by Richard George

Nintendo's next major 3DS update, which adds new StreetPass games, system-to-system transfers, and the ability to record 3D video, is available for download.

I'm in the midst of downloading it right now, but if your system is connected to a wireless network, you should be able to download it yourself.

Impressions and amazing cell phone photos are in progress.


The Camera
The big change coming with the 3DS firmware update is the ability to shoot video with the system, which can be viewed in 3D. These new options are located within the 3DS's existing camera application - the filming option is located towards the upper right corner of the touch screen.


Four major modes are available. A standard mode allows you to record footage with sound, which can then be adjusted in terms of video and audio playback speed. The other three modes - Interval, Stop Motion and Montage - allow more "unusual" clips to be filmed, but none of them will feature sound.



Interval takes still shots at set times (0.5, 2, 5, 15 and 60 seconds). Stop Motion is a similar idea, but the power to actually take the still shot is left entirely up to you. Montage allows you to start filming a segment, pause recording, and then resume when you have a new subject or setting ready to film, allowing each segment to be filmed directly next to the other. Standard clips are unable to be paused, only stopped.

Ambassador Program & The eShop
Don't get your hopes up on new information about the GBA games. So far from what I've seen, there's no indication of their availability in the update. Oh, Ambassador Certificate, how you tease me so!

The eShop was accessible initially, but now appears to be down again. Will it update with a new design and my free GBA games? That'd be nice - but no sign yet.

Nintendo Zone
This app will require you to "sign" a new TOS for the update, but basically allows you to "receive unique content at participating locations." That includes advertising and promotions. Yay?

The good news is that you are allowed to opt-out immediately from notifications and data that would be transimitted through SpotPass.


More details are available within the app. Nintendo breaks this down as follows:

1) Access Special Content & Offers - Watch 3D videos, explore games, access special offers & promotions, and more!

2) Preview Nintendo 3DS Games - View Nintendo 3DS screenshots, watch 3D videos, download demos, and more!


3) Get Connected - Access Nintendo eShop, play compatible Nintendo 3DS games online, browse the Internet and get surprise SpotPass Content!

Nintendo claims this service will be available at "thousands of public locations."

StreetPass: Mii Plaza
Are you ready for new puzzles and hats??

One of the most addictive built-in features of the Nintendo 3DS has received some upgrades. Four new modes have been added: Music Player, Accomplishments, Slide Show and StreetPass Map. Additionally, new panels have been added to the Puzzle Swap game and a sequel to Find Mii, called Find Mii II, are available. The Mii Plaza now will now allow 3DS owners to use SpotPass functionality to acquire updates.


Accomplishments are just what they sound like. This lists the things you've achieved in Mii Plaza, and it gives you tasks for more things to achieve. For example, the mode will ask you to StreetPass with a "special Mii" or collect 100 StreetPass tags in one day. Currently there are 78 accomplishments listed.

Music Player allows you to unlock and listen to all the music from the StreetPass Mii Plaza.

StreetPass Map is a map that changes color as you meet people from different regions, including different states in the United States as well as country.

Slide Show lets you look at and quickly flip through all the panels you've completed in Puzzle Swap.

Find Mii II
Find Mii II now tasks you with saving yourself and your two children. While you're still able to hire wandering heroes with your Play Coins, you can now re-hire prior allies, which will make your quest a bit easier on some levels.


Your heroes will now be able to execute combo attacks as well as acquire potions with Play Coins. Combo attacks are formed if you StreetPass with two people wearing the same color shirt. If you do this, the two heroes will combine their levels for more powerful attacks and magic. (Basically they attack at the same time for more damage.)


The maps will also now feature forks in the paths, forcing you to choose different routes to take on your quest. Looks like you'll be playing through the game a few times to get all of your hats! Also, enemies can now heal each other and form mirages, potentially making you miss an attack if you choose a target poorly.

There are 57 new hats. Previously 16 were available.

Puzzle Swap
Puzzle Swap is now becoming more complex. The pieces will be smaller (i.e. a 6x4 grid versus the previous 5x3 grid - the grids are variable), and some pieces will be pink, indicating you can't buy them using your Play Coins. According to Nintendo, "these panels will be even more of a challenge than the originals."


The first puzzle piece I have is from Donkey Kong Country Returns. Others include Super Mario 3D Land, Rhythm Heaven, Ocarina of Time 3D, Star Fox 64 3D, Pilotwings Resort and Mario Kart 7.

System Transfers
This is taking a bit of time (lots of software!), but the same stuff applies - Pikmin carry your files from one system to the next.

Your eShop wallet funds will transfer from your old system and merge with whatever you have on the new system.

The placement of applications, Find Mii hats, Mii Plaza population, puzzle pieces and DSiWare saves all transfer perfectly. The Pokedex 3D and its data migrates.

Good news for 3DS ambassadors too - all of your NES games as well as the certificate, which signifies your status and eligibility for the free GBA games, transfers over.


Rich is an Executive Editor of IGN.com and the leader of the IGN Nintendo team. Follow IGN on Twitter, and keep track of Rich's ridiculous adventures through MyIGN and Twitter. Keep it cool, Koopalings.

Share This Article
Recommended Videos and More