PSA: Update All Your 3DS Games, Even The Ones You Don't Own (Just In Case)

Problem is if you have multiple 3DS do you update on all of them or just the one that one loaded and played the game on?

I'm pretty sure Nintendo said software updates will still be available after the eShop shutdown. That may not be true forever though, and I don't know if it applies to patches that you have to download directly from the eShop, like the Pokemon X/Y one.

Never would have thought of this on my own.. I'll have to take a look and make some decisions.
Thanks NL!

Paaaanic!!
I already put lots of games into my wishlist that I'll buy in the next couple of months. Lots of which unfortunately are not affordable in physical form anymore. Thanks for the tip with the updates, will do that asap.

@SwitchForce Nintendo is such a mess. I lost my data from my first 3ds bc of a power issue. I had to redownload everything and start all over. I have a back up 3ds for this very reason, but it will be of little use, I fear, if I have another issue down the road road bc they make things such a pain to transfer data….

@Dogorilla
There's two types of patches on 3DS. There is the kind that can be downloaded from the 'update' section in the eShop, and standalone (generally larger) updates.
A game like Silver Falls: Three Down Stars has reveived numerous updates in the former style, but the list Zion compiled are the ones you grab separately from the eShop.

I’m not 100% but I think the updates to download will always be there. You can still download the skyward sword update from the Wii shop

I think all my games already have their latest updates but there's some I haven't played in years that could have some available. What a pain in the ass to have to go through my whole library making sure I got all of them.

Gaming on modern systems really does suck sometimes. Especially for your digital collection.

This proves to me that jailbreaking is necessary after Nintendo closes down its servers.

If I remember, Sun and Moon has a bug where you don't learn moves upon evolution, and there are some only learned this way.

@nukatha Ah ok, that makes sense (well, kind of - I don't know why it's not more consistent). As @1UP_MARIO pointed out, it's definitely possible that the updates will still be available on the eShop like with Skyward Sword on Wii, but we don't know that for sure.

Good thing my 3DS is modded already. Any game that is no longer accessable on the eshop after the closing can be found online and added through hacking anyway so no Nintendo you can't take my games away.

@Dogorilla
Generally (although not completely true), physical games (and their digital counterparts) have 'standalone' updates, while digital-only use the more elegant interface.
StreetPass Mii Plaza, for instance has a specific update.

I just hacked it instead.

A couple of days ago I updated all my 4 3ds with the games that I have still sealed and some that maybe I will buy in the future. Just write the word '' update'' on the search on eshop and you should take around 5 pages of games.
Also shin megami tensei overclocked has a very important update, don' t forget that.
After the update we have a marathon about free dlc and in some cases paid dlc.
For example a great game like professor layton vs phoenix wright has to be finished to get the free dlc cases.
We have loose our sleeps with all that situation!!

Might be worth doing a list for Wii U too. One example is Sonic Boom which has a 1GB patch to fix some of the glitches. Not the best example I know, but better than being stuck with only the non-patched version someday.

It's New Style Boutique, not New Fashion Boutique.

Have to make sure to get all that third party dlc too. My half complete Final Fantasy IV The After Years & My Life is a King are sad states. I'm sure the wads are out there, I'd just rather have my original files completed.

I only bought a 2DS a few weeks ago, grabbed it second hand and picked up copies of Zelda (OoT, MM and ALBW). I've barely touched it as I've been working through Zelda PH on my DS, and also Ori & the Blind Forest on Switch (love it). My question, are there any key updates or patches etc that I need to be aware of for any of the 3DS games, I'm not fussed with DLC, but if anything is key to fixing issues etc then it would be good to know. Thanks in advance.

I am fine with the eshop shutting down. But I am also fine with emulating the games I own once my 3ds dies.

@noz901 The most important updates are the Pokémon X and Y ones - the games had a bug where saving in certain spots within Lumiose City could cause your game to no longer function, which is fixed in the update.

If you like Zelda, then you should be aware that the Tri-Force Heroes update adds some additional content.

@EarthboundBenjy
Thanks, I was going to give Tri Force Heroes a swerve. Cheers for the reply.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Surviver Overclocked is unplayable without the patch, since it softlocks each time you summon a demon in battle. As far as I know, this is only an issue in the european version of the game, though.

In light of the comments on this type of article, another good article related to these closures would be which great games are eshop and physical but where the physical is now 2x as much or more.

I love the DS and 3ds family have a few of the various shapes and forms it’s taken. Never did get an XL or anything after that… so I might get a XL and get it all updated and download on all my units.

Game updates will remain available for the foreseeable future. Even after the eShop closes next year.

You guys either are:
1. Really milking it.
2. Click baiting it.
or
3. Overreacting about it.

Did I write "or"? I meant and.

@SwitchForce
I also have two 3DS systems but one of them wasn't used that much. I have the same question: Should I put all the updates on both?

And if that makes sense: Do I need a NNID on the second 3DS, too? If so, if I plan to play some games in multiplayer in the future, is it a problem if both systems use the same NNID? For example playing Pokémon X on system 1 and Pokémon Y on system 2.

Is it possible to copy the update data on PC and put it back on the 3DS again later to save some space?

So many questions... Thanks for your help!

Okay at this point y’all have got to stop torturing yourselves and jailbreak your 3DS. I’m awful with technology but even I managed to do it. Please do it so you (or your wallet) don’t stress so much unnecessarily.

I don't get it. I thought you could still get free stuff when it closes. Right? RIGHT? ...maybe, idk.

i always wondered about this when it came to gaming's vegans, the physical only crowd. Is there any game that doesn't get an update nowadays? not that they shouldn't, there were still bugs before patches were a thing. is there a third party way to update them? anyone keep old versions of smash?

Q : Are there any 3DS game updates or patches that you consider ABSOLUTELY essential for the game?

Me : I found quite a lot for the games I played and I might play in the future.

ALL Yokai Watch games:
Yokai Watch 1
Yokai Watch 2 (Bony Spirits / Fleshy Souls / Psychic Spectre)
Yokai Watch 3 (Sushi / Tempura / Sukiyaki)
Yokai Watch Busters (Red Cat Corps / White Dog Squad / Moon Rabbit Crew)
Yokai Watch Busters 2 (Magnum / Sword)
Yokai Sangokushi

Most of games by Nippon Columbia on Japanese 3DS.

Some of PreCure games on Japanese 3DS.

Style Savvy games.

Mame Goma Sweet Farm.

Jewelpet Cafe de Mahou no Cooking.

Danboru Senki Boost.

Danboru Senki W Custom.

Charapet Tsukute.

Aikatsu games.

Taiko no Tatsujin games.

Mahocole: Mahou Idol Collection.

Hoppechan Minna de Odekake.

I thought the shop was going, not the patches.

GREAT advice! Thank you, Kate!

go hack. you're welcome

How do you update a 3ds game you don't own? 🤔

I actually just did this a few days ago and after putting every one of my physical games in I found 3 that needed updating. Glad I did as who knows how long I would be able to do this in the future.

I did Federation Force today.

@UltimateOtaku91 cfw

@UltimateOtaku91
Go to eshop, type the games you want to search then there are some 3DS games have the updates. It has similar game app icon but it has number version on it.
Click the updates and you can download them for free.
Once you have the updates in your machine, you will no longer being asked to update your certain 3DS games when you inserted the cartridge from the games you will buy in the future.
I already prepared this for all my 3DS XL machines, just in case if someday I can get certain 3DS games in cartridge with update requirements.

@valharian
No, thanks.
I have downloaded the updates of 3DS games I want to buy in the future.

@Angelic_Lapras_King Not saying that I disagree with you, but can you get updates for Wii U games you still don't own? I don't think I've seen the option to do that.

Maybe it could be like on the Switch, in which if you get DLC (regardless if it's paid or free) for a game you don't own you also get the latest update. I realized that when I downloaded all the DLC for Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle, Mega Man 11 and Sonic Forces before I got them physically except for Capcom's game, I haven't gotten that one but the DLC and updates are ready.

I just hacked my 2ds xl. I thought it would be hard but it's actually pretty easy. I also hacked a friend's. I gotta say, it's AWESOME! I ripped my physical games to play without a cartridge and transferring my saves was a piece of cake. I also got some awesome custom themes online. If you have any 3ds model, go hack it right now!

@Mikmoomamimocki
No, thanks.
My 3DS machines will stay original and updates on it.

Btw, it just sad to see peoples here really choose to pirate and jailbreak the things than keep persistent with original things from the comments I saw.
I still keep persistent with my choice, to stay in original machines and updates on it and thus I have prepared for it.

@UltimateOtaku91 If I remember right, you can, for most, if not all, selectively download update/dlc data separate from a game, even if you own the game.

I'm not sure I need to for any of the games I own, but man I don't feel like going through my library of like thirty something games.

@Anti-Matter what are you on about? What do you think jailbreaking does? ***** all besides being able to download games from a CIA file. It's completely removable and you would be daft not to setup cfw that takes literally 5 minutes. Your loss

No need to panic. Almost every game system has offline dlc/update installers made by the hacking community. Just wait & it will come. But if the whole internet were to come to an end.... Better get those updates now!

You're missing Shin Megami Tensei Devil Survivor on your list. The PAL version has a unique game-breaking bug that makes the game incompletable so the patch is a must.

I'm going to look into jailbreaking my 3ds. I do own everything I want to buy, and have spare credit that I don't really know what to do with. But I imagine that, when GBA, NDS and various other types of games become available for free, I'll have more gameplay options.

@EarthboundBenjy yeah but to be fair, what the chance of someone not having that update already, doesn't the 3Ds check for it?

@romanista
For someone who plans to get Pokémon games in the future, but doesn't have them yet, they likely didn't get the update yet.
Old Pokémon games are still ever-popular - secondhand Pokémon games are some of the most sought-after Nintendo DS games around, so I expect X and Y to have a healthy fanbase for the forseeable future.

@Gwynbleidd
I will keep my stance to stay original for my 3DS machines and the games.
I started to play original for the first time from 3DS so I will not break my rules.
I have downloaded the updates from 3DS eshop for 3DS games I will buy in the future as it supposed to do.
I will not changed my mind.

@Anti-Matter lol You enjoy your stance on staying original, while the rest of us, enjoy not losing our games due to Nintendo closing shop.

Emulation and jailbreaking are preserving games.

@EarthboundBenjy Yes i understand, but will those people will really helped by this 'psa', they will update when they buy the game.. (let's hope there wil still be a server to update from)...

One of the funniest takes on emulation I am constantly seeing is people thinking they are some sort of big game preservers because they are emulating a game that sold millions of copies.

@Anti-Matter Jailbreaking is not necessarily piracy. Yes, some people use it for piracy, but many do not. You can dump your cartridge games to a digital format and play them without the cartridge! You can install custom themes! You can transfer and backup save data! Jailbreaking allows you to do whatever the 3ds can do that Nintendo doesn't let you do.

@Gwynbleidd The sovereignty of a nation cannot and should not even try to overrule the sovereignty of an actual living being, as long as those living beings don't try to overrule each others sovereignty, or explicitly and willingly, free from any manipulation and in sober mind, allow their own to be governed. Hence why I live in 'poverty' (but never felt richer), vegan, straight edge,... sober and sovereign in nature as far as that is possible thus far and still working on it, but sometimes we just do need some community. It is also a natural concept, unlike politics and voting (signing a vow of silent acceptance) for false 'representatives' and all that.

In this context, the reason I brought this up, 'jailbreaking' is a perfect term, as it means you take the freedom that was taken from you, and if your own sovereign mind and heart tell you piracy is fine, which is easily arguable in both ways, (my test is always reversing the roles in my mind and heart, and experiencing how I feel from the other perspectives) don't let the ones who pirate the planet and your sovereign mind tell you that you stole from them because they outlaw something under the name 'piracy'. Piracy means you take what is of someone else. But just because nobody makes profit doesn't mean you've taken theirs, it might as well mean they didn't profit on your loss, so basically you didn't allow them to take yours. If you have strong feelings about copying 'intellectual property' for personal use, follow them, and live in a world where what you sent out might return to you. Just don't apply double standards, do no harm, and don't allow harm to be done to you. That's what I live by at least. I have no flag, but if I had one, it would be black, but without skull and bones.

There's a lot of very interesting dialogue to be had about these matters and how they work both ways far beyond the topics usually discussed on a Nintendo forum, but yeah, we're still on a Nintendo forum so I'll leave it at that.

A lot of the updates are essential. One in particular that is very essential is the Animal Crossing New Leaf updates, it adds the Welcome amiibo extras into the game and without this update everyone would have to buy the Welcome amiibo physical copy of New Leaf making the original print lacking in content.

Wow, this is pretty crazy.

@KateGray Come to think of it, wouldn't it be the same case for Wii U games?
How do we update the Wii U games we don't yet own?

@Chibi_Manny I don't have my Wii U with me, or I'd put together something! I can see if someone on staff can work one up

@kingv84
normies like @Anti-Matter are part of the problem.
They are so used to digital consumerism degeneracy, they will continue to venerate nintendo for being anti-consumer d*cks.
Hacking and piracy will always prevail for game preservation and freedom.

@pilonium64
What do you mean by problem?
I just want to have my games and the machine stay in original state.
I played the games just the way it is, with original retail copy, bought legally with my money, no pirates games, no CFW.

@Chibi_Manny
If I remembered correctly, when I inserted Skylanders Superchargers Wii U version disc, the game will download the update automatically if your Wii U get connected to internet.
As I browsed Wii U eshop page, I didn't find any app icon of updates that you can download them for free like 3DS updates.
I'm afraid you need the actual disc to get the update automatically from Wii U eshop once you inserted onto your Wii U machine.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks for this, I have a couple still sealed to update, but maybe as mentioned it won't be forever.

I am one of those that has multiple 3DS's (one I need to replace nub as was in first batch where it was really taut, and original faulty internet slider).

Does anyone know if transfer to another 3DS is tied to the eshop somehow? If another defect comes up, but New 3DS seems to be where its at build quality wise I think.

@Anti-Matter
Yes. That what we are all supposed to do.
now, if you purchased Super Mario Bros 1 on the Switch, then Nintendo decide to shutdown the store for the Switch,
Then the new console comes, will you re-purchase again the same game ?
CFW would allow me to backup the game I purchased. I'd choose CFW any time of the day.

@pilonium64
I played my games in physical, not by digital.
I will not put CFW on my 3DS machines.
Don't care about CFW.
I will keep my 3DS being original.

@Mikmoomamimocki
But I don't want to do jailbreak.
It's not something right to do for me.
I will not try to hack my 3DS machines for whatsoever reason.
I'm happy with my original 3DS machines and genuine 3DS catridges.

@Piyo
What? I'm sorry, but what's your mindset about this?

I also think that day one patches are stupid, but really? You refuse to play any game with a day-one patch?

@Anti-Matter
but also you can use a modded 3ds as a normal one. Just letting you know.

The minecraft 3ds 1.9 patch is needed because it adds a lot of stuff other versions of minecraft have.

@SwitchForce IDK

maybe all?

@Piyo Speaking as someone who has delved heavily enough into Indie game development, you obviously don't quite understand how hard it is to make a good game that doesn't ever have future updates/patches and the sweat and huge amounts of time it takes to make a polished product without any visible or invisible bugs. This comment is just irrational, silly, and quite frankly, vague of mind. Very disconnected and lacks insight into the slave-driving process of making today's games, and your expectations are foolish.

@Piyo Ah, I see what you mean. Yeah, I hate that as well. Sadly, what you are saying does happen more often than it used to and that along with quick money grabs is exactly why I play more older games now, or more indie steam games than ever. Games that can be often overlooked by the majority.