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Difference between revisions of "Nintendo 3DS"

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m (→‎List of Nintendo 3DS System Versions: the browser was always there, just never useable)
 
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===Nintendo eShop===
 
===Nintendo eShop===
−
The 3DS features its own video game and application download feature called the '''Nintendo eShop''', which features games from the [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Color]], as well as 3D versions of "Classic Games", in addition to DSiware games.<ref>{{cite-web|name=Nintendo|site= Nintendo.com|adress=[http://www.nintendo.com/3ds/built-in-software/#/7 Nintendo 3DS - Built in Software and Applications]|year=2011|title = Nintendo 3DS - Built in Software and Applications|accessed = August 9th, 2011}}</ref> The Nintendo eShop abandons the traditional Nintendo points system and instead use a cash-based system where people can either load money onto their 3DS directly with a credit card or through official cards bought in retail stores.<ref>{{cite-web|site=Nintendo life|adress=[http://3ds.nintendolife.com/news/2011/02/current_nintendo_points_will_be_useless_on_the_3ds Current Nintendo Points will be Useless on the 3DS]|year=2011|title = Current Nintendo Points will be Useless on the 3DS|accessed = August 9th, 2011}}</ref>
+
The 3DS features its own video game and application download feature called the '''Nintendo eShop''', which features games from the [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Color]], as well as 3D versions of "Classic Games", in addition to DSiware games.<ref>{{cite-web|name=Nintendo|site= Nintendo.com|adress=[http://www.nintendo.com/3ds/built-in-software/#/7 Nintendo 3DS - Built in Software and Applications]|year=2011|title = Nintendo 3DS - Built in Software and Applications|accessed = August 9th, 2011}}</ref> The Nintendo eShop abandons the traditional Nintendo Points system and instead use a cash-based system where people can either load money onto their 3DS directly with a credit card or through official cards bought in retail stores.<ref>{{cite-web|site=Nintendo life|adress=[http://3ds.nintendolife.com/news/2011/02/current_nintendo_points_will_be_useless_on_the_3ds Current Nintendo Points will be Useless on the 3DS]|year=2011|title = Current Nintendo Points will be Useless on the 3DS|accessed = August 9th, 2011}}</ref>
 +
 
 +
====Discontinuation====
 +
On May 23, 2022, the 3DS eShop stopped accepting credit cards.
 +
 
 +
On August 30, 2022 at 04:30am UTC, the 3DS eShop stopped accepting gift cards. (It was still possible to add balance by adding a [[Nintendo Network]] ID to the 3DS, linking the NNID to a Nintendo Account, and then adding balance to the Nintendo Account normally. Any existing gift cards could continue be redeemed for Nintendo Switch.)<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230410154457/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847/</ref>
 +
 
 +
On March 28, 2023 at midnight UTC, the 3DS eShop shut down for new purchases and new downloads of free apps and demos. New downloads of game updates and redownloads were unaffected.
 +
 
 +
Redemption of download codes was also supposed to shut down at the same time, but mistakenly shut down nine hours earlier on March 28, 2023 midnight Japan Standard Time (UTC+9). The redemption deadline was then extended to April 3, 2023 at 04:30am UTC.<ref>https://twitter.com/nintendo_cs/status/1640642079884992513</ref>
 +
 
 +
On March 12, 2024 at 05:00am UTC, a Nintendo Network ID can no longer be linked to a Nintendo Account. Any 3DS eShop balance (added before August 30, 2022) not linked to a Nintendo Account is forfeited at this time.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20240126025915/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/61150</ref>
 +
 
 +
On April 8, 2024 at 23:00 UTC, online functions of 3DS games and apps shut down, except for ''[[Pokémon Bank]]'', ''[[Poké Transporter]]'', and the remaining [[Nintendo eShop|eShop]] services (downloading game updates and redownloading deleted purchases remain unaffected).
  
 
===Themes===
 
===Themes===
 
{{main|List of Nintendo 3DS themes}}
 
{{main|List of Nintendo 3DS themes}}
 
The October 6, 2014 update added themes to the HOME Menu. Five come free (red, blue, yellow, pink, and black) and a Theme Shop has more for purchase.
 
The October 6, 2014 update added themes to the HOME Menu. Five come free (red, blue, yellow, pink, and black) and a Theme Shop has more for purchase.
 +
 +
===Game Updates===
 +
Game updates are hosted by the eShop and appear as their own free downloadable items while browsing. It is possible to download updates for games the player does not have, even after the 2023 3DS eShop shutdown. For games that have had multiple updates, only the latest version appears.
 +
 +
When downloading (or redownloading) a game from the eShop, only the first version (Ver. 1.0) is downloaded. After either completing or postponing it from the eShop screen, the eShop will then ask the user if they want to also download the latest update (if it has not already been downloaded). On the Data Management menu, updates are treated as "free DLC" and can be deleted without deleting the game. The original game can also be deleted without deleting the update.
 +
 +
In contrast, paid DLC does not show up as its own separate eShop items and cannot be downloaded without having the original game. Numbered version updates to free apps, such as Pokémon Bank, also do not show up as separate eShop items and cannot be separately downloaded.
 +
 +
On the Home screen, when hovering over a game that has a not-yet-downloaded update, the system will display a footnote on the top screen saying so. When launching a game with this footnote while the system has an internet connection, the system will bring up a prompt giving the player the option to download the update. If the system has a [[Nintendo Network]] ID added, the user must log in to download the update. Disconnecting the system from the internet does not dismiss the footnote but prevents the prompt from appearing. The prompt will also not appear if launching a game that the user has suspended. In order to see the footnote for the first time, the user must have accepted the EULA. (Therefore, any footnotes will temporarily disappear if the user changes their locale.)
 +
 +
(The EULA appears when starting anything that needs an internet connection except for a system update or format. It also appears optionally during initial setup and optionally after successfully testing an internet connection. Attempting to go online in a game without first accepting the EULA will not make it appear but instead throw Error Code 003-0399.<ref group="note">"To use this feature, you must accept the terms of the Nintendo 3DS Service User Agreement." "Go to System Settings ⇒ Internet Settings ⇒ Other Information ⇒ User Agreement and agree to the terms."</ref>)
  
 
==List of Nintendo 3DS System Versions==
 
==List of Nintendo 3DS System Versions==
 +
System updates are required to access the eShop, download game updates, or perform a System Transfer. Other online actions, such as adding a [[Nintendo Network]] ID or using the Internet Browser or Friend List, do not require a system update.
 +
 +
Nintendo is able to mandate a system update for online play for specific combinations of games, regions, and hardware revisions.
 +
 
{| class = "wikitable"
 
{| class = "wikitable"
 
|+ align="bottom" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite-web|site=Nintendo.com|adress=[http://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/231 Nintendo 3DS - System Menu Update History]|year=2014|title=Nintendo 3DS - System Menu Update History|accessed = October 29th, 2014}}</ref>
 
|+ align="bottom" style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite-web|site=Nintendo.com|adress=[http://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/231 Nintendo 3DS - System Menu Update History]|year=2014|title=Nintendo 3DS - System Menu Update History|accessed = October 29th, 2014}}</ref>
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|2.0.0-2
 
|2.0.0-2
 
|June 6, 2011
 
|June 6, 2011
−
|Adds Nintendo eShop, 3DS Internet Browser, DSi-3DS system transfer, and SpotPass functionality in Sleep Mode. Also introduces a bug in Ridge Racer 3D.
+
|Adds Nintendo eShop, enables 3DS Internet Browser, DSi-3DS system transfer, and SpotPass functionality in Sleep Mode. Also introduces a bug in Ridge Racer 3D.
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2.1.0-3
 
|2.1.0-3
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==Region locking==
 
==Region locking==
−
The Nintendo 3DS is the only Nintendo handheld to be region-locked. This also affects which languages can be set.
+
===Overview===
 +
The Nintendo 3DS series is the only Nintendo handheld series to be region-locked. Each region may only set certain languages and locales.
 +
 
 +
The system itself and the 3DS eShop have separate language settings. Any locale in the region can be paired with any system language, but each locale only supports certain eShop language(s).
 +
 
 +
The system and the 3DS eShop also technically have separate locale settings, which will stop matching if the user changes their 3DS's locale. This has some consequences.
 +
 
 +
====Without a Nintendo Network ID added====
 +
Before adding a [[Nintendo Network]] ID to the 3DS, the user may change their 3DS's locale and still browse the eShop. Opening the eShop will first check the current eShop language against the new locale; if they are not compatible then the app will prompt the user. For example, if the eShop language is currently Spanish, then the user changes their locale to Belgium and their system language to French, and then they open the eShop, it will prompt them (in Spanish) that their current locale does not support their eShop language and ask if they want to change their eShop language to either French or Dutch. If the eShop language was instead Dutch at the beginning, the eShop will remain in Dutch after the locale is changed to Belgium and the system language is changed to French (and the user must change the eShop language manually from inside the application). Changing the eShop language requires automatically restarting the app.
 +
 
 +
Afterward, the eShop will display a series of messages stating that software availability may differ by locale and that balances may not carry over; if the new locale uses a different currency from the old locale, both the old and new balances will be displayed. Proceeding from here will change the eShop's locale to match the system's. (The app will also auto-restart to do so; this may result in two auto-restarts in a row combined with the previous one.) Balances in a different currency will not carry over, but will return if the locale is changed back.
 +
 
 +
====With a Nintendo Network ID added====
 +
Nintendo Network IDs are locale-locked. Once a Nintendo Network ID is added to the 3DS, if the user then changes the 3DS's locale, they will no longer be able to browse the eShop. Any balance that was in a different currency from before the Nintendo Network ID was added will be forfeited. A Nintendo Network ID cannot be easily removed after being added.
 +
 
 +
If the user first opens the eShop without a Nintendo Network ID in one locale, then changes their locale without re-opening the eShop, then adds a Nintendo Network ID matching the new locale, this will create a situation where the 3DS's locale and the Nintendo Network ID's locale match, yet the eShop's locale doesn't match. In this case, the eShop's locale will silently change itself to the 3DS's locale the moment the eShop's login form appears, even if nothing is typed. (This silent change will also occur if the 3DS's locale and the Nintendo Network ID's locale do not match.) Unlike an eShop locale change without a Nintendo Network ID, these silent changes do not require the eShop to restart.
 +
 
 +
If the Nintendo Network ID's locale supports multiple eShop languages, the user may switch between them as usual. Since this still requires the eShop app to automatically restart, the user will have to log in again.
 +
 
 +
====Downloads====
 +
Downloaded games, including ones that are still wrapped, remain on the Home screen if the user changes any combination of their system or eShop locales, or if they add a Nintendo Network ID, even if the locale(s) do not have that game available or if a locale cannot open the eShop.
 +
 
 +
If the user has a partially downloaded game or update (including one waiting on Sleep Mode that has not started yet), and then changes the system locale, the game will initially remain and can continue downloading, even if the new locale does not have that game available or cannot open the eShop, and even if the system is powered off and on in the new locale.
 +
 
 +
However, if the user opens the eShop and the eShop locale is changed, the partially downloaded game will disappear from the Home screen even if the new locale still has that game available. (This means that if the user has a Nintendo Network ID added, the game will disappear without warning when the eShop's login form appears. If the user does not have a Nintendo Network ID added, the game will not disappear if the eShop locale fails to change, either because the user rejects the language/currency/etc. change or because the new locale has a "currently not available" eShop.)
 +
 
 +
If the 3DS's locale and the eShop locale do not match, and the user does not have a Nintendo Network ID added, game updates cannot be downloaded from the Home screen. Attempting to download will throw Error Code 009-1003<ref group="note">"The system's country setting and your Nintendo eShop country setting do not match." "Launch Nintendo eShop, confirm that the country setting has been updated, and then try again."</ref> and the footnote (displaying that an update is available) will not be dismissed.
 +
 
 +
If the 3DS and eShop locales do not match, but the user has added a Nintendo Network ID and the 3DS's locale matches the Nintendo Network ID's locale, then game updates can be successfully downloaded from the Home screen. The eShop locale will silently change to match only after the user logs in. The eShop locale will not change if the login fails, such as if the 3DS's locale and the Nintendo Network ID's locale do not match. If the user has a different partially downloaded game on the Home screen from the old eShop locale and the eShop locale silently changes in this way, the game will remain because the eShop app has not been opened yet. The different partially downloaded game can continue downloading even if it is not available in the now-changed eShop locale, or even if the whole eShop is not available in the now-changed locale.
  
−
The system itself and the 3DS eShop have separate language settings. Any locale in the region can be paired with any system language, but each locale only supports certain eShop language(s). For example, if the eShop language is currently Spanish, then the user changes their locale to Belgium and their system language to French, and then they open the eShop, it will prompt them (in Spanish) that their current locale does not match their eShop language and ask if they want to change their eShop language to either French or Dutch. If the eShop language was instead Dutch at the beginning, the eShop will remain in Dutch (after the locale is changed to Belgium and the system language is changed to French), and the user must change the eShop language manually from inside the application.
+
====Formatting====
 +
The eShop remembers the last locale used by a 3DS's serial number, even after formatting. For example, if the user visits the eShop with their locale set to Canada, then formats their 3DS, then sets their 3DS locale to the United States and visits the eShop again, the eShop will ask if the user wants to change their eShop locale from Canada to the United States and display the reminder about availability and currency.
  
−
Balances can only be transferred between eShop locales if the two locales have the same currency.
+
In contrast, the eShop does not remember the last eShop language used by a 3DS's serial number after a format. Instead, when the eShop is first opened, the eShop language will be set to the current system language. If it is not compatible with the eShop's current locale, the eShop will display the prompt about unsupported languages as usual.
  
−
[[Nintendo Network]] IDs are locale-locked. Once a Nintendo Network ID is added to the 3DS, if the user then changes the 3DS's locale, they will no longer be able to browse the eShop. A Nintendo Network ID cannot be easily removed after being added.
+
However, Nintendo Network IDs do keep track of eShop language after a format. For example, if the user adds a Nintendo Network ID whose locale is the United States, then sets their eShop language to Spanish, then formats, then sets their locale to Canada and their eShop language to English, then changes their locale back to the United States, then re-adds the Nintendo Network ID, and then logs into the eShop, the eShop language will automatically change from English to Spanish. As with all eShop language changes, this will cause the eShop app to automatically restart and require the user to log in a second time.
 +
 
 +
If the above scenario occurs but the Nintendo Network ID has never had an eShop language set, and the current eShop language is not compatible with the Nintendo Network ID's locale, then the eShop will prompt the user to select a compatible language before the restart. (This is the only way to both have a Nintendo Network ID and also see a language selection prompt upon opening the eShop.) The Nintendo Network ID's eShop language is separate from the language used on the login screen and when receiving (e.g.) forgot password emails to that Nintendo Network ID's email address, which use the system language.
 +
 
 +
====System Transfers====
 +
Performing a System Transfer, in addition to requiring an internet connection, also has various locale-related requirements. If the 3DS has a Nintendo Network ID added, the user must have successfully logged into and opened the eShop using that Nintendo Network ID at least once. (This resets if the Nintendo Network ID is no longer added, such as through reformatting.) Finally, regardless of whether the 3DS has a Nintendo Network ID or not, the eShop's locale and the 3DS's locale must match. If these one or two requirements are not met, the System Transfer menu will display a message about the first unmet requirement and prompt the user to return to the Settings menu.
 +
 
 +
====Other====
 +
The 3DS contains a separate swear word filter for each language and region combination (for example, there exist words that are blocked only in Canadian French and words that are blocked only in European French). However, the US English word filter also applies for all U region languages, and the UK English word filter also applies for all E region languages. (No additional word filter applies for J region, K region, and T region systems.) Any spaces in a word are removed before checking against the filter.
  
 
===U region===
 
===U region===
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Until July 31, 2020, the other listed locales in the Americas also had limited 3DS eShops where only download codes could be redeemed and game updates could be downloaded.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230312042539/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/48972/</ref>
 
Until July 31, 2020, the other listed locales in the Americas also had limited 3DS eShops where only download codes could be redeemed and game updates could be downloaded.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230312042539/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/48972/</ref>
  
−
The eShop app can be "opened" in an unsupported locale (including ones not in the Americas), but it will display a "currently not available"<ref group="note">"Nintendo eShop is currently not available in the country you have selected in System Settings." "Press <nowiki>[Home icon]</nowiki> to return to the HOME Menu."</ref> message and prompt the user to exit the app.
+
The eShop app can be "opened" in an unsupported locale (including ones not in the Americas), but it will display a "currently not available"<ref group="note">"Nintendo eShop is currently not available in the country you have selected in System Settings." "Press <nowiki>[Home icon]</nowiki> to return to the HOME Menu."</ref> message and prompt the user to exit the app. If the system does not have a Nintendo Network ID added, this will also fail to change the eShop's locale. If the user has added a Nintendo Network ID of a different locale (whether supported or unsupported), the error message about different locales will take priority over the unsupported locale message.
  
−
If the user is in one of these locales, then the user will still be prompted to download game updates even though the eShop is not available. However, attempting to start the download will throw Error Code 009-1003<ref group="note">"The system's country setting and your Nintendo eShop country setting do not match. Launch Nintendo eShop, confirm that the country setting has been updated, and then try again."</ref> and the prompt will not be dismissed. This error code cannot be resolved by opening the eShop but can be resolved by changing the locale.
+
If the user is in an unsupported locale, they will still see game update footnotes even though the eShop is not available. If the eShop's locale and the 3DS's locale match, attempting to start the download will throw Error Code 026-3131.<ref group="note">"You cannot use downloadable content or passes with your current region settings."</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230319004439/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/50031</ref> If the user has a Nintendo Network ID added at this point, they will be "locked out" of game updates, since they can no longer change their locale without losing access to items inside the eShop. The user may temporarily get rid of the footnote by changing their locale (to anywhere and/or back to their original locale), then never accepting the EULA (for example, by never opening the eShop, Internet Browser, Friend List, or Nintendo Network ID Settings menu).
  
−
However, if the user has added a Nintendo Network ID in one of these locales, then attempting to start the download will instead throw Error Code 026-3131.<ref group="note">"You cannot use downloadable content or passes with your current region settings."</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230319004439/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/50031</ref> Since the user can no longer change their locale without losing access to items inside the eShop, they will be "locked out" of game updates. (Attempting to start the download will throw the same error as attempting to log in to the eShop.)
+
System Transfers are not possible from an unsupported locale. If the 3DS has a Nintendo Network ID added, the user can never meet the "successfully log into and open the eShop using that Nintendo Network ID" requirement (getting to the unsupported locale message fails to count) and the usual message will always appear. If the 3DS doesn't have a Nintendo Network ID added, then regardless of the eShop's current locale, the system will throw Error Code 028-3131.<ref group="note">"The transfer service is not available in your region of residence."</ref>
  
 
===E region===
 
===E region===
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* Others: Australia, New Zealand, India
 
* Others: Australia, New Zealand, India
  
−
For E region systems, the 3DS eShop is only available in the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Note that this does not include Iceland.
+
For E region systems, the 3DS eShop is only available in the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Note that this does not include Iceland or the UK territories.
  
−
Turkey also has a limited 3DS eShop where download codes can be redeemed, and some (but not all) free updates and free apps can be downloaded. (For example, updates for Pokémon X and Y can be downloaded, but no other Pokémon games or demos. Nintendo Letter Box (aka Swapnote) can be downloaded.)<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230312074919/https://www.nintendo.co.za/Support/Nintendo-3DS-2DS/Usage/Nintendo-eShop/In-which-countries-is-Nintendo-eShop-available-for-Nintendo-3DS-/In-which-countries-is-Nintendo-eShop-available-for-Nintendo-3DS-693500.html</ref>
+
Turkey also has a limited 3DS eShop where download codes can be redeemed, and some (but not all) free updates and free apps can be downloaded.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230312074919/https://www.nintendo.co.za/Support/Nintendo-3DS-2DS/Usage/Nintendo-eShop/In-which-countries-is-Nintendo-eShop-available-for-Nintendo-3DS-/In-which-countries-is-Nintendo-eShop-available-for-Nintendo-3DS-693500.html</ref> For example, updates for Pokémon X and Y can be downloaded, but no other Pokémon games or demos. Nintendo Letter Box (aka Swapnote) can be downloaded. If the user attempts to download an update that is not listed on the Turkey 3DS eShop, the eShop will throw Error Code 011-3021<ref group="note">"Software currently unavailable."</ref> upon trying to display or download the eShop item. This also applies if the user downloads the update in an available locale, then deletes it and attempts to redownload with a locale of Turkey. If the user attempts to download the update from the Home screen without directly opening the eShop, for unknown reasons, the update will appear successful (with the progress bar partially filling and then suddenly jumping to the end) and display a success message, but nothing will be downloaded or updated and it will not appear under the Data Management menu. The game update footnote and associated prompt will still be present. For unknown reasons, balances in the Turkey 3DS eShop display with the zł symbol (Polish złoty) if the language is English, though it is impossible to add any balance. They display properly as TRY (Turkish lira) in other languages, which is only visible when changing locales out of Turkey and reading the message about different balances in the new locale's eShop language. System Transfers are possible as normal with a locale of Turkey.
  
 
The France 3DS eShop supports only French, the Italian 3DS eShop supports only Italian, the German 3DS eShop supports only German, the Spain 3DS eShop supports only Spanish, the Netherlands 3DS eShop supports only Dutch, and the Portugal 3DS eShop supports only Portuguese. The Austria 3DS eShop supports only German, the Belgium 3DS eShop supports Dutch and French, the Luxembourg 3DS eShop supports French and German, and the Switzerland 3DS eShop supports German, French, and Italian. All other E region 3DS eShops support only English.
 
The France 3DS eShop supports only French, the Italian 3DS eShop supports only Italian, the German 3DS eShop supports only German, the Spain 3DS eShop supports only Spanish, the Netherlands 3DS eShop supports only Dutch, and the Portugal 3DS eShop supports only Portuguese. The Austria 3DS eShop supports only German, the Belgium 3DS eShop supports Dutch and French, the Luxembourg 3DS eShop supports French and German, and the Switzerland 3DS eShop supports German, French, and Italian. All other E region 3DS eShops support only English.
  
−
The eShop app cannot be opened in an unsupported locale. The Nintendo Network ID Settings also cannot be accessed. Attempting to do either will immediately display a "This service is not available in your region." message and the app will not attempt to open.
+
The EULA cannot be accessed or accepted in an unsupported locale, and anything that would display it will instead display a "This service is not available in your region." message. As a consequence, the eShop app cannot be opened (attempting to will immediately display the previous message and the app will not try to open). This also applies to the Nintendo Network ID Settings, apps such as the Friend List, and the System Transfer option in the Settings menu. (Therefore, game updates also cannot be downloaded and the user will never see any game update footnotes.) Uniquely, the E region is the only region where accepting the EULA is not required to open the Internet Browser, allowing unsupported locales to still use it. Attempting to go online in a game in an unsupported locale will still throw the error code telling the user to accept the EULA, even though they cannot.
−
 
 
−
Game updates cannot be downloaded in a locale where the eShop app cannot be opened. If the user is in one of these locales, then they will never be prompted to download a game update. If the user switches to one of these locales, any existing prompts will disappear.
 
  
 
The 3DS eShop was previously available in Russia but was suspended in 2022. The eShop app will "open", then display a "currently not available"<ref group="note">"Nintendo eShop is currently not available in the region you have selected in the System Settings." "Press <nowiki>[Home icon]</nowiki> to return to the HOME Menu."</ref> message and prompt the user to exit.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230312074909/https://www.nintendo.co.za/Support/Nintendo-Switch/Nintendo-eShop-and-Theme-Shop-Availability-In-Our-Region-1379026.html</ref>
 
The 3DS eShop was previously available in Russia but was suspended in 2022. The eShop app will "open", then display a "currently not available"<ref group="note">"Nintendo eShop is currently not available in the region you have selected in the System Settings." "Press <nowiki>[Home icon]</nowiki> to return to the HOME Menu."</ref> message and prompt the user to exit.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230312074909/https://www.nintendo.co.za/Support/Nintendo-Switch/Nintendo-eShop-and-Theme-Shop-Availability-In-Our-Region-1379026.html</ref>
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===J region===
 
===J region===
 
J region systems automatically use a locale of Japan and are language-locked to Japanese. There is no setting to change either.
 
J region systems automatically use a locale of Japan and are language-locked to Japanese. There is no setting to change either.
 +
 +
===K region===
 +
K region systems automatically use a locale of South Korea and are language-locked to Korean. There is no setting to change either.
 +
 +
Nintendo Network IDs and Miiverse are not available (the items do not appear on the System Settings menu or the Home menu). Free apps and demos may be downloaded from the eShop even without a Nintendo Network ID.
 +
 +
Due to the inability to transfer 3DS eShop balance to a Nintendo Switch after the 3DS eShop's shutdown, users can request a refund by filling out an application on the Nintendo of Korea website between April 11, 2023 and July 28, 2023. The serial number of the K region 3DS and a bank account in South Korea are required.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230413054915/https://www.nintendo.co.kr/news/view.php?no=ZnZ1VDA4dm9sL2xWMTk2VEFSNTQrZz09</ref>
 +
 +
===T region===
 +
T region systems are language-locked to Traditional Chinese, and can be set to a locale of either Taiwan or Hong Kong.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20220701223438/https://www.nintendo.tw/3ds/CTR_manual.pdf</ref>
 +
 +
The Hong Kong locale uses HKD (Hong Kong dollars) as its currency, but for unknown reasons, the Taiwan locale uses Nintendo Points as its currency. The term "Nintendo Points" is written in English even though the eShop language is Traditional Chinese. One Nintendo Point is equal to one TWD (New Taiwan dollar).<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66SewN16ruQ</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230324042609/https://www.nintendo.com.hk/pressrelease/3ds_pokemonbank.html</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230324043003/https://www.nintendo.tw/pressrelease/3ds_pokemonbank.html</ref>
 +
 +
Nintendo Network IDs and Miiverse are not available (the items do not appear on the System Settings menu or the Home menu). Free apps and demos may be downloaded from the eShop even without a Nintendo Network ID.
 +
 +
Under Internet Settings, the Nintendo DS Connections button is not available. However, under Other Settings -> Profile, the Nintendo DS Profile button is still available.
 +
 +
Under Data Management -> Nintendo 3DS, the Save Data Backup button is not available, even on the latest system update.
 +
 +
Due to the inability to transfer 3DS eShop balance to a Nintendo Switch after the 3DS eShop's shutdown, users in Taiwan only can request a refund by contacting customer support between April 6, 2023 and March 6, 2024. The serial number of the T region 3DS and a Taiwan bank account are required.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230413060226/https://www.nintendo.tw/support/information/2022/0216.html</ref><ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230413055903/https://www.nintendo.tw/support/information/2023/0216.html</ref> Refunds were not offered to users in Hong Kong.<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20230413055924/https://www.nintendo.com.hk/support/information/2022/0216.html</ref>
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==

Latest revision as of 15:37, 10 April 2024

Nintendo 3DS
ニンテンドー3DS Nintendō Surī Dī Esu
3DS logo.png
Nintendo 3DS.png
Aqua Blue Nintendo 3DS system
Games
No. of games ~700
No. of launch titles 16
Best-selling game Mario Kart 7 (18.11 million)[1]
Last game N/A
Technical details
Media Nintendo 3DS Game Cards, Nintendo DS/DSi Game Cards, Digital distribution
Storage capacity 128 MB FCRAM, 6 MB VRAM, 1 GB internal flash memory, SD card
CPU Dual Core ARM11 MPCore, single core ARM9
Model no. CTR-001
Compatibility
Can connect with Wii U
Input Touch Screen
Backwards compatible with Nintendo DS/DSi
Services provided Nintendo Network, Virtual Console
Time
Launch date NA: March 27, 2011
JP: February 26, 2011
EU: March 25, 2011
AUS: March 31, 2011
KOR: April 28, 2012
Discontinue date JP: July 13, 2017[2]
Units sold WW: 74.84 million[3]
NA: 26.35 million[4]
JP: 25.15 million[4]
Lineage
Predecessor Successor
Nintendo DS Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo 3DS (Japanese: ニンテンド3DS Nintendo 3DS) is a portable console developed by Nintendo. It is the successor of the Nintendo DS. Like previous DS consoles, it features dual screens, with the lower screen being a touch screen. However, the top screen is able to produce "3D effects without glasses" via a process called autostereoscopy. The console features backwards compatiblity with the DS and DSi consoles. It was released on February 25, 2011 for Japan, March 27, 2011 for North America. It also has a Mii Maker, and a Virtual Console for Game Boy and Game Boy Color games.

Production

NintendoWiki logo.png This section is a stub. You can help NintendoWiki by expanding it.


In April 2017, Nintendo updated its support website to state that it would no longer be accepting requests for repairs of original model Nintendo 3DS systems.[5][6]

As of August 2020, production of the 3DS has been discontinued.[7]

Features and Software

System Settings

System Settings allows you to change settings for your Nintendo 3DS, such as system profile and date/time. System Settings also allows you to calibrate the touch screen and Circle Pad, perform Microphone Tests and 3D Screen Checks, and use System Transfer.

Activity Log

Activity Log allows you to view records of activity on the 3DS (pedometer steps, game playtime, etc.). It also has a Software Library feature where you can view software you've played, how long you've played it, etc. You can also view rankings in the Software Library.

AR Games

AR Cards

Augmented Realty Games (or AR Games for short) are games that use the AR cards and the 2 outer cameras to augment reality on your 3DS screen. You can then play a multitude of games such as archery and fishing. You can also use your play coins to purchase new games.

Nintendo eShop

The 3DS features its own video game and application download feature called the Nintendo eShop, which features games from the Game Boy, Game Boy Color, as well as 3D versions of "Classic Games", in addition to DSiware games.[8] The Nintendo eShop abandons the traditional Nintendo Points system and instead use a cash-based system where people can either load money onto their 3DS directly with a credit card or through official cards bought in retail stores.[9]

Discontinuation

On May 23, 2022, the 3DS eShop stopped accepting credit cards.

On August 30, 2022 at 04:30am UTC, the 3DS eShop stopped accepting gift cards. (It was still possible to add balance by adding a Nintendo Network ID to the 3DS, linking the NNID to a Nintendo Account, and then adding balance to the Nintendo Account normally. Any existing gift cards could continue be redeemed for Nintendo Switch.)[10]

On March 28, 2023 at midnight UTC, the 3DS eShop shut down for new purchases and new downloads of free apps and demos. New downloads of game updates and redownloads were unaffected.

Redemption of download codes was also supposed to shut down at the same time, but mistakenly shut down nine hours earlier on March 28, 2023 midnight Japan Standard Time (UTC+9). The redemption deadline was then extended to April 3, 2023 at 04:30am UTC.[11]

On March 12, 2024 at 05:00am UTC, a Nintendo Network ID can no longer be linked to a Nintendo Account. Any 3DS eShop balance (added before August 30, 2022) not linked to a Nintendo Account is forfeited at this time.[12]

On April 8, 2024 at 23:00 UTC, online functions of 3DS games and apps shut down, except for Pokémon Bank, Poké Transporter, and the remaining eShop services (downloading game updates and redownloading deleted purchases remain unaffected).

Themes

NintendoWiki logo.png  Main article: List of Nintendo 3DS themes 

The October 6, 2014 update added themes to the HOME Menu. Five come free (red, blue, yellow, pink, and black) and a Theme Shop has more for purchase.

Game Updates

Game updates are hosted by the eShop and appear as their own free downloadable items while browsing. It is possible to download updates for games the player does not have, even after the 2023 3DS eShop shutdown. For games that have had multiple updates, only the latest version appears.

When downloading (or redownloading) a game from the eShop, only the first version (Ver. 1.0) is downloaded. After either completing or postponing it from the eShop screen, the eShop will then ask the user if they want to also download the latest update (if it has not already been downloaded). On the Data Management menu, updates are treated as "free DLC" and can be deleted without deleting the game. The original game can also be deleted without deleting the update.

In contrast, paid DLC does not show up as its own separate eShop items and cannot be downloaded without having the original game. Numbered version updates to free apps, such as Pokémon Bank, also do not show up as separate eShop items and cannot be separately downloaded.

On the Home screen, when hovering over a game that has a not-yet-downloaded update, the system will display a footnote on the top screen saying so. When launching a game with this footnote while the system has an internet connection, the system will bring up a prompt giving the player the option to download the update. If the system has a Nintendo Network ID added, the user must log in to download the update. Disconnecting the system from the internet does not dismiss the footnote but prevents the prompt from appearing. The prompt will also not appear if launching a game that the user has suspended. In order to see the footnote for the first time, the user must have accepted the EULA. (Therefore, any footnotes will temporarily disappear if the user changes their locale.)

(The EULA appears when starting anything that needs an internet connection except for a system update or format. It also appears optionally during initial setup and optionally after successfully testing an internet connection. Attempting to go online in a game without first accepting the EULA will not make it appear but instead throw Error Code 003-0399.[note 1])

List of Nintendo 3DS System Versions

System updates are required to access the eShop, download game updates, or perform a System Transfer. Other online actions, such as adding a Nintendo Network ID or using the Internet Browser or Friend List, do not require a system update.

Nintendo is able to mandate a system update for online play for specific combinations of games, regions, and hardware revisions.

[13]
Version Number Date Released Description
1.0.0-0 System Default Initial version included at the launch of the system.
1.1.0-1 March 27, 2011 Improves stability of system, improves network connectivity, and extends data receiving ability. Also adds a 3D demonstration video.
2.0.0-2 June 6, 2011 Adds Nintendo eShop, enables 3DS Internet Browser, DSi-3DS system transfer, and SpotPass functionality in Sleep Mode. Also introduces a bug in Ridge Racer 3D.
2.1.0-3 June 15, 2011 Adds automatic updating when a wireless internet connection is available. Also fixes Ridge Racer 3D bug.
2.1.0-4 July 25, 2011 System stability fixes.
2.2.0-4 November 13, 2011 Adds ability to join online games from Friend List. Required to run Super Mario 3D Land and Mario Kart 7, and will automatically update to this version if a 3DS is not updated to this version or later.
3.0.0-5 December 6, 2011 Adds 3D video recording and stop motion/time lapse functionality to 3DS Camera. Adds Accomplishments, Music Player, Slideshow (for finished Puzzle Swap panels), SpotPass functionality, improved StreetPass functionality, new Puzzle Swap panels, and Find Mii II to StreetPass Mii Plaza. Adds demo downloads, in-game purchase downloads, Sleep Mode downloads ("Download Later"), add-on content for cartridge games, and improved convienience to Nintendo eShop. Improves Parental Controls, system security, and online play. Adds 3DS-3DS System Transfer, QR Code functionality (in HOME Menu's camera mode), and Nintendo Zone.
3.0.0-6 December 21, 2011 Minor improvements to system performance and StreetPass Mii Plaza.
4.0.0-7 April 24, 2012 Adds ability to create folders on the Home Menu to organize games and applications.
4.1.0-8 May 14, 2012 System stability fixes and minor adjustments
4.2.0-9 June 26, 2012 System stability fixes and minor adjustments
4.3.0-10 July 24, 2012 System stability foxes and minor adjustments
4.4.0-10 September 19, 2012 System stability fixes and minor adjustments
4.5.0-10 December 4, 2012 System stability fixes and minor adjustments
5.0.0-11 March 25, 2013 Makes Sleep Mode downloads still function when Nintendo eShop is open while in Sleep Mode
5.1.0-11 April 4, 2013 Fixes bug that prevents accessing System Settings
6.0.0-11 June 17, 2013 Adds save data backups for downloaded games
6.1.0-11 June 27, 2013 System stability fixes and minor adjustments
6.1.0-12 July 11, 2013 Can now update StreetPass Mii Plaza from within Mii Plaza application
6.2.0-12 August 5, 2013 Adds StreetPass relay feature, allowing StreetPass data to be passed between systems within a Nintendo Zone
6.3.0-12 September 12, 2013 System stability fixes and minor adjustments
7.0.0-13 December 9, 2013 Adds Nintendo Network IDs, Miiverse, and a notification system for software updates. Changes activation of the 3DS Camera to pressing the L and R buttons simultaneously. Removed limit of system transfers
7.1.0-14 December 19, 2013 System stability fixes and minor adjustments
7.1.0-15 January 22, 2014 System stability fixes and minor adjustments
7.1.0-16 February 26, 2014 System stability fixes and minor adjustments
7.2.0-17 May 12, 2014 Passwords for Parental Controls may now be emailed in case they are forgotten
8.0.0-18 July 7, 2014 System stability fixes and minor adjustments
8.1.0-18 July 24, 2014 System stability fixes and minor adjustments
8.1.0-19 August 6, 2014 System stability fixes and minor adjustments
9.0.0-20 October 6, 2014 Adds themes to the Home Menu and a Theme Shop for purchaseable ones. Screenshots of the Home Menu are now possible. Alteration to the Nintendo eShop.
9.2.0-20 October 29, 2014 System stability fixes and minor adjustments
9.3.0-21 December 8, 2014 Users are now able to shuffle through themes, software updates downloadable on the HOME menu, screenshots now available for both screens, amiibo settings for the 3DS XL, and stability improvements.
9.4.0-21 December 11, 2014 System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
9.5.0-22 February 2, 2015 System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
9.5.0-23 March 2, 2015 System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
9.6.0-24 March 23, 2015 Home menu layout setting, additional theme categories, stability fixes and minor adjustments added. Amiibo settings for most devices also added.
9.7.0-25 April 20, 2015 System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
9.8.0-25 June 1, 2015 System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
9.9.0-26 July 13, 2015 System stability fixes, security stability, and minor adjustments.
10.0.0-27 September 8, 2015 System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
10.1.0-27 September 14, 2015 System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
10.2.0-28 October 19, 2015 System stability fixes and minor adjustments.
10.3.0-28 November 9, 2015 Stability fixes and minor adjustments.
10.4.0-29 January 18, 2016 Stability fixes and minor adjustments.
10.5.0-30 January 25, 2016 Stability fixes and minor adjustments.

System revisions

Nintendo 3DS XL

The Nintendo 3DS XL.

In July 2012, a second iteration of the console was released, the Nintendo 3DS XL. It was released in North America and Europe in Silver/Brown, Red/Brown and Blue/Brown colours, and was also released in fully white and Pikachu-themed editions in Japan.

Differences between the Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL

  • The 3DS XL boasts 90% bigger screens, which also results in a harder to lose 3D sweetspot, and more exaggerated 3D effect. The screens are also less light-reflective.
  • The 3DS XL has a larger battery life.
  • The 3D light has been removed, and the 3D Slider must now be clicked to be disabled.
  • Start, Select and Home are now more clickable buttons.
  • The 3DS XL comes with a larger SD Card.
  • The stylus of the 3DS XL is no longer telescopic, and is placed in the side of the console.
  • The circle pad is smaller, smoother, and indented further into the console. Additionally, the four protrusions of the D-Pad are now sloped.

Nintendo 2DS

The Nintendo 2DS is the third version of the Nintendo 3DS hardware, released on October 12, 2013 for most of the world (coinciding with the release of Pokémon X and Y, and on December 7, 2013 in South Korea; the hardware has not been released in Japan. The Nintendo 2DS was designed to be an entry-level and budget version of the console, having a cheaper price point compared to the other two systems at the time and removing several features, most notably the stereoscopic 3D capabilities of the system; as such, according to Reggie Fils-Aimé the target audience of the Nintendo 2DS is younger players who were advised to not use the 3D feature on the standard Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DS XL systems.

While the system's internals and software capabilities are the same as the Nintendo 3DS as it is redesign of the system, several alterations were made to cut costs. While the system lacks the 3D capabilities of the other systems, it still has the dual cameras allowing it to capture 3D images, which can be viewed in 3D on any other Nintendo 3DS family system. In addition, the Nintendo 2DS uses a new form factor rather than the clamshell form used by all Nintendo handheld systems since the Game Boy Advance SP (excluding the Game Boy Micro); the system instead has a switch for putting the system into sleep mode. The dual screens are a singular touch-sensitive screen framed to give the illusion of dual screens and to retain the same dimensions as other Nintendo 3DS systems. It also only has mono audio output as opposed to the stereo output of the previous systems. Finally, the Start and Select buttons are placed on the bottom right side of the system, as opposed to being on both sides of the home button, while the other buttons themselves are placed closer to the center of the system due to the new design.

Region locking

Overview

The Nintendo 3DS series is the only Nintendo handheld series to be region-locked. Each region may only set certain languages and locales.

The system itself and the 3DS eShop have separate language settings. Any locale in the region can be paired with any system language, but each locale only supports certain eShop language(s).

The system and the 3DS eShop also technically have separate locale settings, which will stop matching if the user changes their 3DS's locale. This has some consequences.

Without a Nintendo Network ID added

Before adding a Nintendo Network ID to the 3DS, the user may change their 3DS's locale and still browse the eShop. Opening the eShop will first check the current eShop language against the new locale; if they are not compatible then the app will prompt the user. For example, if the eShop language is currently Spanish, then the user changes their locale to Belgium and their system language to French, and then they open the eShop, it will prompt them (in Spanish) that their current locale does not support their eShop language and ask if they want to change their eShop language to either French or Dutch. If the eShop language was instead Dutch at the beginning, the eShop will remain in Dutch after the locale is changed to Belgium and the system language is changed to French (and the user must change the eShop language manually from inside the application). Changing the eShop language requires automatically restarting the app.

Afterward, the eShop will display a series of messages stating that software availability may differ by locale and that balances may not carry over; if the new locale uses a different currency from the old locale, both the old and new balances will be displayed. Proceeding from here will change the eShop's locale to match the system's. (The app will also auto-restart to do so; this may result in two auto-restarts in a row combined with the previous one.) Balances in a different currency will not carry over, but will return if the locale is changed back.

With a Nintendo Network ID added

Nintendo Network IDs are locale-locked. Once a Nintendo Network ID is added to the 3DS, if the user then changes the 3DS's locale, they will no longer be able to browse the eShop. Any balance that was in a different currency from before the Nintendo Network ID was added will be forfeited. A Nintendo Network ID cannot be easily removed after being added.

If the user first opens the eShop without a Nintendo Network ID in one locale, then changes their locale without re-opening the eShop, then adds a Nintendo Network ID matching the new locale, this will create a situation where the 3DS's locale and the Nintendo Network ID's locale match, yet the eShop's locale doesn't match. In this case, the eShop's locale will silently change itself to the 3DS's locale the moment the eShop's login form appears, even if nothing is typed. (This silent change will also occur if the 3DS's locale and the Nintendo Network ID's locale do not match.) Unlike an eShop locale change without a Nintendo Network ID, these silent changes do not require the eShop to restart.

If the Nintendo Network ID's locale supports multiple eShop languages, the user may switch between them as usual. Since this still requires the eShop app to automatically restart, the user will have to log in again.

Downloads

Downloaded games, including ones that are still wrapped, remain on the Home screen if the user changes any combination of their system or eShop locales, or if they add a Nintendo Network ID, even if the locale(s) do not have that game available or if a locale cannot open the eShop.

If the user has a partially downloaded game or update (including one waiting on Sleep Mode that has not started yet), and then changes the system locale, the game will initially remain and can continue downloading, even if the new locale does not have that game available or cannot open the eShop, and even if the system is powered off and on in the new locale.

However, if the user opens the eShop and the eShop locale is changed, the partially downloaded game will disappear from the Home screen even if the new locale still has that game available. (This means that if the user has a Nintendo Network ID added, the game will disappear without warning when the eShop's login form appears. If the user does not have a Nintendo Network ID added, the game will not disappear if the eShop locale fails to change, either because the user rejects the language/currency/etc. change or because the new locale has a "currently not available" eShop.)

If the 3DS's locale and the eShop locale do not match, and the user does not have a Nintendo Network ID added, game updates cannot be downloaded from the Home screen. Attempting to download will throw Error Code 009-1003[note 2] and the footnote (displaying that an update is available) will not be dismissed.

If the 3DS and eShop locales do not match, but the user has added a Nintendo Network ID and the 3DS's locale matches the Nintendo Network ID's locale, then game updates can be successfully downloaded from the Home screen. The eShop locale will silently change to match only after the user logs in. The eShop locale will not change if the login fails, such as if the 3DS's locale and the Nintendo Network ID's locale do not match. If the user has a different partially downloaded game on the Home screen from the old eShop locale and the eShop locale silently changes in this way, the game will remain because the eShop app has not been opened yet. The different partially downloaded game can continue downloading even if it is not available in the now-changed eShop locale, or even if the whole eShop is not available in the now-changed locale.

Formatting

The eShop remembers the last locale used by a 3DS's serial number, even after formatting. For example, if the user visits the eShop with their locale set to Canada, then formats their 3DS, then sets their 3DS locale to the United States and visits the eShop again, the eShop will ask if the user wants to change their eShop locale from Canada to the United States and display the reminder about availability and currency.

In contrast, the eShop does not remember the last eShop language used by a 3DS's serial number after a format. Instead, when the eShop is first opened, the eShop language will be set to the current system language. If it is not compatible with the eShop's current locale, the eShop will display the prompt about unsupported languages as usual.

However, Nintendo Network IDs do keep track of eShop language after a format. For example, if the user adds a Nintendo Network ID whose locale is the United States, then sets their eShop language to Spanish, then formats, then sets their locale to Canada and their eShop language to English, then changes their locale back to the United States, then re-adds the Nintendo Network ID, and then logs into the eShop, the eShop language will automatically change from English to Spanish. As with all eShop language changes, this will cause the eShop app to automatically restart and require the user to log in a second time.

If the above scenario occurs but the Nintendo Network ID has never had an eShop language set, and the current eShop language is not compatible with the Nintendo Network ID's locale, then the eShop will prompt the user to select a compatible language before the restart. (This is the only way to both have a Nintendo Network ID and also see a language selection prompt upon opening the eShop.) The Nintendo Network ID's eShop language is separate from the language used on the login screen and when receiving (e.g.) forgot password emails to that Nintendo Network ID's email address, which use the system language.

System Transfers

Performing a System Transfer, in addition to requiring an internet connection, also has various locale-related requirements. If the 3DS has a Nintendo Network ID added, the user must have successfully logged into and opened the eShop using that Nintendo Network ID at least once. (This resets if the Nintendo Network ID is no longer added, such as through reformatting.) Finally, regardless of whether the 3DS has a Nintendo Network ID or not, the eShop's locale and the 3DS's locale must match. If these one or two requirements are not met, the System Transfer menu will display a message about the first unmet requirement and prompt the user to return to the Settings menu.

Other

The 3DS contains a separate swear word filter for each language and region combination (for example, there exist words that are blocked only in Canadian French and words that are blocked only in European French). However, the US English word filter also applies for all U region languages, and the UK English word filter also applies for all E region languages. (No additional word filter applies for J region, K region, and T region systems.) Any spaces in a word are removed before checking against the filter.

U region

U region systems are limited to four language options: French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

U region systems can be set to the following locales, exactly as spelled in the system. Groupings are unofficial.

  • North America: Canada, United States, Mexico, Bermuda
  • Central America: Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
  • Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Netherlands Antilles, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, US Virgin Islands
  • South America: Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela
  • Others: Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, U. A. E.

For U region systems, the 3DS eShop is only available in Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Brazil.[14]

The Canada 3DS eShop supports French and English, the United States 3DS eShop supports English and Spanish, the Mexico 3DS eShop also supports English and Spanish, and the Brazil 3DS eShop supports English and Portuguese.

Until July 31, 2020, the other listed locales in the Americas also had limited 3DS eShops where only download codes could be redeemed and game updates could be downloaded.[15]

The eShop app can be "opened" in an unsupported locale (including ones not in the Americas), but it will display a "currently not available"[note 3] message and prompt the user to exit the app. If the system does not have a Nintendo Network ID added, this will also fail to change the eShop's locale. If the user has added a Nintendo Network ID of a different locale (whether supported or unsupported), the error message about different locales will take priority over the unsupported locale message.

If the user is in an unsupported locale, they will still see game update footnotes even though the eShop is not available. If the eShop's locale and the 3DS's locale match, attempting to start the download will throw Error Code 026-3131.[note 4][16] If the user has a Nintendo Network ID added at this point, they will be "locked out" of game updates, since they can no longer change their locale without losing access to items inside the eShop. The user may temporarily get rid of the footnote by changing their locale (to anywhere and/or back to their original locale), then never accepting the EULA (for example, by never opening the eShop, Internet Browser, Friend List, or Nintendo Network ID Settings menu).

System Transfers are not possible from an unsupported locale. If the 3DS has a Nintendo Network ID added, the user can never meet the "successfully log into and open the eShop using that Nintendo Network ID" requirement (getting to the unsupported locale message fails to count) and the usual message will always appear. If the 3DS doesn't have a Nintendo Network ID added, then regardless of the eShop's current locale, the system will throw Error Code 028-3131.[note 5]

E region

E region systems may select among eight language options: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, and Russian.

E region systems can be set to the following locales, exactly as spelled in the system. Groupings are unofficial.

  • European Union (at the time): United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark (Kingdom of), Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
  • Europe non-EU: Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Albania, Andorra, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Liechtenstein, Macedonia (Republic of), Monaco, Montenegro, Russia, San Marino, Serbia and Kosovo, Turkey, Vatican City
  • UK territories: Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Jersey
  • Africa: Botswana, Chad, Djibouti, Eritrea, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe
  • Others: Australia, New Zealand, India

For E region systems, the 3DS eShop is only available in the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. Note that this does not include Iceland or the UK territories.

Turkey also has a limited 3DS eShop where download codes can be redeemed, and some (but not all) free updates and free apps can be downloaded.[17] For example, updates for Pokémon X and Y can be downloaded, but no other Pokémon games or demos. Nintendo Letter Box (aka Swapnote) can be downloaded. If the user attempts to download an update that is not listed on the Turkey 3DS eShop, the eShop will throw Error Code 011-3021[note 6] upon trying to display or download the eShop item. This also applies if the user downloads the update in an available locale, then deletes it and attempts to redownload with a locale of Turkey. If the user attempts to download the update from the Home screen without directly opening the eShop, for unknown reasons, the update will appear successful (with the progress bar partially filling and then suddenly jumping to the end) and display a success message, but nothing will be downloaded or updated and it will not appear under the Data Management menu. The game update footnote and associated prompt will still be present. For unknown reasons, balances in the Turkey 3DS eShop display with the zł symbol (Polish złoty) if the language is English, though it is impossible to add any balance. They display properly as TRY (Turkish lira) in other languages, which is only visible when changing locales out of Turkey and reading the message about different balances in the new locale's eShop language. System Transfers are possible as normal with a locale of Turkey.

The France 3DS eShop supports only French, the Italian 3DS eShop supports only Italian, the German 3DS eShop supports only German, the Spain 3DS eShop supports only Spanish, the Netherlands 3DS eShop supports only Dutch, and the Portugal 3DS eShop supports only Portuguese. The Austria 3DS eShop supports only German, the Belgium 3DS eShop supports Dutch and French, the Luxembourg 3DS eShop supports French and German, and the Switzerland 3DS eShop supports German, French, and Italian. All other E region 3DS eShops support only English.

The EULA cannot be accessed or accepted in an unsupported locale, and anything that would display it will instead display a "This service is not available in your region." message. As a consequence, the eShop app cannot be opened (attempting to will immediately display the previous message and the app will not try to open). This also applies to the Nintendo Network ID Settings, apps such as the Friend List, and the System Transfer option in the Settings menu. (Therefore, game updates also cannot be downloaded and the user will never see any game update footnotes.) Uniquely, the E region is the only region where accepting the EULA is not required to open the Internet Browser, allowing unsupported locales to still use it. Attempting to go online in a game in an unsupported locale will still throw the error code telling the user to accept the EULA, even though they cannot.

The 3DS eShop was previously available in Russia but was suspended in 2022. The eShop app will "open", then display a "currently not available"[note 7] message and prompt the user to exit.[18]

J region

J region systems automatically use a locale of Japan and are language-locked to Japanese. There is no setting to change either.

K region

K region systems automatically use a locale of South Korea and are language-locked to Korean. There is no setting to change either.

Nintendo Network IDs and Miiverse are not available (the items do not appear on the System Settings menu or the Home menu). Free apps and demos may be downloaded from the eShop even without a Nintendo Network ID.

Due to the inability to transfer 3DS eShop balance to a Nintendo Switch after the 3DS eShop's shutdown, users can request a refund by filling out an application on the Nintendo of Korea website between April 11, 2023 and July 28, 2023. The serial number of the K region 3DS and a bank account in South Korea are required.[19]

T region

T region systems are language-locked to Traditional Chinese, and can be set to a locale of either Taiwan or Hong Kong.[20]

The Hong Kong locale uses HKD (Hong Kong dollars) as its currency, but for unknown reasons, the Taiwan locale uses Nintendo Points as its currency. The term "Nintendo Points" is written in English even though the eShop language is Traditional Chinese. One Nintendo Point is equal to one TWD (New Taiwan dollar).[21][22][23]

Nintendo Network IDs and Miiverse are not available (the items do not appear on the System Settings menu or the Home menu). Free apps and demos may be downloaded from the eShop even without a Nintendo Network ID.

Under Internet Settings, the Nintendo DS Connections button is not available. However, under Other Settings -> Profile, the Nintendo DS Profile button is still available.

Under Data Management -> Nintendo 3DS, the Save Data Backup button is not available, even on the latest system update.

Due to the inability to transfer 3DS eShop balance to a Nintendo Switch after the 3DS eShop's shutdown, users in Taiwan only can request a refund by contacting customer support between April 6, 2023 and March 6, 2024. The serial number of the T region 3DS and a Taiwan bank account are required.[24][25] Refunds were not offered to users in Hong Kong.[26]

External links

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Notes

  1. ↑ "To use this feature, you must accept the terms of the Nintendo 3DS Service User Agreement." "Go to System Settings ⇒ Internet Settings ⇒ Other Information ⇒ User Agreement and agree to the terms."
  2. ↑ "The system's country setting and your Nintendo eShop country setting do not match." "Launch Nintendo eShop, confirm that the country setting has been updated, and then try again."
  3. ↑ "Nintendo eShop is currently not available in the country you have selected in System Settings." "Press [Home icon] to return to the HOME Menu."
  4. ↑ "You cannot use downloadable content or passes with your current region settings."
  5. ↑ "The transfer service is not available in your region of residence."
  6. ↑ "Software currently unavailable."
  7. ↑ "Nintendo eShop is currently not available in the region you have selected in the System Settings." "Press [Home icon] to return to the HOME Menu."

References

  1. ↑ Top Selling Software Sales Units. Nintendo. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  2. ↑ New Nintendo 3DS (regular size), OG Nintendo 3DS discontinued in Japan. Perfectly Nintendo (July 13, 2017). Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  3. ↑ Dedicated Video Game Sales Units. Nintendo. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Consolidated Results for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2017 and 2018. Nintendo (January 31, 2019). Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  5. ↑ Repairing Your Nintendo 3DS Family System. Nintendo Support. Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  6. ↑ Nintendo no longer repairing original 3DS systems. GoNintendo (April 29, 2017). Retrieved April 29, 2017.
  7. ↑ Official Japanese website for the 3DS
  8. ↑ Nintendo.com. 2011. "Nintendo 3DS - Built in Software and Applications". Accessed August 9th, 2011. Nintendo 3DS - Built in Software and Applications.
  9. ↑ Nintendo life. 2011. "Current Nintendo Points will be Useless on the 3DS". Accessed August 9th, 2011. Current Nintendo Points will be Useless on the 3DS.
  10. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230410154457/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847/
  11. ↑ https://twitter.com/nintendo_cs/status/1640642079884992513
  12. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20240126025915/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/61150
  13. ↑ Nintendo.com. 2014. "Nintendo 3DS - System Menu Update History". Accessed October 29th, 2014. Nintendo 3DS - System Menu Update History.
  14. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230312042219/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1286/
  15. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230312042539/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/48972/
  16. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230319004439/https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/50031
  17. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230312074919/https://www.nintendo.co.za/Support/Nintendo-3DS-2DS/Usage/Nintendo-eShop/In-which-countries-is-Nintendo-eShop-available-for-Nintendo-3DS-/In-which-countries-is-Nintendo-eShop-available-for-Nintendo-3DS-693500.html
  18. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230312074909/https://www.nintendo.co.za/Support/Nintendo-Switch/Nintendo-eShop-and-Theme-Shop-Availability-In-Our-Region-1379026.html
  19. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230413054915/https://www.nintendo.co.kr/news/view.php?no=ZnZ1VDA4dm9sL2xWMTk2VEFSNTQrZz09
  20. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20220701223438/https://www.nintendo.tw/3ds/CTR_manual.pdf
  21. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66SewN16ruQ
  22. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230324042609/https://www.nintendo.com.hk/pressrelease/3ds_pokemonbank.html
  23. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230324043003/https://www.nintendo.tw/pressrelease/3ds_pokemonbank.html
  24. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230413060226/https://www.nintendo.tw/support/information/2022/0216.html
  25. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230413055903/https://www.nintendo.tw/support/information/2023/0216.html
  26. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230413055924/https://www.nintendo.com.hk/support/information/2022/0216.html
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