The Spam Thread!

[RAMChYLD]

Now, I need to get AC:New Leaf sometime.

Just get it from the eShop. Nintendo has a new policy that every 3DS game released on cartridge will be simultaneously released on the eShop.

For my 3DS tho, the AC:NL came "preinstalled"- meaning that Nintendo pretty much downloaded the game onto a SD card and put said SD card into my 3DS before selling it to me. Since that I've now been spoiled by the likes of Sony, Apple and Google, I don't want individual cartridges anymore, which kinda makes me upset because Nintendo has not launched the eShop in Malaysia even to this date and I not only have to buy gift cards online at a premium, but also had to convince Isabelle here that I'm in the US in order to have the eShop load.

---

Bought Harvest Moon 3D: A New Leaf. And found that it is nothing like the Harvest Moon I know. Feeling confused by the vast amount of changes this game has compared to the last Harvest Moon game I played. In fact, it felt much more restrictive...

[cpd2009]

Just get it from the eShop. Nintendo has a new policy that every 3DS game released on cartridge will be simultaneously released on the eShop.

For my 3DS tho, the AC:NL came "preinstalled"- meaning that Nintendo pretty much downloaded the game onto a SD card and put said SD card into my 3DS before selling it to me. Since that I've now been spoiled by the likes of Sony, Apple and Google, I don't want individual cartridges anymore, which kinda makes me upset because Nintendo has not launched the eShop in Malaysia even to this date and I not only have to buy gift cards online at a premium, but also had to convince Isabelle here that I'm in the US in order to have the eShop load.

IMO, it's a bad idea just to rely on digital downloads of games that are simultaneously released on a physical medium. It's better to get the big name releases on a game card rather than digital because of things like Nintendo not launching the eShop in Malaysia (and having to use a workaround you described), or the fact that the digital copies of the games may not last forever. You also actually own physical copies of the games too. By downloading them from an online store, you are essentially "renting" them until the time comes when said games no longer function because of worn out flash memory, contractual issues with the game publisher, or when the console maker ceases support for the platform you purchased your digital game for. I know that if you have to get a new SD card, Nintendo allows you to re-download the same game title you purchased without cost, but who knows if that will be affected by contractual disputes or eventual EOL of the device?

Obviously you can't get many casual Android or iOS games on a physical medium, and if the time comes where I have to buy a digital-only game because it's interesting, I will. But I won't get it if it costs as much as a retail game. The best digital-only games to get are the low cost casual games like Angry Birds because if you somehow lose your game, you don't have to spend an arm-and-a-leg to get it again. And even then, you can re-download your Google Play purchase without charge, but I already ran into an issue where I previously paid for the ad-free upgrade to Angry Birds, and when I went to play it again, the ads returned, as if I didn't pay for the ad-free upgrade at all!

I still think physical media like DVDs, game cards, and BluRays will have a place in the world for people who want to actually own their media that they buy. Though I do like the idea of Google Play and online app stores, they have to guarantee that you actually own your purchases and they are protected from future mishaps like the inevitable contractual dispute. Apple does have the ability to remotely disable and uninstall apps that users have purchased, and that is kind of scary.

[RAMChYLD]

IMO, it's a bad idea just to rely on digital downloads of games that are simultaneously released on a physical medium. It's better to get the big name releases on a game card rather than digital because of things like Nintendo not launching the eShop in Malaysia (and having to use a workaround you described), or the fact that the digital copies of the games may not last forever. You also actually own physical copies of the games too. By downloading them from an online store, you are essentially "renting" them until the time comes when said games no longer function because of worn out flash memory, contractual issues with the game publisher, or when the console maker ceases support for the platform you purchased your digital game for. I know that if you have to get a new SD card, Nintendo allows you to re-download the same game title you purchased without cost, but who knows if that will be affected by contractual disputes or eventual EOL of the device?

Hmmm... I'm under assumption that the 3DS downloaded games will be licensed pretty much the same way as Wii ones- it's yours to keep until Nintendo blacklists it on the 3DS' internal memory, which will block both cartridge and downloaded versions? Yes, they can block cartridges as well- Nintendo admits that it's being done through a whitelist and only games they approve of will load (apparently this is how they block out-of-region games and devices like the R4). Anyways tho, the problem with cartridges is that they're easy to lose. Plus they're as bulky as two CD cases unless I buy a cartridge pouch (which is not cheap over here, even those Wu-brand ones).

PS: Nintendo provides a way to backup your SD cards- you could just copy the card's contents blindly from one SD card to another (just taking care to make sure that the new card has enough space for everything that was on the old card)- which means that just zipping up the entire SD card into one big zip file should also work if you need to back up the card (or better yet, taking an image of the card using dd, Clonezilla or Norton Ghost). Yeah, the game will be locked with the 3DS it was downloaded on so simply popping the new card into another 3DS won't work. Apparently the 3DS will read a license data file that exists in the game directory and refuse to load the game if the license doesn't match.

[cpd2009]

I decided to name my 3DS "Clifford". I was wanting the Aqua Blue one (which looks closer to Cyan) but ShopKo didn't have it, only Cosmos Black and Flame Red. My 3DS being Flame Red, it was fitting to name it "Clifford".

After I get through my two Mario games, I plan on saving up for AC: New Leaf and to get a decent sized balance to download some VC titles. However, I was hoping that AC: New Leaf would allow you to transfer your AC:CF town and data, but it appears that you can't. Shame really, because I have only been playing AC:CF for about half a year. Then again.. I did get it very late in the Wii's life....

As for the 3D visuals. I have been testing the 3D on and off, and I found a comfortable 3D level I can live with. Turn the slider all the way up and the 3D is far too strong. I only have 3D about two quarters of a way up the scale. The main question now is how long can I go playing in 3D before my eyes get tired or if I get motion sickness or something?

I have to admit though... the 3D is stunning to look at, especially if you have never seen glasses-free 3D before.

David, how long can you handle the 3D images before you have to turn 3D off?

[RAMChYLD]

After I get through my two Mario games, I plan on saving up for AC: New Leaf and to get a decent sized balance to download some VC titles. However, I was hoping that AC: New Leaf would allow you to transfer your AC:CF town and data, but it appears that you can't. Shame really, because I have only been playing AC:CF for about half a year.

Yeah, that's something that I needed to face too. My catalog has to be redone from scratch due to that. And as such it'll take me time to get back to where I was. I had the complete Nursery Set and only one item missing from my Kiddie Set in City Folk. But now I have to slowly rebuild my sets- although Angel did help a lot- she helped me with roughly a third of the Nursery Set stuff and roughly two other Kiddie items that I otherwise did not have. However both sets are far from complete, for sure.

David, how long can you handle the 3D images before you have to turn 3D off?

Well, actually I never turn 3D off. I usually start off strongest at the start of the day and then slowly turn it down as my eyes get tired- by the end of the day, the 3D will be at the lowest settings (which in AC:NL, manifests itself as 2D images with any dialog boxes appearing to float about 2/10th of an inch above the image).

Btw, my 3DS code: 5472-7059-7708

I'll let Angel post her's herself, just in case.

Post back your code if you add me tho.

[cpd2009]

Okay David... I added your Friend Code to my list. Now here is mine...

cpd2005
0361-7007-3986

[RAMChYLD]

Okay David... I added your Friend Code to my list. Now here is mine...

cpd2005
0361-7007-3986

Done. I'll ask Angel to see if it's okay for me to pass her friend code on to you once she's online.

---

Btw, in case you're wondering what the heck my status message means:


---
Also,


Look at all my Strawberries!

---
Btw, don't take my advice to buy the game via the eShop seriously. In the end it's each for his own. After all, when you'll pay the same amount either way- it's down to whether you prefer being able to hold the game's cartridge or if you value convenience.

[cpd2009]

Also,


Look at all my Strawberries!

The only game card stored in my Software Library log is New SMB. I still have a long way to go because I never owned a DS, or even a GBA before Clifford. I was wanting a DSLite so I could play GBA games. Then the 3DS came along... but I digress.

Would your recommend the Franklin, Holly Hobbie, MLP G3, and the SSC games?

It's neat that the 3DS is backward compatible with nearly all DS and DSi games, but I found an interesting bit in the manual regarding them. It says that you have to have the wifi on before starting a DS/DSi game, but after it starts you can turn it off. However, I found out in practice that isn't necessary. I was able to start New SMB without wifi on. Maybe a system update fixed this?

Btw, don't take my advice to buy the game via the eShop seriously. In the end it's each for his own. After all, when you'll pay the same amount either way- it's down to whether you prefer being able to hold the game's cartridge or if you value convenience.

About that... when it asked for my favorite title, it didn't list the game card I had inserted, New SMB. The only ones I could choose were the built in titles. I haven't played "AR Games" yet, nor "Face Raiders", and other ones like "Health and Safety Information" or "System Settings" would just be weird to have listed as a favorite title, so I just selected the eShop for now. It will change once I get some VC titles downloaded from the eShop.
EDIT: Found out there is a "Don't have one" option, so I just picked that.

Speaking of Health and Safety... looks like Nintendo finally figured out some people got annoyed by having to stare at the "Health and Safety" warning every time you started up the Wii or DS. No such startup warning is present in the 3DS, nor the Wii U to my knowledge.

[RAMChYLD]

... And my reply got fudged up by the antispam system again >.<

Would your recommend the Franklin, Holly Hobbie, MLP G3, and the SSC games?

Well, since you're a brony, I suggest staying out of MLP G3. It's not for bronies, only slice-of-life fans like me.

As for the rest, well, it depends on whether you like minigames and puzzle-platformers.

About that... when it asked for my favorite title, it didn't list the game card I had inserted, New SMB.

I believe it will only list 3DS games. So you may want to insert New SMB2 into the slot and see if that shows up.

Speaking of Health and Safety... looks like Nintendo finally figured out some people got annoyed by having to stare at the "Health and Safety" warning every time you started up the Wii or DS. No such startup warning is present in the 3DS, nor the Wii U to my knowledge.

It's still there as a separate program tho. And well, no, the DS does not display a health and safety warning on power-up. Only when you launch a DS game does it display the warning. Not sure about the DSI tho.

[cpd2009]

Another 3DS question... would it be advisable to buy an extended battery pack? The 3DS battery life is rather infamous for being short, but I have been able to extend it to about six or seven hours by turning the brightness down, turning 3D off, and turning Wifi off when playing games New SMB.

I know Nyko makes extended battery packs that just clip on to your console and enhances battery life about 3x according to their website. But, I'm not sure these are officially licensed products, and since my 3DS is still brand new, I don't want to get one right away just in case using these will void the warranty.


Also, what other accessories would you recommend for the 3DS? I already need to get a carrying case and perhaps a lanyard.