Will the real Nintendo 3DS launch please stand up?

Brian Ambrozy 2 Jun, 2011 at 2:17pm ET Article published in Gaming

Today Nintendo announced that on June 6th, the 3DS will be getting a system update that brings the somewhat weakly-launched 3DS into what it should have been from day one. The system update will bring an internet browser, the Nintendo eShop, and more.

The most exciting feature is the Nintendo eShop. Launching with the eShop is a (for a limited time) free copy of Excitebike, which has been remastered for the 3DS technology. Nintendo also unveiled some of the upcoming Virtual Console content for the 3DS: Game Boy classics Super Mario Land, Alleyway, and Radar Mission. Just like with the Wii Virtual Console, new content will come on Thursdays.

Categories for the 3DS Virtual Console include:

3D Classics—remastered classic games (such as Excitebike)
Game Boy
Game Boy Color
DSiWare

To celebrate the launch, Nintendo is also giving away a free Pokédex application which allows you to view more than 150 Pokémon from Black and White in full 3D, with animation and sound. Players can collect Pokémon in a variety of ways, including SpotPass and Pokémon AR markers (augmented reality markers).

Another much-awaited feature that is coming with the update: Owners of DSiWare titles from previous DSi and DSi XL systems will be able to transfer “most of” their games to their 3DS.

Last but not least, they mentioned that the browser that comes with the update can be used during gameplay. Games will be paused while the browser is in use.

Comments

3 Jun 2011 ~ 9:37am d3k0y GOOD! I was all kinds of excited to get the 3DS so I could get some old games to play on it, but nope.

It has been pretty lackluster so far, though PilotWings is really fun.
3 Jun 2011 ~ 1:37pm primesuspect D3k0y, you should register on Icrontic
3 Jun 2011 ~ 10:19pm Bandrik Some neat things coming. Yeah I wish they were here sooner, but this is still pretty cool. The fact the browser can be pulled up mid-game is surprising, and very handy. The most basic use for this is reading up on a guide if you get stuck, and it just gets better from there.
6 Jun 2011 ~ 5:22pm Annes Eli got me a 3DS for muh birfdayz and I've been trying to update it all day. I got an update this morning but it didn't include a browser or a store.
7 Jun 2011 ~ 6:07am Thrax You probably got the first update, which came out around launch. I've read that deployment to 3DS users may take up to 48 hours.
7 Jun 2011 ~ 10:52am Cliff_Forster Not gonna lie, at first I though, Zelda Ocarina of Time, meh, been there, done that. Now that I have seen a little more if it, I kinda want a 3DS. I think its going to be a huge system seller.
7 Jun 2011 ~ 11:57am mertesn

Cliff_Forster wrote:

Not gonna lie, at first I though, Zelda Ocarina of Time, meh, been there, done that. Now that I have seen a little more if it, I kinda want a 3DS. I think its going to be a huge system seller.

Eventually, yes. I have no doubt of that. It's just hard to justify without a strong library that should have launched with the system. I've played Pilotwings at a store kiosk and it was fun, but not enough to justify dropping $250. Give me an original Metroid, Super Mario, and Zelda, then we'll talk.
7 Jun 2011 ~ 2:04pm primesuspect The update came today; the store is solid and they're gonna have a lot of titles soon. At the press conference today they hinted at a lot of HD remakes of classic games as well. The virtual console lineup looks solid as well, with a lot of classic Gameboy and Gameboy Color titles.

It's time to buy a 3DS.
7 Jun 2011 ~ 8:50pm Bandrik Pro-tip: for those that never played it and are getting a 3DS, get Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening from the virtual console store. One of THE best Zelda games. For a classic grayscale Game Boy game, it was leagues ahead of its time. Cute and simple story, solid gameplay, and a nice musical score... plus an ending that excuses you if you shed a few man-tears.

Yeah. It's good.
8 Jun 2011 ~ 12:20am cola I played the DX version of Link's Awakening on the GBC, second handheld game I ever owned. Absolutely freaking amazing game.
8 Jun 2011 ~ 7:03am mertesn

mertesn wrote:

Eventually, yes. I have no doubt of that. It's just hard to justify without a strong library that should have launched with the system. I've played Pilotwings at a store kiosk and it was fun, but not enough to justify dropping $250. Give me an original Metroid, Super Mario, and Zelda, then we'll talk.

Maybe I spoke too soon.

Mario Kart looked pretty fun.

While I'm still mildly annoyed Zelda is a remake of Ocarina of Time, and it would be the third time buying the game, it does look like a pretty good remake. Still want a new title though.

Still want Metroid. Other M was incredibly short. Nintendo (or whomever gets the contract for the franchise) is probably saving that one for Wii U.

They'll get my money eventually. Maybe this year, maybe next year, but they'll get it.
8 Jun 2011 ~ 11:04am Bandrik

cola wrote:

I played the DX version of Link's Awakening on the GBC, second handheld game I ever owned. Absolutely freaking amazing game.

Gooooooood.... gooooooood....
10 Jun 2011 ~ 4:43pm primesuspect Skyward Sword. Do want. Now.

The problem is, I know there's going to be a Wii AND a Wii U release. Which means I won't be buying the Wii version. Which means I have to wait longer.
10 Jun 2011 ~ 6:31pm mertesn

primesuspect wrote:

Skyward Sword. Do want. Now.

The problem is, I know there's going to be a Wii AND a Wii U release. Which means I won't be buying the Wii version. Which means I have to wait longer.

Didn't sound like there would be two releases. What makes you say that?
10 Jun 2011 ~ 6:47pm primesuspect Seeing it played on Wii U
10 Jun 2011 ~ 6:48pm mertesn

primesuspect wrote:

Seeing it played on Wii U

100% backwards compatible with Wii games. I'm still in doubt about two versions.
10 Jun 2011 ~ 7:44pm primesuspect The demo of Skyward Sword on the Wii U looked phenomenal; it definitely was not the Wii version. The graphics looked PC quality.
10 Jun 2011 ~ 7:45pm primesuspect They did it with Twilight Princess.. why not Skyward Sword?