# Nintendo 3D Classics

Nintendo 3D Classics is a first-party series of NES/Famicom and arcade games updated for the Nintendo 3DS, with added stereoscopic 3D functionality and updated features while retaining their original art style and graphics.

## Development

The series was developed by Arika and published by Nintendo. These releases were directed by Takao Nakano from the Special-Planning & Development Department of Nintendo. Development on this set of games began in 2009, starting with Namco Bandai Games' Xevious. They 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.

## Release

The 3D Classics were originally announced shortly before the Nintendo eShop launched, with Excitebike being free for a limited time only before becoming a paid download.

## Reception

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

## List of games

The games are sorted by title. To sort by other columns, click the corresponding icon in the header row.
All Nintendo 3D Classics were published by Nintendo and developed by Arika.
| Title | Original system | Original release | Japan | North America | Europe | Australia |
| Excitebike | NES | 1984 | June 7, 2011 | June 6, 2011 | June 7, 2011 | June 7, 2011 |
| Kid Icarus | NES | 1986 | January 18, 2012 | April 19, 2012 | February 2, 2012 | April 12, 2012 |
| Kirby's Adventure | NES | 1993 | April 25, 2012 | November 17, 2011 | November 17, 2011 | November 17, 2011 |
| TwinBee | NES | 1986 | August 10, 2011 | September 22, 2011 | September 22, 2011 | September 22, 2011 |
| Urban Champion | NES | 1984 | July 13, 2011 | August 18, 2011 | August 18, 2011 | August 18, 2011 |
| Xevious | Arcade | 1982 | June 7, 2011 | July 21, 2011 | July 21, 2011 | July 21, 2011 |
* ↑ Available for free to users who logged on to the 3DS eShop between June 7 and July 7, 2011.
* ↑ The Famicom Disk System version, on which this 3D Classic is based, wasn't originally available in North America or PAL regions. The original NES version had been previously released on the Wii Virtual Console in both North America and Europe.
* ↑ Available early for free to users who registered any two Nintendo 3DS titles on Club Nintendo between October 1, 2011 and January 15, 2012. The download codes could be used starting December 19, 2011, ahead of the paid public release.
* ↑ Previously available as a pre-order bonus (at select stores) for Kid Icarus: Uprising on its release day March 23, 2012, ahead of the paid public release of the 3D Classics title.
* ↑ 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. Download codes were emailed starting January 5, 2012.
* ↑ 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. Download codes were emailed starting January 17, 2012.
* ↑ The Famicom version, on which this 3D Classic is based, wasn't originally available in North America or PAL regions. The game had never originally been released, outside of Japan.