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Nintendo eShop

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Nintendo eShop
The official Nintendo eShop logo
DeveloperNintendo
TypeOnline market
Launch date
  • NA: June 6, 2011
  • EU: June 7, 2011
  • JP: June 7, 2011
Platform(s)Nintendo Network
WebsiteOfficial website

The Nintendo eShop is an online service powered by Nintendo Network for the Nintendo 3DS handheld gaming system. Launched on June 6, 2011 in North America and June 7, 2011 in Europe and Japan, the eShop was enabled by the release of a system update that added the functionality to the 3DS' Home Menu.[1] The Nintendo eShop features downloadable games, applications and information on upcoming film and game releases.

Features

The Nintendo eShop icon appears as part of the Home Menu on the 3DS and requires a wireless internet connection to access. Unlike the Wii Shop Channel and the DSi Shop services, which use Nintendo Points for purchases, the Nintendo eShop lists pricing in the appropriate regional currencies, such as dollars and euros.[2] Accounts can be funded using either credit cards or prepaid cards purchased in stores.[3]

The eShop stores a record of all downloads and purchases, allowing users to re-download previously purchased software at no additional charge, provided the software is still available on the eShop. Downloads can be started immediately, or they can be queued up and be pushed to the console while it is not in use or when the eShop application is not running.[4] Users upgrading from a Nintendo DSi system can transfer their previous DSiWare purchases to the Nintendo 3DS, with limited exceptions such as Flipnote Studio and the DSi web browser.[5] A December 2011 update enabled a similar feature allowing users to transfer their purchases between 3DS systems.[6]

Downloadable games

Main articles: List of DSiWare games and applications and List of 3DS Download Software

The following types of games are available to download from the Nintendo eShop.

DSiWare

With a few exceptions, the majority of existing DSiWare software is available for download on the 3DS. Similar to using Nintendo DS software, DSiWare can be optionally viewed in its original resolution and Home functionality is disabled whilst DSiWare software is being played.

Download Software

An extension of the DSiWare series of downloadable software, these titles have been specifically created to utilize the capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS.

Add-on Software

Add-on includes downloadable content, addition of new features, and patches. Add-on software can be added to both digital and physical games.

Virtual Console

Main article: Virtual Console

Similar to the Wii's Virtual Console service, the 3DS' Virtual Console currently includes games from the Nintendo Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Game Gear systems. Planned future releases will include software from the TurboGrafx-16 systems. Special features in this interpretation of the Virtual Console allow players to create Restore Points, temporarily saving the game state for use later, and the optional ability to view games in their original resolution accompanied with special borders.

3D Classics

3D Classics are a series of older video games remade with added 3D functionality and updated features. The first of these titles, 3D Classics: Excitebike, was temporarily made available for free at the eShop's launch.[7]

3D Demos

A December 2011 system update upgraded the service to feature downloadable demos of retail games and eShop games.[4] Developers would have the option to limit access to demos, such as limiting the number of plays available to the user.[4] The first paid demo was released in Japan on August 4, 2011 [8] free demos were released in Japan on December 27, 2011[9] and in North America on January 19, 2012.

Video services

The eShop offers a wide range of video services for the Nintendo 3DS. Many of these videos are offered in 3D, with some downloaded to the system's memory and others streamed over the user's wireless internet connection. The exact content available varies by region, but includes game trailers, music videos and news features.

Nintendo Video

Added in July 2011, Nintendo Video provides a range of 3D video content, including live-action and animated short features, movie trailers and music videos. The videos are downloaded to the 3DS via SpotPass and are available to be viewed offline until they are replaced by newer content that is pushed to the system by Nintendo every Thursday.[10]

Eurosport

In Europe, user can view 3D videos from Eurosport free of charge.[11] These videos are downloaded to the 3DS via SpotPass and are available to be viewed off-line until they are replaced by newer content, much like Nintendo Video.

Netflix

In North America, Netflix subscribers can access their instant queues to view 2D movies on their Nintendo 3DS. In the future, a selection of full-length 3D films will be made available.[12]

Plans

Hulu Plus will join the system's available video content offerings in the near future, allowing its subscribers to watch episodes of TV shows and movies on their 3DS consoles.[13] Nintendo has also announced that retail 3DS games will also be available to download on the eShop starting with the launch of New Super Mario Bros. 2.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-05-12-nintendo-3ds-e-shop-and-browser-delayed
  2. ^ Giancarlo Varanini (2011-06-02). "The 3DS eShop: What You Need to Know". GameSpot.com. CNet. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  3. ^ "Nintendo 3DS - How To - Applications & Features". support.nintendo.com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  4. ^ a b c Evan Narcisse (2011-10-28). "Nintendo Adding Playable Demos, eShop Web Interface and Sleep Mode Downloads to 3DS". Kotaku.com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  5. ^ "Nintendo 3DS - General Information". Nintendo. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  6. ^ http://www.ripten.com/2011/10/21/3ds-november-firmware-update-details/
  7. ^ http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/25754/excitebike-will-be-a-free-3ds-download/
  8. ^ http://www.nintendo.co.jp/3ds/eshop/jhmj/index.html
  9. ^ http://kotaku.com/5871343/the-five-3ds-game-demos-arent-unlimited-some-are-nice-though
  10. ^ http://wwwsrc.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/7J_m6IyP0PXrTlAhd8oyG2n8P7KO1tN1
  11. ^ Eurosport available on Nintendo 3DS - http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2011/nintendo_partners_with_eurosport_to_release_3d_video_content_47136.html
  12. ^ Brian Crecente (2011-07-14). "Netflix Hits the 3DS Today, 3D Movies On the Way". Kotaku.com. Retrieved 2011-09-23.
  13. ^ Christopher Grant (2011-10-21). "Hulu Plus coming to 3DS and Wii 'soon'". Joystiq.com. Retrieved 2011-11-07.
  14. ^ http://kotaku.com/5905603/new-super-mario-bros-2-will-be-nintendos-first-proper-downloadable-game
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