The Nintendo 3DS has been out for a few months now, and if you're anything like us, you won't have been able to get enough of your brand new handheld. Luckily for us, the folks at Nintendo seem to have sensed our insatiable craving for more, as they'll be releasing a brand new system update for their fastest-selling console to date on the 7th June, which will bring with it an eShop, giving people the ability to download new games and software, a fully functional internet browser (sadly without Flash support), and a couple of free games. It'll also fully enable the SpotPass feature, allowing Nintendo to send 3D film trailers, music videos and comedy clips to your 3DS to download automatically - even Shaun the Sheep is getting a look in.
In order to receive the update, you'll need to have set up your 3DS' internet, and be sure your 3DS can "talk" to your wireless router - if you haven't yet done that, help is at hand, as our handy 'How to set up the 3DS' Internet' article will give you a nudge in the right direction. Then, all that's left to do is to head over to the System Settings button on your 3DS' Home Menu, and choose "System Update". Then sit back, relax, and watch your console do all the hard work. Once you perform the update, you'll have access to an internet browser, Nintendo's eShop for buying downloadable games, and - providing you perform the update before 7th July - a free copy of the NES game Excitebike, remastered in 3D.
Allow me. VROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMWHOOOOOSH!
Of course, a shop would be no fun without games to buy, and that's why the shop is launching with three classic Game Boy games in the form of Super Mario Land, Alleyway and Tennis on it's Virtual Console section. Super Mario Land is a classic Mario platformer, and interestingly represents the first (and only) time Princess Daisy gets kidnapped, rather than Princess Peach (it must be that annoying accent that does it); Alleyway is a clone of the popular Breakout game, where you move a bat at the bottom of the screen to bounce a ball into a wall of bricks to destroy them; and Tennis does exactly what it says on the tin. More games are set to be added in the future - so fingers crossed for a Pokemon remake in the next few weeks.
For those who're looking for more modern fare, though, you'll be well catered to here as well. Once you've downloaded the update, 3DS users will be able to download stuff from the massive back catalogue of DSiWare games through the eShop (something I'm quite looking forward to, seeing as I missed out on DSiWare the first time round as I still had an original 'fat' DS). If, unlike me, you were lucky enough to own a DSi, you'll also be able to transfer across the vast majority of games you've bought - there's a pretty tiny list of games you can't move across, which we'll get up soon. In the near future (we expect in the next few weeks, seeing as the service has already launched in Japan) the eShop will also become home to 3DSWare - brand new downloadable 3DS games along the same lines as the DSiWare games of today. If only Hudson hadn't died, I could buy yet another Tetris Party game...
And for those of you who've got to the end of StreetPass Quest, Nintendo are set to re-ignite the StreetPassing craze, with a brand new 'replacement' in the form of Pokedex 3D, an entirely free application that lets you collect, and exchange Pokedex entries with people you walk past, in an attempt fill its pages. Each Pokemon you collect also comes with a fully 3D (and animated) version of itself that'll adorn your top screen, while the bottom lets you browse a list of moves it learns - which is incredibly useful..
He might look cute and cuddly, but Tepig will Flame Charge you while you Sleep.
Even the internet browser's packed with nifty features - for a start, you can use it mid-game for looking up what to do next on Zelda, or send a quick email. But even more interestingly - providing you're on a capable website - you'll also be able to view 3D pictures on the top screen; download 3D pictures from the internet; and upload your amazing creations from the 3DS camera. Watch this space for a picture of me with an AR beard, and a cat with a rainbow moustache.
So with the addition of the eShop, where you'll be able to buy all the DSiWare games I missed out on, and 3DSWare games in the near future, new games added every Thursday, and two free games - one of which is a Pokemon game - there are plenty of reasons to download the update next Tuesday. Almost too many. Make sure you download it before the 7th of July, though - or else you won't get Excitebike 3D for free!
