3DS Features Software Install
Nikkei reports on surprise feature for Nintendo's upcoming system.
Posted Jun 17, 2010 at 16:36, By Anoop Gantayat
Nintendo has packed 3DS with so many features that it's not even promoting some of the major ones. Today's Nikkei detailed one such silent feature: software install.
According to the paper, gamers will be able copy 3DS software to internal memory. Multiple games can be stored with the system in this fashion. You'll be able to switch between games by selecting a title from the system's main menu.
The paper notes that due to this feature, there'll be no need to swap cartridges. When outside of the home, you won't need to carry game cartridges with you.
Nikkei is a financial paper, so it obviously didn't get into the specifics on how this installation system will work. We'll have to wait for Nintendo to provide clarification.
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Reader Comments (showing 9 of 9)
ffdgh @ 2010.06.17, 18:16
friggin awesome!
victorprime @ 2010.06.17, 19:27
nice
lech @ 2010.06.18, 0:18
Was this a major fault of older DS systems? I thought software install was only an advantage on slow, optical disc based devices.
GohanGVO @ 2010.06.18, 2:14
@lech
Presumably, it's more of a way to take advantage of one of the positives of carts like the R4: the ability to store multiple games in the name of convenience.
Indirectly, it may also give a hint as to how much on-board memory the 3DS will come with. Having, say, 15 games installed at 256 MB a piece would equate to 4GB of storage. AND it'll be expandable via the SD card (which, hopefully, can use SDHC cards) which would be very cost effective.
lech @ 2010.06.18, 4:41
That's what I'm assuming as well, Gohan. But I have to wonder, who needs 14 games in their pocket? The biggest draw of an R4 cart is free games, storing multiple games on a single cart is an added bonus, thanks to cheap, large capacity flash ROMs. It's looking to me like Nintendo is throwing everything, including the kitchen sink into this device. I'm kind of surprised to see that, since they made a concentrated effort to not play the oneupmanship game that the rest of the industry is stuck in with the Wii and DS.
GohanGVO @ 2010.06.18, 7:03
@lech
If the 3DS will turn a profit from day one while still featuring all of these enhancements, then that will just reaffirm that it's costs rather than ideas that puts a damper on Nintendo's hardware. If the 3DS is NOT making money per unit sold, then that speaks to a significant change in Nintendo's philosophies (and it may even signal that the successor to the Wii will be far more enhanced than folks believe).
As for needing a ton of content in one's pocket, I think it just boils down to choice and ease of use. Imagine being able to switch between rounds of Tetris, Mario Kart and Street Fighter without having to carry stamp-sized cartridges around. And unlike the PSPgo, this method would allow for both digital and retail releases of games.
60Hz @ 2010.06.18, 8:07
@GohanGVO I find it highly unlikely that they would change their HW practices as it's been a runaway success for generations now... the 3DS i'm sure is following the trend of making money per unit sold. All in all Nintendo is quite dangerous. This E3 belongs to them.
Also this software install lends itself to digital distribution even more now. No more going to the store to find out your favorite obscure title has been sold out because they only bought 2, but you can pre-order GTA/Madden/Halo/Ad naseum.
GohanGVO @ 2010.06.18, 9:31
@60Hz
For what it's worth, I agree with you. Nintendo tends to take very calculated risks, and I think the 3DS is yet another one of those. I was merely speculating as to how the company may be throwing everything and the kitchen sink into the new hardware.
lech @ 2010.06.18, 23:19
I wonder how all these bells and whistles will effect the device's popularity. I thought that the simplicity and ease of use of the DS and Wii helped the devices find a wide fan base. How will these people react to a new gadget with analog nubs, 3D sliders, game installs, online, etc.