Skip to main content

Zelda: A Link to the Past, Bravely Second out now for New 3DS

Bravely Second: End Layer – Overview Trailer
A trio of SNES classics hit New Nintendo 3DS portables this week as part of Nintendo’s latest eShop update, including all-time greats like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Super Metroid.

This week’s eShop lineup also hosts the launch of Square Enix’s portable RPG series sequel Bravely Second: End Layer, along with Wii U standouts like Paranautical Activity and Brain Age.

Starting today, New Nintendo 3DS owners can download The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Donkey Kong Country 2: Diddy’s Kong Quest, and Super Metroid from the eShop for $8 apiece. All three games are staples of the SNES console library, and were previously released via the Wii and Wii U’s Virtual Console service.

This week’s retro lineup bolsters the New Nintendo 3DS’s Virtual Console library following Nintendo’s recent introduction of SNES titles. The platform previously hosted emulated versions of 16-bit classics like Earthbound, Super Mario World, F-Zero, and Pilotwings.

Elsewhere on the eShop this week, Square Enix’s Bravely Second serves as a direct follow-up to 2014’s turn-based RPG Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, expanding on the original game’s structure with overhauled combat mechanics and redesigned characters. The game’s prologue chapter is currently available as a free demo via the eShop, allowing players to give the game a test drive and later carry over their progress to the full version.

Additional 3DS games premiering via the eShop this week include the strategy-RPG Langrisser Re:Incarnation, summer sports sim Super Strike Beach Volleyball, and Excave III: Tower of Destiny, a roguelike RPG in the vein of ChunSoft’s Mystery Dungeon series.

The Wii U also hosts a broad lineup of digital releases this week, including undersea shooter Paranautical Activity, turn-based RPG Asdivine Hearts, sketchpad puzzler Draw 2 Survive, and a Virtual Console adaptation of 2006’s Nintendo DS brain-training app Brain Age.

Editors' Recommendations

Danny Cowan
Danny’s passion for video games was ignited upon his first encounter with Nintendo’s Duck Hunt, and years later, he still…
Nintendo 2DS XL vs. Nintendo 3DS XL
new nintendo 2ds xl review 13703

Although the Nintendo Switch poses as a great portable console and reigns supreme in popularity, Nintendo isn't ready to let their handheld consoles fall to the side. Since the Switch's release, the 3DS has gotten a plethora of great games, including Metroid: Samus Returns, WarioWare Gold, Luigi's Mansion,Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga + Bowser's Minions, and Hey! Pikmin.

It wasn't a total surprise when Nintendo announced a new 3DS to add to their family of portable consoles. The Nintendo 2DS XL was announced just months after the initial release of the Switch. Additionally, Nintendo continued to provide support for its 3DS platform. Those of us who are in love with the Nintendo handheld consoles have a chance to continue to pick up these systems and find new games to explore.

Read more
The most common Nintendo 3DS problems, and how to fix them
common nintendo 3ds problems and how to fix them d72661797c228a53b550835a16f6ff6ed709e7e8

The 3DS is one of the best gaming consoles around, with a great library built up after nearly 10 years in circulation. But the system has also run into its fair share of technical hiccups over the years. There’s nothing worse than pulling out your favorite 3DS games, only to find the system doesn't work as expected, particularly when you aren't sure how to fix them.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of known technical issues 3DS owners have been dealing with, along with some steps you can take to fix or prevent them. Some of these only apply to a particular version of the system -- the original 3DS’ design is substantially different than the New 3DS XL, for instance -- while others are issues that occur across the entire 3DS family.
How to get in touch with Nintendo
 

Read more
Nintendo’s 3DS discontinuation marks the end of an era for handheld gaming
Person holding Nintendo 3DS in hands

While yesterday’s PlayStation 5 launch announcement marked an exciting moment for the future of gaming, Nintendo quietly put an end to the era of dedicated, portable gaming devices. The company confirmed that it has discontinued production of the Nintendo 3DS family of handhelds.

On paper, the decision is a no-brainer. The Nintendo Switch is a massive success for the company, bringing the worlds of console and handheld gaming together. While Nintendo maintained its position that the Switch was not a replacement for the 3DS over the years — reiterating that point last year when the Switch Lite launched — it had become increasingly clear that the 3DS was outdated within Nintendo’s new strategy.

Read more