Nintendo Details NES and GBA Features for the eShop Virtual Console

Nintendo 3DS owners anticipating their 20 free NES and GBA games will be happy to to hear that Nintendo has released some details on how the software will work.

Nintendo will be releasing priority versions of the NES games to customers on September 1st, but they will not contain all the features of the official versions to be released later in the year:

Priority NES Features

• An electronic manual explaining game controls


• Alternating multiplayer is supported in some titles, but simultaneous multiplayer is not


• Restore Point will not be featured, however, VC Suspend (press home button to suspend the action and come back later) will be supported

Official NES Features

• A Full electronic manual


• Simultaneous and Versus Multiplayer will be supported with multiple 3DS handhelds


• Restore Points will be available in the official versions


• Transfer games to another 3DS handheld will be supported in the official versions


• Non-3DS gamers can purchase official versions when they are released to the eShop VC, but 3DS Ambassadors can upgrade for free

Nintendo will also be releasing GBA games later in the year for 3DS Ambassadors. However, Nintendo hasn't made any plans for them to be released to other 3DS owners. Here are the software details:

GBA Features

• Full Electronic Manuals


• Wireless and other Peripherals not supported


• Pressing home displays a simple menu, you will not actually be able to return to the Home menu


• No Restore Point or VC Suspend for the GBA games


• Saving data will work identical to how it works for each GBA game


• 3DS will not enter Sleep Mode, even after closing the handheld


• SpotPass and StreetPass will not function during gameplay


• Again, you will be able to transfer games to another 3DS handheld when released

The Game Boy Advance games seems to contain a list of things that can't be done, but free software is free I guess. Personally, I would have liked the VC Suspend feature, love that on the Wii VC.

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