The idea of shooting the Artemis II launch on a 3DS might sound bananas considering most of us have 4K camcorders in our pockets, but a fan of the retro handheld has shared a unique clip of the takeoff that's more charming than the official feed.
Captured by proud 3DS owner Cambot72, the 3DS Artemis II launch clip is as janky as you'd expect. We're talking about a handheld from 2011 with a 0.3 megapixel camera and zero image stabilization. Yet, the portable has somehow managed to produce a shot that, despite the resolution, looks pretty clear, and since the camera person has shared the raw video file, you can even watch it back in 3D if you have the console or a compatible screen.
Recording the first Human crewed moon mission of its kind in over 50 years on a 3DS is naturally just a bit of fun. That said, if criticism of NASA's own Artemis II launch footage is anything to go by, space enthusiasts might get more out of the handheld's unique shot. The agency's official feed is coming under fire over at r/ArtemisProgram for bad tracking and frame rate issues, with some critics even saying "TV networks achieved a greater result in the 1960s with far less sophisticated camera technology."
Artemis II Launch Shot on 3DS from r/3DS
It's safe to say there probably aren't many people out there capturing historic moments like the Artemis II launch on old handhelds, but you'd be surprised how often Nintendo's handhelds show up to events. While gigs are hardly comparable to NASA missions, I spotted what appeared to be a DSi XL during a State Champs show in Glasgow last year, which supports the idea that using portables from 15 years ago to capture moments is becoming its own genre of videography.
Using a 3DS specifically grants the extra benefit of 3D, which isn't something you'll get by default even with high-end cameras in 2026. Ninty's stereoscopic effect was actually pretty advanced for the time since it doesn't require additional glasses, and the "New" 3DS even adds eye tracking to address having to hold the handheld at specific angles.
I suspect this won't be the last time we see older handhelds tasked with archiving important events, but this might be the only 3DS Artemis II footage out there. Even if the clip ultimately isn't considered significant archival material that should be preserved at all costs, it's a wonderfully janky account of a historic NASA launch that feels more exciting thanks to its lo-fi charm.
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