“I’m wondering when the 3DS eShop will be released and when I can download Virtual Console Game Boy games” I hear you ask. Now that you got that shiny new Nintendo handheld, you rightfully want to know when you can download all-new games and retro classics for the thing!
The answer: In two months, around late May! That’s the word from Nintendo themselves, as announced back in January at a financial meeting. If there is a change, we’ll let you know about it.
The eShop will be delivered to the 3DS in a firmware update that will also include the 3DS Internet Browser. Once the eShop is online, you will be able to download new, original 3DS games under the traditional “3DSWare” banner (which DSi fans will be familiar with) or retro titles from the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Sega Game Gear or TurboGrafx-16 systems under the “3DS Virtual Console” banner.
Within this section of the shop, you will be able to download remastered Game Boy and Game Boy Color games with enhanced stereoscopic 3D graphics under the Virtual Console banner with the “3D Classics” line. Offering a special treat for fans who will be able to experience their favorite classic games from an all-new perspective!
Even more important to some gamers will be the introduction of the DSiWare transfer tool, which will allow you to transfer DSiWare games that you have downloaded onto your DSi or DSi XL systems, onto your 3DS. Exactly how this will be done has not yet been revealed. “Will there be any limits to what games I can transfer or how many DSiWare games can be transferred?”
According to Charlie Scibetta, Nintendo’s senior director of corporate communications, you will only be limited in how many times you can move the same already purchased game from system to system (that is, from the DSi or DSi XL to the 3DS specifically), you will not be limited in HOW MANY DSiWare games you transfer to your spiffy new 3DS.
And to drive home the point that Nintendo “gets it”, Scibetta added, “So if you built up a large category of DSiWare games, you won’t be penalized. Just how many times you can move that same group of games, there’ll be a limit on.” Not penalizing people for buying your new system is definitely a good thing! Nintendo previously blunted sales of the DSi XL, in part, because of the fact that they offered no solution for you to transfer DSiWare games from a normal DSi to the bigger DSi XL. So it’s good to know that this won’t be an issue going forward.
Fans of the current crop of DSiWare will also be happy to know that “virtually all” of the current DSiWare will debut on the eShop when it launches in late May.
If you have any other questions let us know by leaving a comment and we’ll do our best to answer.
Via GoNintendo, 3DSConnect, and Joystiq