Don't have the Mario games, but want the Friends List update? Here is how to get it!

Mario Kart 7 distributes the 3DS Friends List firmware update when playing over Download Play. We found this update mechanism when playing the game with our friends and family.

The update allows players to join their friends directly for online Wi-Fi matches in supported games. This feature can be only be used for Mario Kart 7 at the moment of this writing.

A recent issue of Nintendo Power released new details about the 3DS firmware update.

The details of Nintendo’s upcoming 3DS firmware update have finally been released. According to the December issue of Nintendo Power, the update will include 3D video recording, improved QR code functionality, the ability to transfer game files to another 3DS, additional puzzles and an additional dungeon in StreetPass Mii Plaza, improved eShop functionality, and the Nintendo Zone application.

The epic RPG is hitting North America next year as an exclusive to GameStop and Nintendo's online store.

Nintendo confirmed that Xenoblade Chronicles, released in Europe in August, is coming to North America in April 2012.

News broke earlier this morning that GameStop had a possible exclusive version listed on their upcoming line-up of games. Following that, Nintendo posted images from Xenoblade Chronicles... Read more...

The game will be coming to the 3DS in Europe through Club Nintendo.

3D Classics: Kid Icarus will be the next title to be remade for the Nintendo 3DS with enhanced 3D graphics. The 3D Classics release was previously announced for Japan during the 3DS Conference in October.

Kid Icarus was originally released for NES in 1987 and was also released on Game Boy Advance in the Classic NES series as well as Wii Virtual Console.

(UPDATED - Nintendo posts pics on Facebook!) Could the fruits of rainfall finally wash ashore?

UPDATE: Nintendo has posted images from the game on the company's official Facebook page.

Xenoblade Chronicles may be released in North America as an exclusive to gaming retail giant GameStop. On the flip side, an exclusive version of the game could be hitting GameStop.

Over on NeoGAF, a screenshot... Read more...

Dr. House gets jolly with Christmas puzzles, and Master Higgins makes his 3DS Virtual Console debut... and still no Virtual Console game for Wii.

In what seems to be a light selection this week, four new games have been added to Nintendo's downloadable game services, primarily the eShop and DSiWare.

The only Virtual Console game out this week is for the eShop: Hudson Soft's Adventure Island. Originally released for the Game Boy in 1991, it is a handheld rendition of Adventure Island II for NES. It can be downloaded for $3.99.