Nintendo eShop

Nintendo eShop

Developer	Nintendo
Type	Online market
Launch date	NA 20110606June 6, 2011 EU 20110607June 7, 2011 JP 20110607June 7, 2011
Platform	Nintendo 3DS
Website	Official website

The Nintendo eShop is an online service 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. Users upgrading from a Nintendo DSi system can transfer their previous DSiWare purchases to the Nintendo 3DS, with limited exceptions.^[4]

Downloadable games

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

The eShop offers access to the majority of the existing DSiWare software catalog, along with original games that have been built to take advantage of the Nintendo 3DS's capabilities.

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 and Game Boy Color systems. Planned future releases will include software from the TurboGrafx-16 and Sega Game Gear systems, as well as the Nintendo Entertainment System and Nintendo Game Boy Advance. 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 made available for free when the eShop launched.^[5]

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 off-line until they are replaced by newer content that is pushed to the system by Nintendo from time to time.^[6]

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.^[7]

Future plans

In October 2011, Nintendo announced numerous new features that were planned to be added to the Nintendo eShop in the near future.^[8] One of the biggest proposals was the availability of software demos for upcoming retail and downloadable games; developers would have the option to limit access to demos, such as limiting the number of plays available to the user.^[8] Another planned improvement enables downloadable content, allowing games to be expanded with additional levels and other new features.^[8] Future downloads can be pushed to the console while it is not in use or when the eShop application is not running.^[8] 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.^[9] Swapnote, a messaging service for the Nintendo 3DS, will be released through the eShop in December 2011.^[10]

In November 2011, Nintendo will enable a software transfer feature similar to the DSi-to-3DS version currently available that will allow users to transfer their purchases to a new Nintendo 3DS console from their original units.^[11] Also, users will be able to access and make purchases from the Nintendo eShop via personal computer or many other internet-connected devices. Initially, users will use their 3DS' camera function to capture a QR code that will take them to the desired content on their handheld, with future plans to eliminate the QR code step and purchase the content directly.

See also

• List of Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS (Japan)
• List of Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS (North America)
• List of Virtual Console games for Nintendo 3DS (PAL region)
• List of DSiWare games

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. http://www.gamespot.com/features/6316665/the-3ds-eshop-what-you-need-to-know/?tag=updates%3Beditor%3Ball%3Btitle%3B4. Retrieved 2011-11-07. 
3. ^ "Nintenod 3DS - How To - Applications & Features". support.nintendo.com. http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/3ds/en_na/ht_apps.jsp. Retrieved 2011-11-07. 
4. ^ "Nintendo 3DS - General Information". Nintendo. http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/systems/3ds/en_na/gi_index.jsp?menu=applications%20and%20features&submenu=ctr-gi-apps-dsiware-wont-transfer. Retrieved 2011-08-06. 
5. ^ http://www.officialnintendomagazine.co.uk/25754/excitebike-will-be-a-free-3ds-download/
6. ^ http://wwwsrc.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/7J_m6IyP0PXrTlAhd8oyG2n8P7KO1tN1
7. ^ Brian Crecente (2011-07-14). "Netflix Hits the 3DS Today, 3D Movies On the Way". Kotaku.com. http://kotaku.com/5821151/netflix-hits-the-3ds-in-north-america-today-will-include-some-3d-movies. Retrieved 2011-09-23. 
8. ^ ^{a b c d} Evan Narcisse (2011-10-28). "Nintendo Adding Playable Demos, eShop Web Interface and Sleep Mode Downloads to 3DS". Kotaku.com. http://kotaku.com/5854187/nintendo-adding-playable-demos-eshop-web-interface-and-sleep-mode-downloads-to-3ds. Retrieved 2011-11-07. 
9. ^ Christopher Grant (2011-10-21). "Hulu Plus coming to 3DS and Wii 'soon'". Joystiq.com. http://www.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/hulu-plus-coming-to-3ds-and-wii-soon/. Retrieved 2011-11-07. 
10. ^ Jack Fabris (2011-10-23). "Swapnote bringing messaging to the 3DS". thetanooki.com. http://www.thetanooki.com/2011/10/23/swapnote-bringing-messaging-to-the-3ds/. Retrieved 2011-11-07. 
11. ^ http://www.ripten.com/2011/10/21/3ds-november-firmware-update-details/