3DS system update out tonight

Upon loading up the eShop or pretty much anything else, you’ll find a prompt for a firmware update. Version 3.0.0-6U doesn’t seem that exciting, as it hasn’t caused any noticeable changes.

Nintendo says “Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience.” I like … system stability! I guess!

Buy: Nintendo 3DS (Flame Red, Black, & Blue)

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tags / firmware / update / nintendo 3ds / jc / gaming

Lots of eShop changes, and other obscure additions from last night’s 3DS update

I covered the major additions from the new 3DS firmware update last night, but now that a few hours have passed since it’s release, a few fellows at NeoGAF with more keen eyes are spotting lots of small changes others missed.

Like apparently the eShop loads noticeably faster now? In fact, there’s a lot of welcome modifications to the eShop, which I’ve copied and pasted for you here:

• Add the exact amount you need to buy something from the eShop. You don’t have to add funds to a virtual wallet if you don’t want to anymore.
• Save your credit card info to your system. When you add funds, you have to type in a 4 to 8 digit code. If you mess up 3 times in a row, it deletes your info.
• Queue up to 10 downloads and download them through SpotPass while the system is in sleep mode.
• Redeem download codes. The option is under Settings/Other on the eShop.
• Downloadable demos are available now depending on your 3DS’s region. Japan has demos right now.

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tags / eshop / update / firmware / gaming / nintendo 3ds / 3ds / ec

New 3DS update is out!: 3D video recording, SpotPass Mii Plaza, and ‘Accomplishments’

Though the improved (I hope) eShop is still offline for maintenance, you can download the new 3DS firmware update right now to get 3D recording, a Find Mii sequel, 3DS-to-3DS software transfers, and other junk we’ve talked about plenty of times before.

Some other interesting additions in the update:

• SpotPass support added to StreetPass Mii Plaza, allowing you to bring people you’ve played online (not just passed in real life) into your system
• Achievements/Trophies-esque system called “Accomplishments” for StreetPass Mii Plaza
• Music Player for StreetPass Mii Plaza songs
• New puzzles for games like Rhythm Heaven, Ocarina of Time 3D, and Donkey Kong Country Returns
• CONGRATULATIONS! CONGRATULATIONS!

There’s more stuff with QR codes, the eShop (people in Japan get to download demos!), and more that I’m sure we’ll hear more about later. It looks like the built-in web browser also has minor changes?

Buy: Nintendo 3DS (Flame Red, Black, & Blue)

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[Image via pixiv]

tags / firmware / update / nintendo 3ds / 3ds / gaming / ec

Super Mario 3D Land features new firmware that blocks flashcarts [update]

Super Mario 3D Land’s non-game-related surprises aren’t limited to the absence of a full physical manual; Japanese copies offer a new 3DS firmware upgrade, v2.2.0-4.

Initial reports indicate that the update is mandatory to play the game, and that it adds anti-piracy protections designed to block flashcarts. It’s also said to add a button in your Friends List that lets you join a buddy’s game in progress (presumably if the game has an online multiplayer mode and support for this new feature).

[Update: Other Friends List enhancements include the ability to quick scroll through your list when holding down left/right, and your friends that are currently online will now appear at the front of your queue.]

It appears that this is not the same 3DS firmware as the one planned for release later this month, which will introduce video recording, 3DS-to-3DS software transfers, StreetPass improvements, and a bevy of eShop features (demos, DLC, etc). We will update this post if we hear more news about this firmware.

Buy: Super Mario 3D Land (November 13), 3DS system

Find: Nintendo DS/3DS release dates, discounts, & more

See also: More Super Mario 3D Land stuff

[Via enishi, watamario, n3ds]

tags / super mario 3d land / gaming / nintendo 3ds / 3ds / imports / firmware / update / piracy / flashcarts / ec

Nintendo bringing the eShop into the modern age with next month’s 3DS update

Nintendo is “aiming to accelerate [its] digital business”, and will introduce several new much-requested features to the 3DS’s online eShop platform when the system’s new firmware update releases late next month.

At an investors meeting today, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata said the new firmware will allow publishers to provide demos for their games via the eShop. Those companies can “put a limit on the number of trials”.

The November update will also support downloadable content (e.g. new stages) for games, presumably for both retail and digital releases, through the eShop. The CEO mentioned that microtransactions will be supported, too, according to a translated report from Kyodo News.

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tags / eshop / 3ds / nintendo 3ds / gaming / firmware / update / ec

Tiny Direct: All the 3DS news from this morning’s Nintendo event (and more!)

Nintendo streamed a pre-recorded, 40-minute presentation early this morning from Japan, and we’ve collected all the announcements the company made about the November 3DS firmware update, Mario Kart 7’s online features, eShop titles, and new games.

We’ve also sprinkled in news that has trickled in from the U.S. and Europe — like a 3DS and Wii app for video streaming service Hulu Plus coming out this year (separate $7.99 monthly subscription required). All of it below!:

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tags / 3ds / ec / eshop / firmware / gaming / lost heroes / nintendo 3ds / update

New 3DS firmware coming Nov. 4 [update]

[Update: We’re now told that there was some “internal confusion” within Nintendo regarding this update, and that the firmware will likely not appear on this date. An announcement on the release schedule should come up around then, though. Nintendo of Australia says it expects its 3DS firmware update to hit on November 22.]

Nintendo of Europe announced today that it’s dropping a 3DS firmware update on November 4 to add a new StreetPass game, 3D video recording features, and enhancements to the eShop and StreetPass Mii Plaza. These updates tend to hit all regions at the same time, so I would expect North American 3DSes to receive this around the same time.

The company will likely discuss the new firmware at the pre-recorded presentation it will stream this Friday at 7AM EDT. Nintendo will also talk about Mario Kart 7’s online features, and likely other topics — perhaps the GBA Ambassador titles, eShop projects (The Rolling Western?), and some new game announcements if we’re lucky?

What do you expect Nintendo to cover in this 3DS event? A new 3DS model? The Frankenstick? Pokemon Gray?

Buy: Nintendo 3DS (Flame Red, Black, & Blue)

Find: Nintendo DS/3DS release dates, discounts, & more

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[Via NintendoWorldReport; Image via MadArtist]

tags / firmware / update / gaming / nintendo 3ds / 3ds / ec

3DS firmware update hits November with 3D video recording, new StreetPass experiences

It’s been a a few months since we’ve seen a major firmware upgrade for the 3DS, and so Nintendo of America has announced that it’s delivering a new one some time this November allowing you to capture stereoscopic 3D video with the system’s dinky cameras.

The update also provides “new experiences for people who have conquered all the StreetPass challenges in StreetPass Mii Plaza”. I’m definitely not one of those people, since I’ve received like, what, three StreetPasses ever — but I’m sure those of you in 3DS-filled areas will appreciate this.

Furthermore, Nintendo revealed last night that it will update the eShop interface, though it didn’t specify how, or whether that will be included in the firmware release.

What do you want from future 3DS firmware updates?

Buy: Nintendo 3DS (Flame Red, Black, & Blue)

Find: Nintendo DS/3DS release dates, discounts, & more

See also: More Nintendo Conference news and media

[Image via Aquavelveman]

tags / firmware / nintendo 3ds / gaming / 3ds / update / ec / eshop / nintendo conference

New, vague system update for Nintendo 3DS

About a month after its last firmware release, Nintendo has put out a new update for the 3DS, providing this super uninformative note in version 2.1.0-4’s list of changes:

System stability improvements and other adjustments: Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience.

That sounds like anti-piracy measures, right? Well, according to people who’ve tried it out, the update doesn’t appear to employ any protections against flashcarts. So far, all anyone’s noticed is the NetFront web browser has been altered somehow, going from v.17412 to 1.7455; and colors were added to 3DS Sounds’ StreetPass data.

Nintendo does seem to have piracy on its mind, though, as its 2.1.0-4 update notes contain this block of text:

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tags / update / piracy / firmware / nintendo 3ds / 3ds / gaming / ec

Kirby’s Dream Land, DSi update released

As predicted, today’s portable Virtual Console release is Kirby’s Dream Land, the debut of the pink character (or white, if you go by the Game Boy box). It’s not Gargoyle’s Quest, but Tinkle Popo is well loved here, too.

Other eShop/DSiWare releases today: Chillingo’s Trials HD knock-off Moto eXtreme, Skyworks’ Boardwalk Ball Toss (really?), Circle’s curious action RPG The Lost Town: The Dust, and Cosmigo’s Hearts Spades Euchre.

Nintendo put out something else last night: a new DSi V.1.4.3 update promising the predictably vague “behind-the-scenes improvements to system performance”. Those behind-the-scene changes include new measures to block a selection of popular flashcarts, including the SuperCard DSTwo, Acekard 2i, and iPlayer.

It’s interesting that even with the 3DS out, Nintendo hasn’t scaled back its efforts to fight piracy on the DSi models, slowly hacking away at known exploits. Now if only the company would include substantial improvements to the DSi experience with these firmware releases.

Buy: Nintendo 3DS console (Cosmo Black, Aqua Blue)

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[Via Sop]

tags / eshop / kirbys dream land / hal software / dsiware / gaming / nintendo 3ds / 3ds / firmware / update / piracy