Topic: Can you download full 3DS games digitally?

[Chad Sexington]

I thought you couldn't, but then I read this press release about the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon / XL offer:

Nintendo is offering a special bonus for people who buy both a Nintendo 3DS XL system and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity. Anyone who registers a Nintendo 3DS XL system and either Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity or Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon with Club Nintendo between March 21 and April 30 will receive a code to download one of five Nintendo 3DS games for free: Super Mario 3D Land, Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask, Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone!, Star Fox 64 3D or Freakyforms Deluxe: Your Creations, Alive!

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[/size]Can you only download some games?  All games?  Or this is just a special thing?[/color]

[TJ Spyke]

Um, retail games have been available on the eShop since last August when New Super Mario Bros. 2 was available both on cartridge and digitally. Since then, all of Nintendo's first party 3DS games are on the eShop as are many third party games. Over 50 retail games can also be bought on the eShop. You can if a game is also on the eShop here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_3DS_games

[Chad Sexington]

Um, retail games have been available on the eShop since last August when New Super Mario Bros. 2 was available both on cartridge and digitally. Since then, all of Nintendo's first party 3DS games are on the eShop as are many third party games. Over 50 retail games can also be bought on the eShop. You can if a game is also on the eShop here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Nintendo_3DS_games

Perfect.

I cancelled all my Amazon orders before they shipped.

[Caterkiller]

I have New Mario 2, Fire Emblem, and Luigi's Mansion all downloaded. Very convenient.

[Kytim89]

The only thing that turns me away from going exclusively digital is the fact that the pricing for digital games remains at full price while its retail counterparts always depreciate in value over time. If third parties lowered the price over time, or offered deals, or allowed digital retailers like Amazon to sell download codes at the same price as physical copies then I would be all for it.

[Oblivion]

So... you want the Steam model?

[Kytim89]

So... you want the Steam model?

Yes, I ultimately hope that Nintendo makes the eShop and Virtual Console service into something that resembles the Steam model. From what I hear the eShop is already close to being like Steam, but it needs more support. Overall, it would be nice if every third part game released since 2006 was made available for the eShop and then Virtual Console could have a similar service. Add in a unified system account between the Wii U and 3DS similar to iTunes and Apple devices, and Paypal support on iTunes and there is absolutely no way that I would purchase retail games again.

[Chad Sexington]

So spent about $320 on a Pikachu 3DS, Mario 3D Land, Luigi's Mansion (free promotion), Professor Layton, and Etrian Odyssey IV.  And so far I'm very happy with my purchase.  I think it's a really nice piece of hardware.

New Question: If you could only have one non-downloadable title for your 3DS, what game would it be?

Even though I'm a digital download guy only, it feels a little bit of a waste to have an unused cart slot on my 3DS.  I wouldn't mind just having 1 and just leaving it in there forever.

I was thinking about getting Chrono Trigger (DS) because I only beat it once and that was almost 20 years ago.  I barely remember the story.  On the other hand, maybe I'd be better off with something Tetris-y that is more pick-up & play and is more timeless.

[NWR_insanolord]

I'd go with Kid Icarus: Uprising, since it's one of the best games on the system and there are technical reasons why it may never be released on the eShop.

[Ceric]

I'd go with Kid Icarus: Uprising, since it's one of the best games on the system and there are technical reasons why it may never be released on the eShop.

NFR 15 Spoiler.  I fully expect KI:U to be on the eShop next year or the year after.