotaku. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
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  9. Vuckovic, Daniel (June 7, 2011). "Australian eShop pricing revealed, prepaid cards later this month". Vooks. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  10. touge (June 3, 2011). "3DS「3Dクラシックス エキサイトバイク」＆「3Dクラシックス ゼビウス」，"ニンテンドーeショップ"にて6月7日発売。エキサイトバイクは7月31日まで無料配信". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Retrieved December 19, 2025.
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  12. Vuckovic, Daniel (July 7, 2011). "Nintendo Download Update - (Not) In the Zone". Vooks. Retrieved December 19, 2025. Remember, today is your last day to pick up 3D Classics Excitebike for free.
  13. Sahdev, Ishaan (October 21, 2011). "Original Kid Icarus Will Be A 3D Classic For Nintendo 3DS, Too". Siliconera. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  14. Bivens, Danny (December 19, 2011). "3D Classics Kid Icarus Available in Japan - News". Nintendo World Report. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  15. "3D Classics Kid Icarus is a pre-order bonus for Uprising". Joystiq. January 19, 2012. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
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  19. Muddle, Tynan (January 17, 2012). "Nintendo Offers Australians Free Nintendo 3DS Game". Aussie-Gamer.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2012. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
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  22. Sahdev, Ishaan (April 19, 2012). "3D Classics: Kid Icarus Finally Flies Onto The U.S. Nintendo eShop". Siliconera. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  23. Phillips, Tom (January 30, 2012). "3D Classics Kid Icarus on 3DS eShop this week". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  24. Chihiro (April 24, 2012). "ニンテンドー3DS用ソフト「3Dクラシックス 星のカービィ 夢の泉の物語」の最新スクリーンショットが公開に". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  25. Fletcher, JC (November 17, 2011). "NintendoWare Weekly: Kirby's Adventure". Engadget. Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  26. "3D Classics Kirby's Adventure Puffs Up For Nintendo 3DS". Siliconera. October 21, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
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  30. McWhertor, Michael (July 6, 2011). "Urban Champion Is the Next Nintendo 3DS *Ahem* '3D Classic'". Kotaku. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
  31. Sahdev, Ishaan (August 18, 2011). "3D Classics: Urban Champion Is In This Week's eShop Update". Siliconera. Retrieved December 18, 2025.
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