Report Suggests You'll Soon Be Able To Purchase Nintendo Titles Via Your Phone Or PC

I see no point in this personally. More importantly, we need our games to be tied to our accounts and not our systems - why Nintendo isn't focusing on that I have no idea.

right. No account, no buy.from me. Nintendo, this is a standard. Don't try to make it different like everyone else just for the sake of it.

yeah, or Nintendo will only sell Download Codes online and directly from them. Like the ones GAME sell. So your games will still be linked to specific hadrware you redeem this code. I am pretty sure this will be the case knowing Nintendo this days.
But i will still be the first one singning praise if they really announce an account sytem.

@Damo agreed. Account based is the next step, which is great if you ask me.

I would use this service - very convenient to browse the eshop and buy stuff on it only to be able to play it as soon as I get home.

This is brilliant on PS3, when the last of us came out I purchased it on my work computer and when I got home it was downloaded and installed. What damo said is correct too, this would most likely come with an account system. Very good news.

I guess its better late than never. The good thing is this means that were going to have a proper account system on Nintendo consoles. Also supports 3DS getting NN/Miiverse this fall as well. (why the 3DS wasn't built with it is a failing on nintendo's part).

Lets hope that Nintendo can keep it hack-free. Going live to the web has become a dangerous thing to do!

Cool, sounds like they are getting closer to releasing an account based system.

@SMW
Good point Sony did have a security breech not to long ago as a result..

@ arrmixer:
They had it coming because they said the PS3 was "unhackable" because they said it was. Yeah, kind of like the "unsinkable" Titanic.

Slowly catching up to the others. This sounds promising with regards to the account system becoming a reality. I think once that happens they'll see a big boost in digital sales.

Damo
@Geonjaha I'd say that account-based purchases will come with this system

As the article says "suggests" i just hope it does come, as this is the only thing stopping me spending money like i do on the PSN.

Im surprised they didnt add 3DS to the mix, would be kinda cool to buy a Wii U game from your 3DS or vice versa. Unless this is already possible of course then disregard lol

Nice. I'll be able to download a game at work and have it ready for me when I get home!

@Damo Not necessarily. Currently your Nintendo Network ID is tied to one machine exclusively; so if you log on with that ID via your PC, the system will know that you are buying something for that tied console.

I mean, I really hope you're right, but knowing Nintendo I fear you may not be.

@Geonjaha Agreed.

I lik this this idea. It will make it easier to buy games for my nephews and nieces who live quite a distance away. Hopefully a centralised account system is in the works as well!

I for one would buy more VC games if I could use them on both my 3DS and WiiU. I find it hard to swallow having to purchase a VC game twice to be able to use it on both consoles.

@Geonjaha It's exactly that what the whole article says.

How i see this coming, i knew that people wouldn't understand this. Today nobody even tries to read a news or understand a thing on the internet.

Only with an account based system you can buy 3DS games from the PC, get it now?

I still prefer the physical disc and when I have the option to buy a game that way, I will.

@Araknie - Wow. Thanks for predicting our ignorance and showing me the light. /sarcasm.

All this article states about the system (That isn't speculation) is that "Nintendo is working on a system which will allow consumers to bypass the Wii U and 3DS eShops and pay for games using their smartphones or PCs".

While this may well mean that it is account based (As I hope it is) it could also mean that you buy download codes from your PC, or even that the game once purchased on your account is only applicable to one console ever, at which point you'd need to buy it again (Not to mention what @antonvaltaz said). There's no guarantee thus far that it's actually going to happen, so the patronising lecture wasn't really necessary.

I guess I don't really care either way. The only time I browse the eShop and purchase games is when I have time for gaming — either in front of my 3DS or WiiU. And since I take my 3DS to work, it makes it easy to assess the eShop on the go. It would be nice to have, given most everyone else has this function, though.

An account system would rock, but right now I'm not sure my Internet connection will handle it well....

YES
I was on holiday away from the uk in America. The offer came into effect and ended while I was away and I was desperately trying to find a way to remotely buy it. I even contacted nintendo to find a way to which I was told no. Instances like that it's very valuable.

So basically Nintendo is looking for ways so paying to them is not tied to your console, that's only o.k. if they also find ways to games not be tied to the console

@Damo exactly right.. although your account does hold your purchase information. How else can Nintendo transfer it to your new system remotely?

I think people are making a mountain out of a mole hill... If your system breaks or is stolen, they have a process inplace of moving your purchases to your new device... I can understand not downloading things to your 3DS in fear you might leave it on the bus or something, but are you really going to lose a Wii U system?

Is Nintendo's system cumbersome? Yes
Is it prohibitive from buying on eshop? I don't think so on the Wii U.

Nintendo will always create hardware. Anyone who thinks that hardware isn't the future, is someone I disagree with.

I don't want to play Nintendo on some bulldoodoopoopie phone, I want a specially made system made for the most innovative and fun games in the world - Nintendo games.

Integration of game and system data, etc via internet is fine, and must always serve the game and the gamer, not the insatiable greed of some pathetic business people.

Progress in technology doesn't mean putting everything on the internet. If you think that's progress, then youre a person I disagree with. Open your eyes, person with whom I disagree, there is a living ecosystem and living network called life. Playing side by side with a friend will never go out of "style".

What's getting dated and laughable here is this idea that one thinks its edgy and futuristic to think every single thing will be available on some computer. A person I disagree with could come to that conclusion. Its like saying in there will future their will be robots. I mean, that is a complete lack of imagination. Or some human being thinks we will all live in a browser or internet explorer or some crappy OS.

Person with whom I disagree, nature has an operating system. High technology is already here and now. A tablet or high speed internet and the "cloud" aren't high tech. This is laughable and pathetic.
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It's about time! I use xbox.com all the time to make downloadable purchases while I'm at work. Otherwise, it's likely I'd forget that X game is on sale and not getting around to purchasing it. And with Xbox, you don't even have to have the console on, it has a queue that your purchases go to until you boot up the system.

@raiden777
This isn't talking about downloading and playing Nintendo games on your phone or PC. This is talking about being able to go to a browser and select games you want to purchase FOR your Wii U or 3DS. It just makes it more convenient if you can't access the console.

Nintendo now need to let u use your account on another Wii like the Xbox come on Nintendo get with it if your saying you want a decent online experience this should have been day one!
I want to be able to play games like injustice and cod with xp with my mate so he can level up while he's using my console.

@FiveDigitLP it makes me laugh when people complain and they haven't actual read the article properly lol

@raiden777 But you can nearly find any information you need on the internet. And if we're talking about games, there certainly is a way to find all the games you need on the web. I'm not trying to promote anything, of course.

What's so wrong with Nintendo making Kong, Mario Bros, or Super Mario Bros on the phone? It'd make Ninty rich, and it would make smartphone users frustrated!

@FiveDigitLP He did read the article correctly. "Integration of game and system data, etc via internet is fine", raiden was just using the opportunity to rant and call people Grade A Morons, which is understandable. Grade A Moron is quite fun to say out-loud.

I've yet to buy even a single eshop game. I'm waiting for the DRM to change.

Hopefully they'll get around to making joint accounts without being linked to the systems.

I was always under the impression that accounts would be coming by the end of the year, so I'll keep sticking to that. It doesn't really concern me that much though, and I'm tired of the endless comments for accounts to be implemented.

It's a neat idea to be able to purchase games online, I'd like to be able to "pre-order" games and have it download automatically when the game releases. And if you could use Paypal as a payment method that'd be awesome.

@raiden777
Jeez, that's a lot of bad language ranting about something completely irrelevant to the article in question.

This is a cool idea. I'm looking forward to being able to buy something while I'm on break at work so that it's ready when I get home, but the only games I download are so small, that it doesn't matter much. I'm going retail until there is a substantial price point difference to justify otherwise.

Sounds brilliant to me since I'm doing all my Wii U purchasing as downloads and I keep my machine in standby all the time. I'd just need to remember to have the hard drive switched on before a release date, then when I get home the game is ready to play!

@Ackshiel I completely agree. It's kind of absurd with the technical specs of the 3DS to think that it can't handle any of the vintage software (that includes GC and N64). I would buy a 3DS for that reason alone (that's not to mention it's already fantastic library. As for the remote download, sign me up. I agree too with the author about backups living on the cloud, that's industry standard--the current Nintendo system is simply bad.

I was just thinking the other day that I wished they'd do this... great!

This basically means an account based system with eShop purchases, so I'm stoked!

Pretty old news. Nintendo already confirmed a year or two ago that they were working on this system for 3DS and that the 3DS was ready for it.

@Conkers64
Actually, I'm pretty sure the 3DS can't run virtual console Gamecube games. N64 yes, Gamecube no. Emulation requires a system with much more power than the console it's trying to emulate to run smoothly, especially if the system architectures are different. In raw power, the 3DS is still pretty close to Gamecube and Wii and it uses a different CPU architecture. Only way to see Gamecube games on 3DS is for devs to go back and either port the games to 3DS or completely remake them.

This is awesome! I would love to purchase a game while at work and have it already downloaded to my console by the time I get home. Of course a change making my downloads linked to my account would be very welcome too.

I don't see the point in purchase a game from a smartphone or a PC, but they better provide a personal account system like the rest of the world, come on Nintendo, just do it

The biggest good news for me, so I'm waiting for this fall to have this update!!

@Geonjaha YES, yes.. what he said..

@Legromancer I agree, I'm starting to get the feeling like nintendo is trying to be different just for the sake of being different. That will fail more times than succeed.

Nintendo, it's not all about how you're getting it TO us but about how you'll KEEP IT with us.That's where change is needed. Sell us something we NEED for a change.

Cool I will be taking advantage of this, since I'm always flying airplanes and not home all the time.

There have been a few times I'd have wanted to take advantage of this. I'll be glad to see the added convenience.

Tied accounts?

I could see the convenience if Nintendo actually actively had sales on games, but they don't. Why would one need to buy a game right away instead of simply waiting until they have access to their console? They'd have to download it once they got back to it anyway - so it's not about an internet connection.

I've been saying they need to do this. Instead of having a Nintendo games on mobile devices, they need to just have a really great Nintendo app with screenshots, videos, wallpapers, and the ability to browse and purchase from the eShop.

Cool. Ya, I think Nintendo will apply an account system.

If there isn't an account system, then none of this matters to me. Digital purchases have to be account-based, this is 2013, not 1990.

I would definitely use it if I could connect both my Wii U and my 3DS accounts and money, so I could put money in my 3DS and have it on both devices. Also, I have been known to lose or break my Nintendo handhelds a lot in the past. I have lost four handhelds, got one stolen right out of my lap, (he just came and ran, this mad world, I was only ten years old) and I broke three.

If I were to recover my downloads if something were to happen to my 3DS on another one, then that would be perfect. I have $70 worth of games downloaded on my 3DS XL right now, and I wouldn't want to repurchase them.

One more thing that I would like which really angers me that I can't is if I could download a Virtual Console game on one system and download it on my other system instead of being forced to purchase the same game again just to play it on both my 3DS and Wii U. I only play Virtual Console games on my 3DS, and I would rather wait for EarthBound to come to the 3DS than purchase it on both because I don't want to pay for EarthBound twice. If other Nintendo fans purchased it twice on the 3DS and Wii U, then give them some extra money in their accounts to make it up.

Please Nintendo don't make a mess of this!
I hope to see this appear along with the 3DS Miiverse and eshop overhaul that's LONG overdue!

I love this idea, actually earlier today i was at the Nintendo website wondering if i could purchase a game directly from there for my 3DS. This would be the perfect incentive to make Nintendo create a LONG OVERDUE account base system

@Damo I hope so!

If this can coincide with the ability to purchase without linking to one piece of hardware indefinitely, I won't only buy more digitally instead of retail, I imagine I'll buy more games, period.

@Geonjaha Absolutely agree with that. That's why I try not to buy games with a retail version on the eShop. I only buy games what are exclusively on the Nintendo 3DS eShop.... although I wish Nintendo would just tie our games to our club Nintendo account so we can install them in any system we want once we log on into that Club Nintendo account.

now if they would take online multiplayer play more seriously we would really have something. They are still so far behind in this respect. I can't believe they didn't try to convince square to bring Dragon Quest X to Wii and Wii-U in North America. Also so many other ways to improve the online experience they just seem to let it pass by like it doesn't even exist. They could also link our account to multiple systems that would be a huge improvement.

Account system good, very good. Could make use of purchasing on my PC as well.

Good but nothing to freak out over.

@Legromancer obviously this will be using an account based system

Technically they already have an account based system for all consoles. It's just the case that we can't transfer accounts from system to another yourself (we can for 3ds if both systems are present) if your console is damaged beyond repair Nintendo can still transfer your stuff to another console for you so I really don't understand why you all fret so much.

@Damo Sorry for not thinking like that about Nintendo.

hopefully they tie previous purchases to accounts

"Nintendo is taking the online side of its business very seriously"

To seriously, if you ask me! They better get some third-party retail games on the Wii u! They better come up with bundles again that contain boxed copies of games instead of cheap downloads!!