In just almost 2 months away, the Nintendo 3DS will be releasing digital retail on the Nintendo eShop starting with New Super Mario Bros. 2. Therefore, we staff here at Wiiwarewave will discussed whether if it's a good idea of downloading digital retails from the Nintendo 3DS, even with the help from Nintendo Network.



SkywardL


While the announcement from Nintendo that majority of their published 3DS games downloadable was a complete unexpected, what's really surprising is that this was vaguely foretold. There was a possible hint of digital retail downloads throughout the last few months on the Nintento eShop. The third version of the Nintendo 3DS system update was release on December of last year, and ever since then there has been a disclaimer, in serious red font color, underneath in every retail info from the retail section on the Nintendo eShop. Before the announcement of Nintendo’s plans to bring digital retail as an optional choice, I assumed that the disclaimer was clarifying that they’re retail games, to not be confusing them as downloadable games. Once August kicks in along with New Super Mario Bros 2 launch, the disclaimer will transform into an entirely different meaning; heading to the Nintendo eShop and discovering Available Now in Nintendo eShop underneath the latest 3DS Mario title, sliding through the rest of the selectable retail pamphlets to find out if the rest are still label as Unavailable.

However that theory quickly went away when thinking about the Nintendo 3DS itself. The 3DS technical weakness, its battery life, is where disbelieving of downloading digital retails titles onto my 3DS strongly avoids as a preferable method. While I don’t doubt that the Wii U is highly capable of the substantial deliberate process with the sincere advice from Satoru Iwata of downloading overnight, however, taking that same advice involving the 3DS sounds uncomfortable for the hardware and especially the charging cradle. Who knows, maybe I’m underestimate the system and acting as a worry 3DS owner.

Besides, I recently invested my Club Nintendo coins on a Nintendo 3DS Game Card Case. I don't want to start having my future retail games be digital while my 3DS Game Case is not even half full yet.

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Brian


I really don't see the point in a digital only future besides destroying the second hand video game retailers, which wouldn't really help Nintendo earn more money since second hand gamers won't pay retail price for games. The thing that worries me is the price, as Nintendo has shown that they refuse to have sales or discounts on their download services and the price maybe too expensive for those whom can't afford retail games at retail price.

The other issue as SkywardL already mentioned is the terrible 3DS battery life and the possibility of damaging the 3DS while trying to download a retail game overnight whilst the 3DS sits in its charging dock.

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Sneaker


I sure like digital distribution, but the price need to be lower before I even consider it. I don't mind paying something more for a game in a box with a cool cover and a paper manual. But if the price is right, why not?

For those who own a 3DS, will you eventually be switching to digital retail? Leave your welcoming thoughts at the comment section below.