3DS was originally codenamed the Nintendo S, didnt have 3D

Hideki Konno, group manager of the 3DS hardware, reveals a little about the 3DS developmental process

In a recent interview with 1Up.com, Hideki Konno, the group manager of the 3DS hardware project has revealed some rather surprising fun facts about the 3DS, back then known as the Nintendo S, including the fact that the two of the major features of the 3DS, 3D and motion controls, werent actually apart of the original design (which would explain why this prototype of the 3DS doesnt have a 3D camera).

Konno stated that although Nintendo had been experimenting with 3D for a while, 3D was not part of the original design, but they chose to add it in as glasses-less 3D prototypes were starting to emerge around the electronics industry. "With this system [the 3DS], you could say the timing was just right for us. It was the right time to start thinking about using the latest in high-tech and try out glasses-free 3D. The technology we got to demo was really impressive, and starting in early 2009, we began to think that it was time to bring it to games." 

Regarding the gyro sensors, Konno also mentioned that they were added in very far down the line, almost too far down. "We officially went with them just before E3 last year [in June]. The boat had really left the port by that point — the hardware team had the final specs and just had to work it all out. Then, in the midst of that, Miyamoto said This isnt enough; we can really change things if theres a gyro sensor in there. We had a prototype for the sensor already, so we got everyone together to try it out, and the conclusion we came up with was Well, if we can do things this fun with it, I guess weve got no choice." Looks like another case of Miyamoto to the rescue then, eh?

The 3DS is being released in Japan this Saturday, and has an Australian release date of March 31st.