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The Nintendo 3DS's best feature was the under-appreciated StreetPass
The 3DS may have tried to appeal with its 3D graphics, but it was the StreetPass feature that made many players love it.
Nintendo Switch ditches StreetPass and Miiverse
You'll have to say goodbye to your StreetPass collection if you decide to completely abandon the 3DS in favor of Nintendo's hybrid console. David Young, assistant manager of PR at Nintendo of America, told VentureBeat that the Switch won't have access to the StreetPass feature and the gaming giant's social network Miiverse. He said that it "plays into the idea of the Switch as a home console." It's likely to establish the Switch as a gaming device for your home -- a replacement for the Wii U -- even though you can take it out of its dock for on-the-go gaming. That's in line with the company's earlier revelation that it's still considering a separate successor to the 3DS. If the absence of both StreetPass and Miiverse doesn't bother you, the Switch is arriving on March 3rd and will set you back $300.
Nintendo finally increases the 3DS StreetPass limit to 100
The ability to share information via StreetPass with other players has always been a fun reason to carry your 3DS everywhere. But you can only capture up to 10 users' Miis at a time, and going through them is a time-consuming pain. On this morning's Nintendo Direct the company announced a new "Quick Plaza" to make the process a lot smoother, as well as a new premium feature that can increase your number of potential encounters to 100.
Pokemon StreetPass game coming to Japan, tied to movie
The Pokemon Company officially unveiled The Thieves and the 1,000 Pokemon for Japan, a 3DS eShop game that intertwines the series' critter-capturing with the system's StreetPass functionality. Players find and collect sticker-like versions of Pokemon using StreetPass, and then use their army of pocket monsters to take down thieves and retrieve their stolen loot. The game will be available for free in Japan between June 5 and September 30 - there's no word on whether or not it includes any in-app purchases. As for a Western release, while Pokemon games tend to make their way overseas, this one may take a while. The Thieves and the 1,000 Pokemon features characters and promotions tied to the new film, Pokemon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction. The film hits Japan on July 19, and while it's likely to receive a Western release, going by previous films it'll take a few months at least. So if the game is going to get a Western release, it seems likely it won't be at the same time as Japan. [Image: The Pokemon Company]
Nintendo put limits on 3DS StreetPass sharing so it can add features later
StreetPass data swaps are handy for 3DS owners who want to expand their games with other players' content, but they limit the number of new people you can accept at any one time. Ever wonder why that is? As it turns out, Nintendo has been futureproofing the service all along. The company's Kouichi Kawamoto tells Kotaku that the 10-player connection cap in StreetPass Mii Plaza leaves headroom for larger data exchanges. While Kawamoto isn't saying what additional info gamers could send to each other, he notes that Nintendo will only lift the cap if it decides that there's nothing more to add. There aren't any current plans to raise that ceiling, he says. The news will no doubt frustrate players tired of clearing their StreetPass queues, but it does hint at an eventual reward for their patience.
Nintendo declares National StreetPass Weekend on Dec. 14-15
Make sure your Nintendo 3DS is charged up and ready for some passive data-sharing action this Friday and Saturday, as Nintendo has declared December 14 and 15 to be the first-ever National StreetPass Weekend in North America. Over the weekend, Nintendo will shuffle around relayed StreetPasses at Nintendo Zone locations nationwide, allowing players to meet with faraway StreetPassers from all 50 states. Nintendo previously hosted a National StreetPass Day in the UK, though the North American holiday simply asks 3DS owners to travel to the nearest Starbucks or Best Buy to participate, instead of a centralized meet-up location. Nintendo added further incentive to try out its StreetPass service with a collection of four StreetPass games released earlier this year, rewarding players with Mii hats and other bonuses for meeting up with fellow 3DS owners in public.
3DS StreetPass relay points upgraded, content distribution events planned
Nintendo's 3DS StreetPass relay point functionality will soon be improved, allowing players to access data at Nintendo Zone locations from more 3DS owners at once, Nintendo announced during today's Nintendo Direct presentation. "Starting in a few days," players that pass through Nintendo Zone locations with their 3DS systems in sleep mode will access data from up to six other passers-by instead of the usual one, greatly improving their chances at completing puzzles and other StreetPass games. Additionally, Nintendo noted plans for special StreetPass distribution events for game content in October and November, starting with an Animal Crossing: New Leaf fedora chair on October 1, then a sushi platter on October 15. Other 3DS games receiving bonus content via StreetPass include Mario Kart 7, Kid Icarus: Uprising and Super Mario 3D Land. Relay points were added to the system in an August firmware update, though numerous reports indicated that it didn't function properly in early September. Nintendo's paid StreetPass games made $4 million in one month, so the relay point update seems appropriate enough.
PSA: StreetPass relay points across the US aren't doing their jobs
Joystiq has received numerous reports that Nintendo's 3DS StreetPass relay points aren't functioning. The relay points are physical Nintendo Zone locations across the globe that temporarily store user data from passers-by like Miis and select profiles from games, then transfer that data to players that walk by in the future. StreetPass relay points were introduced in a 3DS firmware update in August as a means of providing players with more chances to swap data for use in apps like the four new Mii Plaza games, which made $4 million in one month. Nintendo's support page notes that players must have firmware 6.2.0- 0U or higher on their systems in order to use the service, though some users claimed the latest 3DS firmware hasn't alleviated their woes. Others noted that some locations, such as McDonald's, only relayed data after logging in to free wi-fi services using the 3DS web browser. We've reached out to Nintendo for more information, and will update as we learn more. [Thanks, alittlebird!]
3DS owners get tired of searching for StreetPasses, build their own Nintendo Zone relays
Unless you live in a densely populated city, you probably struggle to make the most of the 3DS' StreetPass feature -- it's why Nintendo implemented a StreetPass Relay program earlier this month. Now, less than a week after the Mii-sharing setup launched, the gaming community has found a way to exploit it. Users on the GBATemp forums have discovered that spoofing the MAC address of a known Nintendo Zone router while broadcasting the correct SSID creates a homemade relay that pulls the latest StreetPass data from Nintendo's servers. This trick allows gamers to remotely share StreetPass data from the comfort of their own home. It's not a gateway to unlimited passes, however -- just like with local 3DS systems, the relay stations will only share data with an individual handheld once every eight hours, requiring die-hard "homepassers" to manually change their spoofed MAC for each additional StreetPass they want to collect. There is also some concern that Nintendo will notice this remote StreetPass setup and block the known MAC addresses (or worse, infringing handhelds) in an attempt to combat exploitation. Convoluted? Sure, but it's still pretty impressive. If you're feeling bold, check out the adjacent source links to get started; the community has created tutorials for Android, Linux, OSX and Windows, complete with a spreadsheet of viable MAC addresses.
PSA: New 3DS firmware out today, adds StreetPass 'relay' functionality
The latest firmware update for the 3DS is available, bringing new StreetPass functionality along with it. 3DS owners with firmware version 6.2.0-xU or higher will now be able to access StreetPass data from other users that previously passed by Nintendo Zone locations. Nintendo Zone locales now temporarily store one user's StreetPass data for games like Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate for a future passer-by to collect, then automatically stash the following person's game data. Nintendo points out that Relay Points will be especially helpful for Mii Plaza games, which have done well for the company.
Nintendo 3DS update brings you more Mii Plaza pals with StreetPass Relay
Though StreetPass has proven to be extremely popular, you're much less likely to directly cross a fellow Nintendo 3DS user stateside than in the console's home country of Japan. But thanks to a new update, you'll now be able to pick up Mii avatar buddies via StreetPass Relay. When a 3DS user crosses a Nintendo Zone hotspot, their data is automatically stored and passed on to another 3DS owner who hits the same relay point. You'll find them in North America at Best Buy, Simon malls, Future Shop and AT&T WiFi hotpots located in Starbucks, McDonald's and Barnes & Noble. That'll help you scoop up friends to play new Mii Plaza games Mii Force, Flower Town, Warrior's Way and Monster Manor. They sold to the tune of $4 million in their first month, meaning you should have more potential players than ever hanging around your gate.
Nintendo gobbles up $4 million in a month with new 3DS StreetPass games (video)
Apparently a lot of people have followed the white rabbit hawking Nintendo's new 3DS StreetPass games, because the four new titles have moved like gangbusters. Nintendo sold $4 million worth of Mii Force, Flower Town, Warrior's Way and Monster Manor in a month (at $5 each or $15 for all four) to players champing at the bit for more games using the interactive feature. To the uninitiated, you can pick up StreetPasses just by crossing paths with another 3DS player or even someone who's recently been in the same place through proxy passes. That lets you play games with their Miis (avatars), but until recently there were only a couple of preloaded titles that use the functionality. There must have been some pent-up demand, though, considering the sales numbers -- after all, the 3DS has been Nintendo's bread and butter lately. As a reminder about how it all works, check the video after the break.
Nintendo 3DS StreetPass roundup: A Ghostly Warrior's Flower Force
This is Portabliss, a column about downloadable games that can be played on the go. Nintendo served up a collection of new StreetPass games for the Nintendo 3DS earlier this month, offering players new opportunities to exploit their 3DS-owning friends to earn new Mii hats and outfits. Like the existing StreetPass games, they're lightweight diversions that you'll either ignore after a few plays or delve into obsessively. You can count me among the obsessed. I've unlocked every Mii hat available through Find Mii, and I've completed Find Mii II's secret quest multiple times -- the Famicom hat I earned afterward was totally worth it. Despite their simplicity, Nintendo's StreetPass games have a undeniable charm that can keep you hooked for months. Unlike the StreetPass games that are bundled with the system, however, these new games aren't free. After putting a few dozen unsuspecting Mii Plaza visitors through the new StreetPass offerings over the last several days, I found that some games were more enjoyable and worthwhile than others. [Mii Force, Flower Town, Warrior's Way, and Monster Manor are priced at $4.99 each. All four can be purchased as a bundle for $14.99.]
StreetPass by proxy: Nintendo Zone locations to act as 3DS data relays
Own a Nintendo 3DS? You're probably all too familiar with the frustrations of the device's StreetPass feature -- in the United States, crossing paths with another 3DS in the wild just isn't all that likely. It's one of the disadvantages of living in a less densley populated country, but Nintendo is delivering a hotfix: sometime in the next few weeks Nintendo Zone locations at Best Buy, Starbucks, various AT&T hotspots, malls and other locations will begin saving and relaying 3DS StreetPass data, allowing gamers to interact by proxy. Once a system nabs one of these timeshifted StreetPasses, its own data will be uploaded to the Nintendo Zone hotspot to be shared with the next user, creating a chain of delayed passive interaction. Convoluted? A little, but how else are you going to complete your Puzzle Swap collection?
Here's the deal with those new 3DS StreetPass games
If you need a new way to get practical use out of the existence of strangers you inevitably pass every day, here's a trailer detailing how to do so using Nintendo's four new StreetPass games: Mii Force, Flower Town, Monster Manor and Warrior's Way.
New 3DS StreetPass games say hello to North America
North Americans can now welcome the quartet of new 3DS StreetPass games, which came to Europe and Japan last month, albeit with different monikers. The system update out now adds shoot-em-up Mii Force, gardening sim Flower Town, spooky puzzler Monster Manor, and strategy game Warrior's Way to a new shop in the Mii Plaza, where they're priced $5 each, or $15 in a four-in-one bundle. As per the Euro and Japanese versions, the new StreetPass games let players earn tickets that can be exchanged for Mii hats and outfits, including a full Luigi costume for those who find it easy being green. Four new panels for Puzzle Swap will also be released at the same time as the update. Each Nintendo 3DS user will receive one random new panel and will have to interact with other Nintendo 3DS owners via StreetPass to receive the other three. The four StreetPass additions are already off to a "good start," according to Nintendo president Satoru Iwata, who revealed 200,000 users bought at least one of them during their first week of sales.
3DS update brings new Streetpass games, soft-selling rabbit
Ever dance with a rabbit who shilled new StreetPass diversions in the bright sunlight? No? Well, the latest 3DS update will fix that. Within the system's StreetPass Plaza dwells a white lagomorph with a penchant for salesmanship. After the anthropomorphic bunny describes each title and shows it off in the cutest and most Nintendo way possible, you can buy the quartet of new releases -- Mii Force, Flower Town, Warrior's Way and Monster Manor -- individually or as a discounted bundle. Each is $5 a pop, or with the package deal you can get all four for $15. The patch also brings another Puzzle Swap picture, Mii accessories purchasable with tickets earned from playing the new StreetPass games and new unlockable Mii hats. Nintendo says you can change your Mii's facial expression when StreetPassing with another user, too. Sure, Japanese and European owners got this a few weeks ago, but that shouldn't spoil the fun if you're in the US.
Nintendo 3DS update adds save backups, new StreetPass game store
If the madness of E3 (and the promise of some big titles) has recently pulled you back to Nintendo's handheld, you might be greeted with a firmware update next time you open up that well-worn 3DS. Aside from improved stability and bug fixes, there's new save data backup feature which will hold on to save files for your downloaded 3DS titles as well as Virtual Console games. Appearing already in Europe, version 6.0.0-11 also bundles in a new shop for the Mii Plaza, with StreetPass Squad, StreetPass Garden, StreetPass Battle, StreetPass Mansion all priced at 5 euros, or 15 euros for the whole set. No word on yet on when the update will arrive on the other side of the Atlantic, but given past form, we'd expect it to arrive some time this month.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate will use StreetPass
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate, the 3DS title in development by Mercury Steam, will incorporate Nintendo's StreetPass feature, allowing players to swap game data simply by walking past one another. Mercury Steam and Konami confirmed its integration today at E3.Mercury Steam developed a brand new engine for its 3DS installment and now has 100 people working on Mirror of Fate and its companion console title, Lords of Shadow 2. Both games operate in the same Lords of Shadow universe, at the same time, but Lords of Shadow 2 will conclude Dracula's storyline while Mirror of Fate tells the Belmonts' tale.Mercury Steam will be finished with the Castlevania franchise after these titles launch.
PSA: 3DS firmware update goes live, upgrades camera
Nintendo's 3DS update had been dragging its feet, but it's got its act together, sneaking out to devices a day earlier than expected. It will add both 3D video-recording and DLC capabilities to the handheld, although there's been no confirmation yet of the Hulu Plus feature promised back in October. According to Joystiq, there's now a new Nintendo Zone to interact with when connected to certain WiFi hotspots and a host of new "accomplishments" to unlock on StreetPass. Users are reporting that the update is rolling out now -- it may be worth booting up that guilty Black Friday purchase for a look-see.
