Super Mario 3D Land comes with new 3DS firmware

by Ben Gilbert on Nov 3rd 2011 11:34AM

Japanese Super Mario 3D Land carts have started dropping into 3DS slots, and early reports from the country indicate that the game comes packed with brand new firmware for the system. What does the firmware update do, you wonder? Apparently, it makes the portable's friends list a bit more functional -- a button will now allow you to join a friend's game in progress. It seems that the update isn't an early release of the upcoming November one, which brings a variety of features.

The firmware update also adds a modification to the console's ability to play flashcarts, a notorious game piracy culprit on portable consoles. Like most game-based firmware updates, the cart requires the update before allowing the user to access Super Mario 3D Land, so, uh, resistance is kinda futile. It's unclear whether the same firmware update will be present on US and EU carts when the game ships in the coming weeks, but we've asked Nintendo for clarification and will update the story if we hear back.

Source: NeoGAF, Tiny Cartridge

Tags: 3ds, firmware, firmware-update, friends-list, nintendo, nintendo-ead, super-mario-3d, super-mario-3d-land, super-mario-land-3d, update

Reader Comments (48)

Well, hope they are willing to release updates on every single cart... really???? why wasting time with that??? like if that would have worked before...........

@Hunter141072 Why not? They did it all the time with the PSP, launching new hit games that required you to update the firmware to the latest version before letting your play the game.

@Boomaga

yeah, and it was useful for??? really did the PSP stopped piracy with that??? i know what´s next " any try is better than none" but when any is nothing but adding thing that are a complete waste of time well, i don´t really know if there is a point to it. The only thing that ends up being is something annoying for the customers.

@Hunter141072 Oh yeah, piracy totally still ran wild! If anything, this deters piracy for... maybe 12-24 hours after the release of the game until pirates crack it, and then it's business as usual. Plus, unlike those so-called PSP "updates", at least this one seems to actually do something beneficial on the front end.

@Hunter141072

..... if the game is going to require your system be at software revision X then it should have that software revision on the cart. I'm essentially connected to the net 24/7/365 ..... but as shocking as it seems, lots of people aren't. Nor does everyone have ready access to hotspots.

Its not exactly like the 30MB that carts will need to dedicate to this is going to be back breaking.

@Scuffles

Wrong, i don´t agree with that because let´s face it, the only reason to update is to cover another hole for the pirates, it´s not like the game is going to have some new special effects or a video controller that needs you to update, piracy is the only reason. and the funny thing is that the only ones that are not hurt are teh pirates, if the want the game they´ll get it and play with it call it thru emulators or just ripping the game from the rom and eliminating the "check if the os is up to date" line. And yes as you said not all are connected to the internet 24/7 that´s a fact.

@Scuffles you should read the article before commenting. They said
"early reports from the country indicate that the game comes packed with brand new firmware for the system. " the update is on the cartridge.

@chinedooo
You should not quote an article that everyone can read right in front of them incorrectly.
"Apparently, it makes the portable's friends list a bit more functional -- a button will now allow you to join a friend's game in progress. "
He said it adds more then just a piracy block. Oh look, my friends list becomes BETTER!? I don't care about the piracy block, but now my friends list isn't just a tease to let me know that my friend is playing DoA and I can't play with him.

@Hunter141072

Dude, the 3DS isn't cracked wide open yet. If everyone's on updated firmware, this makes it a lot harder to do. Besides, PSP had all kinds of crazy Custom Firmware and downgraders and patches to get games working on 1.5. I don't think the 3DS has reached that stage yet (and I doubt it ever will).

Ignoring the PS3, look at how well this strategy worked on both the PS3 and the 360. JTAGs and Jailbreaks are both rather rare.

@Hunter141072
Just suck it up and update.

@Hunter141072
That's why this patch adds new features to the 3DS so it onyl hurts the pirates. Pirates wont be able to fully enjoy the 3DS.
Also, this patch comes installed on the cart, so if you don't have the internet it can update for you. I just wish the patch would come out here before then, so I could update and play before I pick it up.

@Esposch
'Ignoring the PS3, look at how well this strategy worked on both the PS3 and the 360. JTAGs and Jailbreaks are both rather rare.
Reply'

Your definitly lacking on facts. jtag are easier than ever to aqquire due to the new glitch hack. you can jtag a slim 360. Simple modchip and its running homebrew. There's also some hardware coming out for the ps3 to downgrade the system firmware.

@Esposch

>working on 1.5. I don't think the 3DS has reached that stage yet (and I >doubt it ever will).

yeah, that´s what they used to say about the ps3 "pirate proof"

Ignoring the PS3, look at how well this strategy worked on both the PS3 and the 360. JTAGs and Jailbreaks are both rather rare.

the only thing that it did was to force pirates to buy two 360 in order to play, one modded for the pirate copies and the other for the few online titles that pirates actually buy, remember just because you don´t see it doesn´t mean it didn´t happen........and for the ps3, just check the news of any cracked game for the ps3, there are many copies who have been adapted to work with the old versions of the system, as i said there is ALWAYS a way, nothing is unbeatable, specially in the world of computer "security".

So basically, instead of letting people with flash carts buy your game, you stop them by forcing an update on them. The flash carts are excellent tools that let you carry your entire collection everywhere.

The same thing happens on the Wii. I hacked it to play Xenoblade, but discs force updates on me, so I have to download a copy after I purchase my own all the time. I don't believe everyone is willing to pay after they've already pirated though.

This isn't much better than DRM. Pirates aren't hurt in the slightest, they just ignore the updates, don't pay for the game, and download it anyway. Paying customers are inconvenienced and end up being forced to pirate to continue what they're doing.

@Yuutuu

You are right, i´d rater have all my DS games on a SINGLE cart than carrying them all over. Portable system are the ones that would be more benefit of buying online, and i´m not talking of the current shop of the DS i´m talking about being able to buy all the major titles like in steam, would it be pirate proof?? of course not, NOTHING is unbeatable we know that, but i´m sure they´d get more customers if portables worked like that, instead of forcing you to buy every single cart and carry them all like small annoying bricks.

@Yuutuu

What? You're saying that a simple, short, one and done update is almost as inconveniencing as DRM?

And I may be a bit cynical, but I don't believe the good majority of people with flash carts for the DS don't just use it for homebrew/storing all the games you actually own. They're used for piracy and its a case of the vast majority hurting the minority.

@Suichimo
Updates on games in general, not just this one update. It doesn't matter which group is bigger regardless though. Its hurts actual pirates in no way, shape, or form because they just continue to pirate and ignore the updates.

@Hunter141072 I'm sorry for being a grammar nerd but can you please just use one question mark after questions? It's hard to take your point seriously when it looks like it was written by a 12 year old.

@Suichimo

That´s like saying: guns are used for killing people not for sports or "defense" as many say, the majority is being hurt but you still can buy them on the drugstore, the main idea of flashcarts is awesome, don´t tell me you don´t like the idea of having all the games in one single cart. True many use them for piracy, but the excuse that the majority is affected has never been a crucial point to stop something of existing. And as it has being said pirates are the LESS affected, just look at all the ps3 games that are available who "required" an update, for each one you can find you´ll find the cracked version that works without updates....

@Yuutuu

What are you using to launch imports on your Wii? The Configurable USB Loader that Joystiq highlighted in their tutorial will bypass any and all disc based updates, as well as allow you to back up your games. I imported a copy of Xeno and recently installed it to an external HDD, and it plays without the disc, along with my two Taiko No Tatsujin games.

Even just using the CFGUSB to launch a disc, it still bypasses the updates. Super Mario All Stars tried to update my system (odd, because it didn't try that before I hacked it), but the USB loader launched it just fine. If hackers find a way to do that with the 3DS, it will be exactly the same. Given Nintendo's track record with updates, these firmware revisions will wind up making it easier to hack, like the 4.3U Wii Update did.

@Hunter141072

No, its pretty much the exact opposite. The majority of people do use guns for sport and defense. The minority is the wackjobs who use them intentionally on others. However, its the majority of people that will use flash carts to pirate games while the minority uses it for homebrew and the ability to store multiple games on a single medium. Like I said, flash carts are an example of the majority hurting the minority. If all flash carts could be used for was keeping your legally owned games on a single medium, they'd be great.

Also, yes, I do like the idea of having everything in one nice spot. I don't think we're anywhere near that though, at least in the near future.

This isn't inconveniencing any legitimate purchaser though, hell this one is even adding to the 3DS' functionality. Its a small download that takes a few minutes that you have to perform once.

@Suichimo

Nice talking points but unless you have some kind of actual data its pretty obvious you are just assuming something you think to be true without any corroboration. I'm not even saying I disagree with the premise that the majority of people with flash carts are exclusively pirates but what evidence is there to support it?

@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell

Yeah, can't say the information is even there one way or the other. The best I could give is anecdotal and getting ratios of legitimate homebrew talk and piracy talk off of somewhere like GBA Temp.

Guess someone could always go to one of the rom sites that track their downloads and compare it to a large list of homebrew.

This screenshot reminded me of the tank levels jn Mario 3.....I can even remember the music

It's a him, Mario. Support the brother.

@CaptainProtonX
I can't stop reading that in his voice.

Well, at least they're adding new features alongside the futile DRM tactics. Although the 3DS has alot of room for new features.

This will be the first game I truly want to buy for my 3DS. Star Fox and Zelda are cool but I have more or less played them before. So far I have just bought the cheapest game I could find that's decent... Rider Racer 3D for $20. :|

I am a sucker for Mario, but this one looks fantastic.

Whoa, hold on here.

The 'sources' have absolutely nothing to say regarding any flashcart issues. Did you omit sources, Joystiq, or did you just fabricate news to incite more hits?

@Muu

Oops, must have skimmed the second one too quickly.

Nevertheless, not much of a news since flashcarts don't exist for 3DS and only the DS. Hope it stays that way so Robin Hoods of the world over actually learn to pay for goods.

@Muu
There is a 3DS flash cart but it only plays DS games. Not even DSiWare games. Just simple DS games. Basically if the 3DS didn't have DS support this cart wouldn't work.

@Muu

How long before we see 3DS flash cart equivalents?

@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell

From what I heard, it could be a long time, as in up to 5–10 years, but extenuating circumstances could speed the process up. I'm not really "in the know" so I don't know how reliable that information is.

This headline would have been a lot better if it hadn't tacked the word "firmware" onto the end.

"Join a friends game in progress"

FINALLY.

Now we just need a way to invite people and send messages.

@CaramelZappa Sometime this month, it'll be good to go.

As long as it is a firmware upgrade similar to the old PSP ones(i.e. adding functionality features, new options, security, etc), then I welcome it. I'm also assuming this firmware will be available to those not purchasing the game too -- like the Wii, when it had updates.

Not related to the article, but Joystiq, you iPhone app is now glitchy to the point of being borderline unusable. PLEASE update.

@gatotsu911 Same with the android app

@gatotsu911

Ditto with the Ngage app...

@gatotsu911

Yeah the app seems to do that every 4-6 weeks. You click on an article and you actually get the one below it, a server not responding error or the thing just straight crashes.

No biggie. There's no 3DS-compatible flash cart yet anyway.

(Yes, I know that old DS flash carts work, but they can't play 3DS games).)

We update almost daily on steam,xbox,ps3,wii,psp...heck my phome updates stuff all the time...I guess its all to fight piracy as well?

Soooo, will the SM3DL Rom also have the updat?, wouldn't that send the system into an infinate loop?

3DS isn't cracked, this is to try and plug up the DS side of things I think.

Nintendo unlike Sony has had a very credible and held standard for anti-piracy so far on two fronts. DSiware to start and they expanded it deeper with more stuff on 3DS. The 3DS cards also are using a heavier set of encryption rules and routines like the downloads have and have so far stopped people from getting a free ride.

I fully support it and I'm glad they're doing it, and as a former PSP owner it's good to put the patches on discs as it saves time and helps push some good standards on a game which is known will move millions of units. The PSP was fantastic for me but piracy up until the 3000 unit later revision and the Go was murder, ran off developers and canned a lot of projects, and is why I sold it because I ran out of stuff to do (not because it sucked, I loved it.) If Nintendo is going to get Sony scroogy with updates I'm happy, they need to stamp this crap out as much as possible.

@TanookiSuit
"Nintendo unlike Sony has had a very credible and held standard for anti-piracy so far on two fronts."

So we're just going to ignore the Wii, one of the most easily pirated consoles ever made?

@CaramelZappa

Sure why not? It's a learning curve, DSi and 3DS came after, and each time they've locked down the integrity o the system more and more each time. Also the Wii was easily pirated on DISC, not so much with the downloads now was it?

This is so pointless. I mean yeah you're trying to stop piracy, great. Except theres barely anything worth pirating on the 3DS in the first place right now. Maybe in another few years this would've been a good move. But right now? Nah...

Now hurry up and release a NEW Zelda for 3DS along with Fire Emblem, Kirby, and others.

Super Mario 3D Land

Super Mario 3D Land comes with new 3DS firmware

Reader Comments (48)

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 11:44AM Hunter141072 said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 11:49AM Boomaga said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 11:58AM Hunter141072 said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 12:02PM Boomaga said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 12:53PM Scuffles said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 1:17PM Hunter141072 said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 3:34PM chinedooo said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 3:52PM The Aquacharger said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 5:22PM Esposch said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 5:31PM ColorblindMonk said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 5:33PM The Aquacharger said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 8:14PM Gringowashere said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 8:49PM Hunter141072 said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 11:47AM Yuutuu said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 12:08PM Hunter141072 said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 12:22PM Suichimo said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 12:50PM Yuutuu said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 1:23PM bjb1990 said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 1:26PM Hunter141072 said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 1:41PM RenegadePanda said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 3:33PM Suichimo said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 5:14PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 6:02PM Suichimo said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 11:52AM Timjoy said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 11:54AM CaptainProtonX said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 2:02PM Smithsmithers said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 11:59AM MowDownJoe said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 12:06PM Chibi Chaingun said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 12:09PM Muu said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 12:12PM Muu said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 4:14PM The Aquacharger said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 5:17PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 9:29PM Ectoplasm said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 12:10PM ticklefist said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 12:43PM CaramelZappa said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 2:08PM ratchet92 said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 12:56PM foxhound said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 1:44PM gatotsu911 said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 2:24PM RasenganFury said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 2:29PM Chibi Chaingun said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 5:18PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 3:03PM EIranzer said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 3:40PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 6:27PM Trilancer said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 8:22PM TanookiSuit said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 9:30PM CaramelZappa said

Posted: Nov 4th 2011 1:29PM TanookiSuit said

Posted: Nov 3rd 2011 11:19PM YanDaMan said

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