Nintendo 3DS Not Safe for Young Children?

Kris Erickson • Dec 29, 2010 • Comments ()

Nintendo has issued a warning to parents planning to purchase the latest handheld game system when the 3DS launches in January. Apparently, the company is unsure what health effects might be produced by staring too long at 3D images on the device's screen. The firmware on the machine will come with parental controls that allow parents to switch off the extra dimension of fun or limit the amount of playtime per session. Kids under six should probably not use the device, at least in 3D mode, according to Nintendo Japan. "If your physical condition worsens or you become ill, please stop playing at once," states Nintendo.

Nintendo recommends that players of all ages take breaks after only 30 minutes of play time. Before people start freaking out and writing headlines like "The Nintendo 3DS Will Destroy Childrens' Eyeballs", it's important to remember that Nintendo has historically been very cautious with health warnings for its products. The Wii and DS devices also came with warnings to limit play time and take breaks, although that hasn't stopped us from pulling marathon sessions on those two consoles.

Somehow we don't think that this news story, or the warnings, will have much of an effect on sales of the device. Nintendo could probably claim that the 3DS caused massive brain tumors and people (like us) would still be lined up to buy it.