A report surfaced this week at Wired that claimed both the 3DS eShop and the handheld’s internet browser would not make it out at launch, and instead be added in a later firmware update. However, today Nintendo of Europe have issued a statement confirming that those features will indeed be available when the console debuts, as well as detailing what to expect on the eShop on day one.
Whilst the features will not come on the console out of the box, they will be included in a launch day update in Europe, a Nintendo representative has confirmed to Eurogamer. However, it’s unclear what the situation is for North America, where Wired were told at the New York event about the delay for networked services, and a spokesperson for Nintendo America gave the following non-commital response: “Games and services offered by Nintendo can vary by region. Nintendo of America will release additional information about Nintendo eShop, including timing, content and pricing, at a later date.”
The eShop will feature downloadable titles specific to the new console under the ‘3DS Ware’ brand, as well as those previously released for the DSi. Games from the GameBoy brand’s past will also be made available, although whilst the 3DS’s original announcement included mention of “Classics in 3D”, that feature has disappeared from recent statements. Demos and trailers will also make their way onto the service.
The 3DS launches here in Europe on 25th March for just over £200, in Cosmos Black and Aqua Blue.
matthangzhou
Actually if you preorder now from shopto they are offering the console at £199.95 and the games for £30 which seems be the best deal around at the mo…
colmshan1990
Seems like it’s being rushed out…
Why didn’t they give themselves a few more weeks?
dude90
It is Nintendo after all , don’t expect other rumoured stuff soon either.
dude90
another*
solidsteven
It might be because they heard that the PSP2 is being annouced soon and they want to get a massive head start.
colmshan1990
If PSP2 comes out this year, it won’t be until Q4.
Why can’t 3DS come out April or May?
Jaffa-the-Cake
They want to release before the end of March because the sales will increase their profits for the end of the financial year which is the end of march. Its the same thing Sony did by releasing Killzone 2 just before the end of the financial year to boost their sales figures.
Foxhound_Solid
Coolio