# Ok Ninetendo. Whats the f'n holdup with the 3DS online functionality? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 22, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322 "2011-04-22T03:45:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/1 "2011-04-22T03:45:35Z")
I got the 3DS a few weeks ago and it’s decent piece of hardware. Not blowing my mind or anything. But one think I just don’t understand is why did they launch the system without the online store and web browser functioning? These seem like basic things that shouldn’t take a huge amount of time to prepare as there are countless existing models out to build off of. I think the lack of the online store is magnified by the fact that they haven’t really released any killer games for it yet and, so far any way, games are trickling out. An online store to buy little games to tide me over would be nice. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/2 "2011-04-22T04:19:39Z")
Second that. Since our last online SF4 game, I also got an IPad to replace my netbook, and I’m impatiently waiting for Nintendo to get its act together and release somethingn worth while. I’m tearing ass at ridge racer, beat pilot wings, and hate the Sims 4. I could go back to summoning Cthulu to eat hippies in Scribblenauts, but then why did I get a 3DS at all? :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/3 "2011-04-22T04:41:11Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > I got the 3DS a few weeks ago and it’s decent piece of hardware. Not blowing my mind or anything. But one think I just don’t understand is why did they launch the system without the online store and web browser functioning? These seem like basic things that shouldn’t take a huge amount of time to prepare as there are countless existing models out to build off of. The last time we got a Nintendo e-store at launch, it was the terrible Wii Shop channel. It’s not like Nintendo can flip a switch and magically develop it overnight. As such, there were 3 options: 1. A half-assed store at launch. 2. Delay the 3DS until store is ready 3. Release the 3DS and update when the store is finished Clearly 3 makes the most sense, unless you’d really rather deprive yourself of the 3DS until everything is ready go. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/4 "2011-04-22T13:20:10Z")
or 4) Have the online store done and ready for the launch of the 3DS. It’s not like the 3DS just appeared fully formed with no warning. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/5 "2011-04-22T17:44:17Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > or > 4) Have the online store done and ready for the launch of the 3DS. > > It’s not like the 3DS just appeared fully formed with no warning. Why do you assume that was possible? I’m sure that’s what Nintendo would have wanted to do. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/6 "2011-04-22T17:47:33Z")
> [@Red\_Barchetta](#): > > The last time we got a Nintendo e-store at launch, it was the terrible Wii Shop channel. It’s not like Nintendo can flip a switch and magically develop it overnight. As such, there were 3 options: > > 1. A half-assed store at launch. > > 2. Delay the 3DS until store is ready > > 3. Release the 3DS and update when the store is finished > > Clearly 3 makes the most sense, unless you’d really rather deprive yourself of the 3DS until everything is ready go. I’ve always liked the Wii store, but admittedly I didn’t get that console at launch. Was it really that bad? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/7 "2011-04-22T18:16:18Z")
> [@CaveMike](#): > > Why do you assume that was possible? I’m sure that’s what Nintendo would have wanted to do. 😕 Why wouldn’t it be possible? More to the point, why would **Red Barchetta** assume it was impossible? ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/8 "2011-04-22T18:26:00Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > 😕 Why wouldn’t it be possible? More to the point, why would **Red Barchetta** assume it was impossible? The 3DS is out and there isn’t a store. Presumably Nintendo wanted to release on-time with a store and, for whatever reason, could not. Hence the implication is that it was not possible for them to do it (at least not within the scope of their other activities and priorities). Those are my assumptions at least and I was surprised that you added your #4. Why do you think Nintendo chose not to release with a store? Because they just didn’t think it was important? ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/9 "2011-04-22T18:36:12Z")
They were working on the 3DS before the launch of the Wii. That’s plenty of time. They don’t get a pass for not having it ready at launch. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/10 "2011-04-22T18:43:10Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > They were working on the 3DS before the launch of the Wii. That’s plenty of time. They don’t get a pass for not having it ready at launch. Is your argument that you looked at the calendar and determined they had enough time to do it? ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/11 "2011-04-22T19:30:17Z")
My argument is that 4) is a valid option and should have been included. If your argument is that four years isn’t long enough, include option 4, and use that as your reason why it’s not the right option. Otherwise, you’re left arguing that 4) isn’t an option at all, which is stupid. ---
**Author:** ![CaveMike](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cavemike/32/16379_2.png) [@CaveMike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaveMike)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/12 "2011-04-22T19:49:38Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > My argument is that 4) is a valid option and should have been included. If your argument is that four years isn’t long enough, include option 4, and use that as your reason why it’s not the right option. Otherwise, you’re left arguing that 4) isn’t an option at all, which is stupid. Which comes full-circle to my original question. Why do you think #4 is a valid option? If you want to add an item to the list, you should support it. Is your support that they have been developing the 3DS for four years and that is plenty of time to develop an app store? There is no way that they would have started on the app store four years ago; that would be a waste of money. More likely, they started on the app store recently and scheduled it to coincide with the 3DS launch. Either they ran into problems or they pulled up the 3DS launch. I think it is naive to assume that they must have time to build all of their products and services in all of their markets. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/13 "2011-04-22T20:08:14Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > 😕 Why wouldn’t it be possible? More to the point, why would **Red Barchetta** assume it was impossible? Option 4 is covered by option 1. Do you really think Nintendo would not release the store day 1 if it were ready? Yes, they probably could have released something, but it would be closer to the Wii’s storefront, which they’re trying to avoid, instead of the more polished experiences of XBLA or the App Store. Hell, Nintendo’s even spoken publicly about this: > [@](#): > > “The iterations that we’ve had before - for Wii and DS - to be honest, we just haven’t been as satisfied as we would like,” Hideki Konno admitted to Gamasutra. > > "It’s browser-based, and to be honest, the ease of use wasn’t what we wanted, and I don’t think that anyone has been pleased with the user response. And I don’t think that people have been using it as often as we want. And being able to, again, easily go into it, look around and purchase things. Again, it just didn’t work out quite as we were hoping. > > He went on to confess that fewer users than originally hoped had been checking out the Wii’s Nintendo Channel, which hosted trailers, game news and DS demos. Treating it as a separate entity to the Wii Shop, he argued, was an error. > > "For Nintendo 3DS, we really want to cover that all in one spot and cover it from all sides. And so we’re really taking the right amount of time to make sure that it’s right. > > "And because we’re also taking the promotional aspect that we would once separate out and putting that together with the actual shopping aspect to give you the eShop, it’s not going to be browser-based; it’s a native application. So again, the preparation needed for that is quite extensive. > > “ **We’re taking more time because we want to be able to create a system where a consumer sees a promotion and says, ‘Wow, that looks great!’** Sees a game demo, game trailer, whatever it is, and says, ‘I want that!’ And the ability to then say ‘Now I can purchase it right here without having to back out and go somewhere else’ - we want to provide that experience,” he continued. > > **“So that’s one other reason why we’re not bringing it out with the system itself.”** > **[Nintendo admits Wii Shop failings](https://www.eurogamer.net/nintendo-admits-wii-shop-failings)** > > The 3DS's digital download store won't be available when the new handheld launches on Friday as Nintendo wants to make … ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/14 "2011-04-22T22:25:08Z")
> [@antonio107](#): > > I’ve always liked the Wii store, but admittedly I didn’t get that console at launch. Was it really that bad? 😕 It was pretty bad, imo. Here are my problems with it: [ol] [li] Slow to load. You click on the store and it takes what seems like forever to connect. And sometimes I’d randomly get error messages preventing it from connecting at all.[/li] [li] Not seamless. This kind of ties into point one, but every single action is a chore. Whether it’s getting to the store, navigating around trying to find a game, or actually purchasing it, every single click is accompanied by a second or two delay.[/li] [li] Doesn’t save credit card information. Whenever you make a purchase, you have to manually enter your credit card information, full home address, and sacrifice your first born. This is a really tedious process using the shitty on-screen keyboard, particularly when you live in a city that’s freakin’ 19 characters long.[/li] [li] For the purchase confirmation–and only the purchase confirmation–they reverse the god damn “confirm” or “cancel” buttons buttons! Whereas before the “confirm” button was always on the right, it’s now been swapped with the “cancel” one! And if you click cancel–which remember, should be “confirm”–you have to repeat the entire god damn process! I’ve given up on buying a game a time or two because of this very problem.[/li] [li] The store just looks and feels shitty. It’s slow, a pain to navigate, and is not at all seamless. The store is really webpages within a really shitty browser, and it shows. It’s not at all integrated into the system’s core functionality, much as they plan to do with the 3DS.[/li][/ol] I’m sure there’s plenty more I can think of, such as it not adequately promoting new or good games, but I think I’ve written all I care to. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/15 "2011-04-23T03:04:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Why do you think #4 is a valid option? It’s up to you or **Red Barchetta** show why it isn’t a valid option. Otherwise your argument is incomplete. I, personally, do believe that 4+ years is plenty of time. > [@Red Barchetta](#): > > Option 4 is covered by option 1. No, option 4 is not covered by option 1. Does “done and ready” means the same as “half-assed” to you? > [@](#): > > Do you really think Nintendo would not release the store day 1 if it were ready? No, of course not. But it’s their responsibility that it isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ok-ninetendo-whats-the-fn-holdup-with-the-3ds-online-functionality/579322/16 "2011-04-23T03:07:40Z")
> [@ZenBeam](#): > > It’s up to you or **Red Barchetta** show why it isn’t a valid option. I have. What about my previous response or Nintendo’s explanation do you not understand?