eShop
Latest
3DS NES games will include multiplayer following an update
Those freebie NES games you get from the 3DS "Ambassador Program" on September 1 will be bare-bones at first, but a future update will bring some extras. Nintendo told IGN that after the paid versions of those ten games show up on the eShop "later in the year," the free versions will be updated at no cost. The upgrades will include "additional features such as multiplayer simultaneous play," which is kind of a big claim, since not even the Game Boy Virtual Console games sold now have multiplayer functionality. Nintendo didn't detail any other changes, except to say that 3D isn't one of them. The games won't be remade as 3D Classics. The list of NES games announced includes Super Mario Bros., Donkey Kong Jr., Balloon Fight, Ice Climber, and The Legend of Zelda. These and five more unknown games will be included in the Ambassador Program. Ten Game Boy Advance games will follow later in 2011.
Nintendo Video app for the American 3DS appears with four videos in tow
After some will they / won't they drama, Nintendo snuck out its new Video app for the 3DS, giving owners of the handheld a little something to enjoy in 3D between gaming sessions. That said, we hope your Netflix queue is full because there are apparently only four selections available at any given time. At launch, those slots are filled with an intro video, two short films (Sunday Jog and Dinosaur Office) and a Captain America movie trailer. Users should expect a continuously updated carousel of content going forward, but for now if you're not near your glasses-free 3D machine (or don't own one at all) check out these shots provided by one of our tipsters. Otherwise check for the app in the eShop; though with only a four-pack to start, we'd suggest pacing yourself instead of diving in all at once. Check out the PR after the break. [Thanks, Xavier] %Gallery-128920%
NintendoWare Weekly: 3D Classics Xevious, Antipole [update]
The Nintendo Video service will be available from the 3DS eShop this week. We're looking forward to seeing what kind of short videos Nintendo has chosen for our entertainment. Well, "looking forward" might be a bit strong. We're curious. Maybe we're also dreading it, a little. Meanwhile, there's a new 3D Classics remake to play on 3DS: Xevious, which is based on a game a damn sight better than Urban Champion. DSiWare also adds the gravity-flipping platformer, Antipole. Update: Actually, it wasn't Nintendo Video at all, but a new entry on the eShop's front page to tell us that Nintendo Video was "coming soon." We're still confused.
Nintendo confirms Netflix on the 3DS hitting today
Last night's Netflix / 3DS news was more than just empty promises -- and now we have the official press release to prove it. Starting today, Netflix subscribers with unlimited streaming plans will be able to watch TV shows and movies from the service's selection of online content on their Nintendo 3DS, like the Wii before it. Movies will show up in 2D (darn) on the upper screen of the device, with 3D content coming soon to the glasses-free portable. The Netflix app will be hitting the Nintendo eShop today as a free download. The app doesn't appear to be in the store as of yet, but we'll let you know when it pops up. In the meantime, feel free to check out the press release below -- no glasses required.
Netflix streaming comes to the Nintendo 3DS tomorrow
Ever since Nintendo's GDC announcement in March we've been waiting for Netflix streaming on the 3DS, and it appears tomorrow's eShop update will do the trick. This may be too late for those that followed through on threats to cancel after the new rates were announced yesterday, but all other 3DS owners can get their Parks & Rec (in 3D?) anywhere in range of a WiFi signal. Joystiq also points out there's also two Game Boy games coming in tomorrow's update, Game & Watch Gallery and Baseball, just in case you're interested in using your portable game machine to actually play games.
Nintendo 3DS gets free Netflix update in tomorrow's eShop update
Since Nintendo's 3DS launched back in March, we've been hanging on by a thread, counting the minutes until this week's eShop update. And no, it's not just because Extreme Hangman 2 is finally dropping on DSiWare: Netflix's streaming video application will be available on 3DS as well. Finally a chance to bring Agent Cooper on the go and make those smug short-form video users in Europe and Japan quit their braggin'! Nintendo revealed as much with an early announcement of its weekly eShop, DSi, and Wii Shop updates, also detailing several games that will be available for purchase across the Wii, DSi, and 3DS. We're particularly fond of the Virtual Console Game & Watch Gallery coming to 3DS, but fans of super old-school sports games may be more excited to hear about Baseball being this week's other retro re-release.
NintendoWare Weekly: Just Jam, Qix, Fortified Zone
The 3DS Virtual Console is slowly acquiring new Game Boy games, with two (essentially) third-party games added to the eShop this week. Qix is a Nintendo-published handheld version of Taito's weird arcade classic, which has players drawing rectangular lines to fill space while avoiding abstract enemies. And Jaleco's Fortified Zone is a top-down action game, sort of like the NES Metal Gears (without all the cowering). WiiWare's single release is Just Jam, a game about making music by arranging samples with a simple-looking interface.
Nintendo of Europe release list reveals 3D Xevious this month, MotoHeroz in Q3
Nintendo of Europe sent out its schedule for the summer and fall on 3DS, Wii, and DS, and most of the news to be found is related to downloadable games. For example: the 3DS's "3D Classics" version of Xevious is due to arrive on the eShop this month, as is a 3DS Virtual Console release of Mario's Picross. There's a DSiWare version of Jagged Alliance due in Q3, and RedLynx's WiiWare stunt racer, MotoHeroz, is given a Q3 release window here. Nintendo also predicts a September release for X-Men Destiny on Wii and DS, which would suggest that the other versions are due for release at that same time. Peruse the list for yourself after the break.
NintendoWare Weekly: Kirby's Dreamland, Final Fantasy III
One game each on two Virtual Consoles feels like a windfall, especially when both games are worth the time it takes to play them. The Wii's Virtual Console brings us Final Fantasy III, the SNES role-playing game that introduced us to Terra, Shadow, Kefka, and other beloved characters, while the 3DS Virtual Console brings Kirby's Dream Land, which introduced us to ... Kirby. Head past the break to see all of this week's releases, including a WiiWare game published by peripheral company PDP. Weird.
3DS eShop inhales Kirby's Dream Land in Europe
There's good news for fans of Nintendo's fluffy, pink wonder: Kirby's original adventure, Kirby's Dream Land, is headed to the European 3DS eShop. The game will be available for 400 points (€4). North American Kirby lovers have reason to be excited too, as the ESRB has dropped a 3DS rating for the game. Hopefully, the adorable little guy will land on the North American eShop this week as well.
NintendoWare Weekly: Stratego, Pro Jumper!
We're still getting used to seeing new Nintendo downloadable games on Thursdays. It feels weird. While we spend the day dealing with that cognitive dissonance, you'll be able to visit the Wii, DSi, or 3DS shop and buy some new stuff, including a DSiWare version of the Stratego board game, a 3DS Virtual Console release of the Game Boy Tennis game, and ... Pro Jumper! Guilty Gear Tangent!? That's the one about the hidden Guilty Gear character spinning on a bar of soap and defending himself with towel snaps on the way to soothing hot springs. Nope, we don't know how this is real either.
Japanese 3DS to get 3D TV service, North America waits with bated breath
3DS owners outside of Japan can look forward to missing out on yet another Nintendo sponsored video service -- at least for now. With the help of Fuji TV, Nintendo's Itsu no Ma ni Terebi (or "SpotPass TV") will bring a number of short format 3D TV programs to the fledgling handheld, including shows featuring cute animals, sumo wrestling idol girls, and daily tips on performing magic tricks. Like its Wii predecessor, this video service is currently a Japan-only affair, but there's still plenty of summer left for the big-N to make good on its GDC Netflix promise.
Fils-Aime: Consumers' two biggest problems with the 3DS have been fixed
In an interview with Kotaku during E3, Nintendo of America president Reggie Fils-Aime discussed how the company is addressing consumers' concerns about its stereoscopic handheld gaming system, the 3DS. Citing "consumer information," Fils-Aime said shoppers' biggest hang-up was that the 3DS' launch line-up lacked a "big Nintendo franchise," an issue he hopes will be fixed by the handheld's first-party-heavy future line-up. ""I think we've got that issue not only identified but addressed," Fils-Aime added. The second issue Fils-Aime pointed out was the 3DS' lack of an online network at launch, an issue he says was corrected with the launch of the eShop during E3 -- as well as the upcoming rollout of features like Netflix and 3D movies. That last bit sounds promising, though we ask that Fils-Aime first looks into a logical third problem: Making it so the 3DS battery will last through a full movie. Sure, it can probably tackle most 90-minute features; but what of our extended Lord of the Rings Director's Cuts? What of that, sir?
NintendoWare Weekly: The eShop is open for business
Good news, folks! Nintendo's 3DS eShop is now officially open for business, and the second week of operation brings the Game Boy version of Donkey Kong to hang out with the bikers and heroes already residing in the eShop. A handful of DSiWare and WiiWare offerings are also said to be available, though as of this morning, none of the DSiWare games were actually available for purchase. Additionally, for you stalwarts still holding out for a demo of Bit.Trip Flux before dropping the $8, that's now available as well. The reward for your patience: finding out first hand that it's a great game.
Free DSiWare Four Swords is the GBA version
Last week during E3, Nintendo generously announced a free release of The Legend of Zelda: Four Swords for DSiWare, playable on both DSi/XL and 3DS. The company didn't clarify, however, whether the game would be the original Four Swords multiplayer game that was packed in with A Link to the Past on GameBoy Advance, the GameCube Four Swords Adventures, or some combination of both. Nintendo confirmed to Joystiq today that the game will in fact be the GBA multiplayer game that was included with LTTP. Clarifying further, we were told "This is separate from the GameCube version," though it's still unclear what updates, if any, will be made to the DSiWare version of Four Swords -- we'd be shocked not to see some redone graphics, and how about some online multiplayer for good measure? It remains to be seen. The free download will be here in September, according to Nintendo's E3 presentation.
Nintendo finally sells millionth 3DS unit in Japan, lives in the shadow of older brother
A million in (Japanese) sales is a far cry from failure, but even big daddy Satoru Iwata admits the 3DS isn't quite living up to expectations. Nintendo's tenderfoot handheld finally hit the mark after 13 weeks, a snail's pace when compared to the original dual-screen wunderkind, which reportedly made the grade in a mere four. The 3DS' predecessors will undoubtedly forgive it for being a late bloomer, it's the competition it ought to worry about; the PSP sold its first million in about seven weeks. The 3DS could still plow its way to the top -- but with the PlayStation Vita looming large on the horizon, and the fledgling handheld having already lost a round the PSV's predecessor, Nintendo could be in for a rough ride.
3DS release schedule outs new eShop games, upcoming dates
We were just casually browsing Nintendo's E3 press site, like you do, when we happened upon upcoming schedules for 3DS, DS, and Wii. And there's a bunch of stuff on here that we, and probably you, hadn't heard about yet! Like, in case you missed it, the September 11 release date for Star Fox 64 3D., and an August 23 date for Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked. According to this schedule, Ubisoft's got James Noir on the way August 30, Imagine Babyz 3D (imagine babies! In 3D!) October 25, a 3DS version of Michael Jackson: The Experience and a 3DS NCIS game the same day, and ... a 3DS version of Rayman: Origins on March 13, 2012!? The eShop section of the schedule names some upcoming Game Gear Virtual Console titles from Sega, all scheduled for "Summer." The games include Columns, Dragon Crystal, Shinobi, Sonic Drift 2, and Sonic Triple Trouble. Check the list out after the break. Keep in mind that some of these listings will undoubtedly change in the future, or might be inaccurate now, as they were reported by Nintendo and not these games' actual publishers.
The Rolling Western rolls up genres in an armadillo shell
We're going to do our best to describe what happens in this debut trailer for The Rolling Western, an action/strategy title for the Nintendo 3DS eShop. Let's see -- you play as an armadillo wearing a cowboy hat, who can spin around to attack enemies, explore a 3D world (picking up something called Manju Grass), and even build up towers to defend against giant ... rocks, maybe?
Picture Lives is E3's weirdest game
Sure I played some good games at E3 -- whatever. Good games come out all the time. What I want from the show is to be surprised, preferably by something that doesn't make any damn sense and is hilarious. Nintendo filled that hole in my heart with the single unreleased 3DS eShop game it was showing: Picture Lives. Okay, so here's the concept of Picture Lives. You build a creature using shape tools -- resizable circles, rectangles, etc. Then you attach legs, mouth(s), eyes, basically anywhere. I decided that I would try to place the legs and eyes several away from the body. The game totally let me! So I was walking around as a green dome with a few misshapen legs and eyes floating nearby. I named it "frrrrrr." And he speaks like a squeaky-voiced robot, according to the settings I gave it. I saw other customization options for extra parts and moving things around, but I was eager to get this hot rod on the road. The "road" is a hilly green landscape that you navigate by dragging the stylus in the direction you want your godforsaken shape monster to lope in. To jump, you pull down on an icon on the touchscreen (the action is on the top screen) and let go to sling your adorable hellspawn into the air. Using these controls, you ... well, I only played it for a few minutes, but you pick up presents from a lion and deliver them to a bird. So, just in that first bit, it appears to be like Animal Crossing, but side-scrolling, and with your own hideous freak in the place of a little horned boy. So, uh, yeah! I don't know if it's going to be a good game, but I know I'm going to keep talking about it whenever people ask me what I saw at E3, because it's freaky. Check out the trailer after the break.%Gallery-125697%
Here's how the 3DS does Game Boy emulation
We didn't know quite what to expect from the Game Boy Virtual Console games now available through the 3DS eShop, but it turns out the presentation is pretty charming. See for yourself after the break.
