So, it’s finally time to view Nintendo’s E3 Conference. Make sure to head over to the E3 Page Now!

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to see the show live as I have a College interview at 5pm, I will, however, watch the recording and I should have some updates posted by the day’s end.

Enjoy
Leon

The new update that brings the web browser, eShop and SpotPass update is now available to download.

To download the update, go to System Settings, Other Settings, Page 4 then System Update. Follow the on-screen instructions and the update should begin to download. To ensure you do not encounter any problems, make sure that the 3DS is downloading an update where the Internet connection is strong and make sure to plug it into the charger while updating.

Enjoy
Leon

Have you been to the Official Nintendo Magazine’s website recently? If not, they’re running a competition where you could win one of seventeen copies of The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D.

Now, you’re probably asking why they’re only giving away 17 copies. Well, that can all be explained after the break.

They originally started the competition on the 1st June 2011 however, they’re running it until the release of Ocarina of Time 3D on the 17th June 2011. Very day offers a new copy where you will have to answer an Ocarina of Time related question. The winner is chosen at random the next day and they will announce the winner on the website.

PLEASE NOTE – THESE COPIES ARE ONLY COMPATIBLE WITH EUROPEAN PAL 3DS SYSTEMS!

So, what are you waiting for, go and enter for your chance to win!

Cheers
Leon

It seems that all US Nintendogs+Cats owners can look forward to receiving a brand new puppy through the wonders of SpotPass, not too shabby.

View the Tweet from NOA after the break

Follow @N3DSPortal@N3DSPortal
Leon Fletcher

“@NintendoAmerica: A new #nintendogs presidential puppy is available via SpotPass. He’s a gift you never have to give back. #3DS”

June 4, 2011 7:12 pm via Twitter for iPadReplyRetweetFavorite

There’s no word for the European owners of Nintendog+Cats but I’m sure they’ll have something up their sleeves

Cheers
Leon

Source – Nintendo of America’s Twitter Page

It has been announced that over 25,000 WiFi Hotspots can be connected to with SpotPass on the Nintendo 3DS in the US. That means that when you pass a selected Best Buy, Starbucks, or any other shop with a compatible WiFi Hotspot, your 3DS will automatically look for any online content to download such as updates, trailers etc.

Over 25,000 will be compatible with your 3DS in America!

As of yet, we do not know what kind of filters for the content your 3DS will download, but we do know a rough idea on what sort of places these Hotspots will be.

Find out after the break

It was announced that 200 of these Hotspots will be situated in Simon Malls, 1000 will be situated in Best Buy Stores and 24,000 can be used with AT&T hotspots.

What about Europe? Well, nothing has really been said about the Europe except there will be Hotspots however, I recon it will have the same sort of effect. We have started to get Best Buy Stores in the UK, so there will probably be Hotspots there, and our major Internet and Phone company is BT, so the BT Openzone hotspots at Starbucks, Airports and other places will probably be able to be used with the 3DS.

So, I guess if we want more info on the situation, we’ll have to wait until Monday and Tuesday for the big update!

Ciao
Leon

Source – 3DS Buzz – Article

I am happy to announce that Nintendo 3DS Portal has joined the social craze of today, Twitter. You can see the latest tweets on the sidebar, or you can come to our page and FOLLOW US!

Come and follow us for daily 3DS News!

Cheers
Leon

The weather is getting warmer, the beaches are getting crowded, wildlife is starting to get active, these are all signs telling us that Summer is finally here. I can’t believe it was nearly a year a go when the Nintendo 3DS was first announced at E3. It seems like yesterday when I started to bug Gamestation nearly every day about new news about it, nice guys by the way. Well, it’s nearly time for E3, and there’s a bunch of 3DS games coming out within the next couple of months.

Look at the full listing after the break!

Sports Island 3D – 9th June 2011

Konami and Hudson’s Sports Island series moves from Wii to Nintendo 3DS with the release of Sports Island 3D – allowing players to enjoy a variety of events on the go in glasses-free, stereoscopic 3D.

With a roster of 10 different sports, this title delivers fun and games to players who enjoy serious disciplines, as well as to those who like their activities a little more wild and wacky. You can choose from football, basketball, tennis, ice hockey, sumo wrestling, bowling, trampolining, snowmobile racing, snowball fighting and blowgun archery!

With such a range of sports on offer, it’s no surprise that each one has its own specific control scheme to master. Blowgun archery uses the Nintendo 3DS gyro sensor, allowing you to control your aim by tilting the system. Once you’ve found your mark, blow into the microphone to set your shot loose and see just how accurate you were. On the other hand, throwing brilliant shapes on the trampoline will see you using the Circle Pad, buttons and your own sense of expert timing only!

Those who get a kick from showing off their mad sporting skills are sure to be pleased with the ‘Super Play’ feature, which allows players who can skilfully ace a succession of moves to unleash a stunning special manoeuvre – and maybe turn the tide of an entire match!

Sports Island 3D has various Single Player modes to challenge you, including Open Match, Random Match, Championship and Tournament – you can create your own team, who will earn experience, unlocking new moves and upgrades as you play! On top of all this, the game supports both Local Play and Download Play for up to four players – so up to three mates can have a blast with just one Game Card.

Sudoku – The Puzzle Game Collection – 9th June 2011

Discover a popular puzzle game in a new light as Sudoku gets a new lease of life on Nintendo 3DS.

Sudoku – The Puzzle Game Collection brings 600 puzzles to the palm of your hand, with Sudoku featuring alongside other Japanese logic games Shikaku, Hashi and Akari. Each game brings its own unique challenges, which will be tougher or more manageable depending on which of the three difficulty modes you opt for. And if you’re not familiar with some of the puzzle games on offer, you can get started with helpful tutorials that should help you think outside the box.

On top of the classic challenge presented by Sudoku, Shikaku will see you dividing a numbered grid into squares and rectangles as you attempt to contain numbers within a single box – a box which has as many sides as the number it houses. In Hashi, you’ll try to connect numbered islands with bridges, following a series of stipulations that will test your puzzle-solving skills to the limit! Finally, in Akari, your job is to position light bulbs in the correct order to make them switch on. As you progress through all 600 challenges on offer, you’ll be rewarded with medals for quick completion and your records will be stored to motivate you towards improving.

Sudoku – The Puzzle Game Collection also uses the Play Coins feature of the Nintendo 3DS system. By walking around with your Nintendo 3DS in Sleep Mode you can earn up to 10 Play Coins each day, up to a maximum of 300. In Sudoku – The Puzzle Game Collection, the Play Coins you’ve earned can be spent in the game to unlock hints for the puzzles you’re really stuck on.

Adding to the overall experience, the power of Nintendo 3DS gives each game mode a unique visual appeal. Expect to see the bridges you complete in Hashi and the boxes you form in Shikaku come to life before your eyes – making every puzzle you conquer an even more satisfying experience! The game also uses the motion sensing power of Nintendo 3DS. Simply tilt the system and you’ll see an overview of the puzzle you’re working on displayed on the 3D Screen. Make a noise into the Nintendo 3DS microphone and the image will revert back to a picture of the crown you could win for successfully cracking the puzzle.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D – 17th June 2011

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is a must-have single player Action-Adventure game for the Nintendo 3DS. A reimagining of the original Nintendo 64 classic, the game features the full original game graphically overhauled in the glasses-free 3D made possible by the Nintendo 3DS. Along with this, the game includes all-new new challenges unique to this release, including a master quest, a new Boss Challenge mode that allows for flexibility in how you face bosses and in-game video segments.

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D brings a completely re-mastered version of an epic entry in the beloved The Legend of Zelda game series to Nintendo’s newest handheld system, Nintendo 3DS. The game couples phenomenally enhanced graphics with stunning, glasses-free 3D visuals to bring to life the daring adventures of its hero, Link.

A streamlined touch-screen interface and newly implemented motion controls provide a fresh and intuitive feel as players immerse themselves in the tale of the creation of Hyrule and the struggle for control of its all-powerful ancient relic. The game will also feature new challenges not included in the original game. The Legend of Zelda veterans can look forward to the Master Quest – a second quest with revamped puzzles and redesigned dungeons that feature the same graphical and interface upgrades as the main game. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D is a masterful improvement on one of the landmark releases in video game history.

Driver Renegade 3D – 24th June 2011 (ETA)

After years of undercover work on the Force, John Tanner decides to take matters of crime and punishment into his own hands, regardless of what the Law dictates. In a corrupt New York City run by criminal mobs, Tanner saves Senator Ballard’s life: he needs help in leading a crusade against crime and Tanner instantly accepts the offer to clean the city – off the record – with the Senator’s protection.

Tanner becomes a renegade and must take out five kingpins of crime and corruption… Helped by his few friends and with no badge to hold him back, Tanner wages a war against crime with his weapon of choice: his car!

Driver Renegade 3D is the first exclusive action driving game on Nintendo 3DS that lets you experience the intensity and brutality of urban car chases in 3D. Drive recklessly, perform jumps to fill your Rage bar and unleash devastating takedowns on enemy cars!

Dream Trigger 3D – 1st July 2011

Immerse yourself in a world exploding with colour as Dream Trigger 3D brings non-stop shoot ‘em up action to Nintendo 3DS.

As the “fixer of dreams”, it’s up to you to enter 10 stunning 3D environments and end the nightmarish attacks of the enemy before they overrun you. With 50 levels to conquer and over 100 challenges to achieve, the arcade action never lets up!

In order to blow away your foes you’ll first have to reveal their whereabouts by triggering sonar bombs, then blast them to bits and watch as they become multicoloured 3D patterns. The visual experience of exploding enemies, combined with inventive level design and an entrancing soundtrack, makes for a rich 3D experience that engages all of your senses in style.

The frenetic combination of colour and light in Dream Trigger 3D can be enjoyed in three game modes which each present their own unique challenges. Tackle World Play, Free Play and Time Attack Modes alone, or face-off with another friend who owns Dream Trigger 3D in Versus Mode. With two players, Dream Trigger 3D turns into a competitive challenge where you and your rival will battle to score the most points by taking out enemies and temporarily disarming one another.

Prepare for a journey where colour, sound and relentless action blend into a 3D experience that will keep your trigger finger twitching and your eyes wide with wonder!

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D – 1st July 2011

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D on Nintendo 3DS features re-mastered stages from Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5, delivering the intense Mercenaries gameplay experience for the first time on a handheld console.

It’s a race against time as players compete to defeat as many enemies as possible before the countdown reaches zero.

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D offers players a variety of gameplay formats with a solo mission option or the ability to team up with others across the world in two-player co-op via Internet Play. The game also includes the addition of an all new Skill Slot feature. Players will be able to fill three skill slots from a selection of 30 skills including improvements to weapon performance, reload speed or melee abilities and customise characters to best suit their style of play.

Packed with pulsating action and features, players will be able to control legendary Resident Evil characters from past and present in a face off against some of the most terrifying enemies, such as the Executioner and Popo Karimu. Playable characters include Chris Redfield, Krauser, Hunk, Jill Valentine, Rebecca Chambers, Albert Wesker and, making her debut in a Mercenaries game, Claire Redfield.

Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D delivers the intense Mercenaries gameplay experience for the first time on a handheld console, only on Nintendo 3DS.

PAC-MAN & Galaga Dimensions – 26th August 2011

Get your hands on a whole lot of arcade action as two gaming greats burst onto Nintendo 3DS.

PAC-MAN & Galaga Dimensions is a collection of six complete games, including four previous titles from the PAC-MAN and Galaga franchises, as well as two brand new games designed to harness the power of Nintendo 3DS.

In PAC-MAN tilt, you’ll utilise the Nintendo 3DS system’s built-in gyro sensor to guide the spherical yellow hero through inventive levels crammed with challenge. By tilting the Nintendo 3DS system you’ll alter the angle of the entire stage, causing PAC-MAN to roll at high speed and setting him up to use level elements like flippers and swings that can catapult him to new heights. It’s a whole new way to take control of one of gaming’s most famous heroes, and it’s all brought to life in glorious 3D!

A second new addition to a classic series comes in the form of Galaga 3D Impact, another sensory feast made possible by Nintendo 3DS. Take outer space by storm in this thrilling shoot ‘em up, where you’ll fly through enemy-filled landscapes by tilting your Nintendo 3DS through different angles. As you tilt and turn the system you’ll reveal new parts of your environment and run into enemies attacking from every angle – your cue to let loose with a barrage of gunfire and rack up the highest score possible.

But the fun doesn’t stop there! PAC-MAN & Galaga Dimensions also includes four classic games. From the PAC-MAN series you can enjoy both the original arcade classic PAC-MAN and the fast and furious PAC-MAN Championship Edition. Navigate the mazes, grab bonus items and avoid the ghastly ghosts in classic PAC-MAN fashion – an experience all the more entertaining now that it’s in 3D!

For Galaga fans – or even those who’ve never heard of the arcade classic – you can experience the magic of the original Galaga and the action-packed Galaga Legions as you shoot down streams of enemies and attempt to work out their attack patterns before they blow you out of the sky. Like the remastered PAC-MAN classics, both vintage Galaga offerings are brought to life in a new way with 3D visuals. All four classic games also feature a bonus system which challenges you to achieve 16 special goals as you play. Keep track of the bonus requirements on the Touch Screen – which might include bagging one million points or hitting every enemy in sight – and see if you can overcome the toughest tasks each game has to offer! Who knows, maybe you’ll even end up topping the online high score charts in one of the six games on offer.

Steep yourself in nostalgia and discover fresh new takes on two legendary franchises in PAC-MAN & Galaga Dimensions for Nintendo 3DS.

Well, there we have it. It seems like the Summer is packed with 3D Glasses free games. So, what games are you going to get this Summer? Pop it down in the comments.

Cheers
Leon

Sorry for the gap between updates.

Anyway, Yesterday, Nintendo released a more detailed description on the new update coming to the 3DS on the 6th and 7th June 2011. The update will include the long awaited Browser and eShop.

So what are you waiting for? Read more about it after the break.

02/06/2011
June 7th Nintendo 3DS system update adds Internet Browser, online store and Pokédex 3D

June 2, 2011 – Nintendo of Europe has announced that the first major system update for the handheld Nintendo 3DS™ system will be available in Europe on 7th June. By performing the free update via a wireless broadband Internet connection, Nintendo 3DS users will have access to an Internet browser and Nintendo eShop, which will give them access to a variety of new content, including Pokédex™ 3D, an application that lets fans see Pokémon™ characters in 3D. To celebrate the grand opening of Nintendo eShop, Nintendo is offering the NES™ game Excitebike™ re-mastered in 3D as a free download until July 7 for anyone who performs the system update. Additional new Virtual Console™, content available with Nintendo eShop includes Game Boy™ games Super Mario Land™, Alleyway™ and Tennis™. New content is added to Nintendo eShop every Thursday.

The Nintendo eShop is a digital store for Nintendo 3DS owners that provides access to a wide variety of downloadable content, such as original 3D software, classic games that have been re-mastered in 3D called 3D Classics, Game Boy and Game Boy Color “Virtual Console” games in their original 2D glory, and an extensive library of Nintendo DSiWare™ games. Visitors can also view videogame trailers, screenshots and product information for games, including those available at retail locations.

Within Nintendo eShop, Nintendo 3DS users will also be able to download the free Pokédex 3D application and start collecting data for more than 150 Pokémon™ from the Pokémon Black and Pokémon White Version games. This new application lets users see each Pokémon in 3D with animated motion and sound. The Pokémon image can be rotated 360 degrees, allowing users to zoom in and view it from any angle. The detailed Pokédex also allows users to search, sort and filter all of the data they receive in a variety of ways, making it the essential guide for Pokémon fans. Players can complete their Pokédex by sharing data with friends and using the SpotPass™ feature, or by scanning special Pokémon AR Markers (augmented reality markers). Once users have received data for a Pokémon, the AR Viewer allows them to view that Pokémon image in a real-world setting in real time, and create photos to share with friends.

Other capabilities that go live with the system update include a free Internet browser which has the capability to show 3D images on sites specifically designed to show 3D images. The browser can also be used during gameplay. Users can stop their Nintendo 3DS game and go to the browser by pressing the Home Button and then resume their game when they are finished browsing. People can also use the browser to download 3D pictures from the Internet or upload pictures they have taken with the Nintendo 3DS cameras.

The system update also gives Nintendo DSi™ and Nintendo DSi XL™ owners the ability to easily transfer most of their previously purchased Nintendo DSiWare games to their new Nintendo 3DS systems.

The system update also gives users the ability to receive SpotPass content from supported public WiFi hotspots across Europe and, in the near future, users will be able to download a free application for a short-form video service that will enable them to view specially selected video content, including 3D movie trailers, comedy clips and music videos automatically received using the SpotPass feature.

To perform the recommended system update, Nintendo 3DS users can simply start the “System Settings” from the Home Menu, select “Other Settings” and scroll the page right to select “System Update“.

The first new bit of information we learn is the fact they have remade the NES Classic, Excitebike, for use with the 3D effects, and this will be for free from the 7th June to the 7th July 2011.

We then learn the launch titles for the Virtual Console which consists of Super Mario Land, Alleyway and Tennis. Kinda disappointing that Link’s Awakening isn’t included on there, but I’m sure it will be added within the first few weeks; new titles will be added every Thursday.

Another bit of tasty info released that might excite all those Pokémon fans, is the Pokédex App. This app (or 3DSWare) can be downloaded for free. This will be used to view animated dioramas of over 150 different Pokémon from Pokémon Black and White, collected by SpotPass or AR Markers. These can then be viewed using AR Cards to see them in a real life environment.

It was also announced that SpotPass will be updated. We are told that your 3DS System will automatically connect to the Internet when you pass compatible hotspots scattered around the world. It will connect to the Internet looking for firmware updates, video content and much more

Finally, we are told that the 3DS browser can be used to view special 3D websites and to easily share photos you have taken using the 3DS cameras as well as using the normal features of a browser. However, we have also learnt that the browser will not be able to run HTML5 or Flash so that means no online flash games or YouTube, but let’s hope they decide to give us a YouTube app.

So, a lot was announced yesterday, but what are you looking forward to the most?

Also, with E3 coming around the corner, do you recon even more features that will be included in future updates will be announced for the 3DS?

Cheers
Leon

Recently, the Spam Comment Inbox has been flooded with comments day in and day out. So I have now decided to take action. Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to comment however, you must be a member of WordPress.com.

You’re not a member? Don’t worry, it’s completely free to join. all you have to do is to go to www.wordpress.com then click register at the top, then come back here to post your comment. It’s as easy as that.

Cheers
Leon

I’m now back from MCM, and I can tell you I had a fantastic time

As soon as I entered the DLR train, I already saw loads of people dressed up in familiar and not-so familiar costumes.

Find out more after the break

When it came to entering the expo after the 40 minute wait int the queue (thank god for early entry passes) I noticed that my 3DS’s light was illuminated green. I looked in a already noticed I passed 10 different people (this happened about 7 or 8 times) I then went off to the Nintendo Unleashed Stall where The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 3D was situated.

After the 20 minute wait, I was able to get my hands on the demo at last. It seemed like the same demo as the one at Nintendo World as the touchscreen buttons were the same and there were the same three levels. It was fantastic!. It was then time to get some signatures from Billy West, the voice of Fry from Futurama and Ren and Stimpy from… well Ren and Stimpy and man other voices too.

After I had a bit of lunch, it was time to go back to the Nintendo Unleashed Stall. I ended up queuing three more times just for OoT 3D.

All the levels that were on the demo were recognizable, however, everything was completely revamped, graphics wise. It was a nice blast from the past. The queue ended up being an hour wait.

Travel in Time on 17th June 2011

I then went over to play Wii Play Motion. It was actually quite good, however, it seems that I would probably get bored with it after about 3 to 5 hours, but you’re pretty much just paying for the Wii Remote Plus and the game is a freebie. Some of the mini-games were actually quite difficult. There was only one which I hated just because it was so difficult, the one where you have to more the spaceship.

Play with Motion on 24th June 2011

So, overall I had a great time and I can’t wait until October for the next Expo. While I was there I was able to get some Mario Themed Sour Sweets and PacMan and Mario Themed Energy Drinks. After the weekend, I was able to gather over 80 different Miis through StreetPass (eight times more than I was able to get in the first two months of release)

90 Miis and Counting!

Anyway, I have now added the new monthly poll to the blog. This time it asks for three games or hardware that you are most looking forward to at E3. It will be the same after E3 but I’ll change the wording so no one gets confused.

Remember that Nintendo’s E3 Conference will be held on the 7th June 2011 at 9am PDT/5pm GMT

The winner of the last poll was Twinrova with 3 out of 13 votes

May's Monthly Poll Winner

Cheers
Leon