Want to buy and download full games on your Nintendo 3DS/3DS XL directly to the device, without the need for a cartridge?
Nintendo is starting to roll this feature out, and more and more games will be able to be bought in this way, simply by using the Nintendo eShop.
This all starts on August 17th with the release of New Super Mario Bros. 2.
You will be able to download the game to play straight away using an internet connection fast enough, meaning no trip to the shops if you do not want.
Whether they will have problems to begin with is yet to be seen, as I expect a lot of demand come release time.
Other games that will be brought to the service on the 17th include New Art Academy: Learn New Painting Techniques and Share Your Art, and Freakyforms Deluxe Your Creations, Alive!.
The games will be saved directly on a SD card for storage, so no more cartridges if you don’t want them.
As an incentive to use this service, Nintendo will offer you double the stars you would get when buying a title from the shelf.
To gain these stars, you must first access the Club Nintendo Account, link your 3DS/3DS XL, and complete the survey.
These stars act as points and can be used to buy all kinds of merchandise from the Nintendo shop.
To find out more, and how to link your 3DS/3DS XL up, visit Nintendo 3DS Support
You can of course go to the shops to pick up the games. Nintendo are by no means scrapping physical sales by offering a download. They are just offering an alternative that may swing gamers to pick up new games this way instead of the traditional method.
It makes sense really, and is just an extension of what the Nintendo eShop already offers.
Visit the Nintendo eShop for more information and the games on offer to download.
