3DS screens could be bigger, technically possible to make television-size display

Even though many technical specs behind the 3DS are still under wraps, one thing is certain: The system possesses a 3.53-inch widescreen and 3.02-inch touch screen. The two screens are quite a bit smaller compared to what the DSi XL offers. However, Hideki Konno, who is heading development of Nintendo’s new portable, recently explained that this was a conscious design decision. Even though the company created the handheld hoping that consumers carry it around with them, Konno said that they could make the screen larger.

“The DSi XL was quite impactful with its very large screen, but the concept for the 3DS is to have consumers bring it out of their homes and carry it around, considering all of those Tag Mode functions in the hardware. If we make it too large, consumers might not be able to carry such a heavy thing in their bags. We wanted to make it compact…We can make it larger.”

Also noteworthy, Konno stated that it’s technically possible to incorporate the 3DS screen technology into a television-size display. But due to high costs and the fact that players would need to remain still in a specific position, there are currently no plans to introduce that idea to the market.

“We could do it, but besides the cost issue, consumers would have to be in one very specific position to watch the TV or the 3-D will be completely gone. With the handheld, there is only one position.”