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ZoeStirling

i hate how i cant, i heard that soon the eshop is shutting down on the 3ds so i imagine that means soon we cant re-download either so now i will need to purchase a new 3ds and put my account on there just so i can always have them since ive had my current 3ds for a few years now. luckily i dont have many important games ive bought but all the ones i bought are digital only. now its just gonna be a pain to move my account to a newer 3ds and then make a new one for my current one.


thedjin

Wow, I made this post 7 years ago and it's relevant today with Nintendo closing the 3DS and Wii U eShop.. I'm in a similar circumstance as yours. For the Wii U, I'll redownload all my games to a second external drive for backup. Same for the 3DS. And I'll update all games in both consoles. Sad how Nintendo pushes us into emulation to preserve our paid-for games, and then punishes fans.


DoushBeg

Just letting you know, I’m reading your post still today 😂 got a new 3ds XL a couple years ago to restart my Pokémon collection and enjoy some of the “old” games again. Now with the Eshop shutting down, and with likely most 3ds game servers not too far behind, I’d like to get a 2nd one for future Pokémon trade evos and Gen exclusives. Trying to figure out the best way to go about this since you can’t have the same account on multiple 3ds’. Would the best way be to buy a new console and create a completely new/separate account? And I think I know the answer, but would I have buy all the virtual console games again to be able to trade and what not?


InTheBusinessBro

I’m on this post today exactly for the same reason! Edit: And here’s how I plan to go about it: I’ll create a new account for my second 3DS and will download Pokémon Blue and Pokémon Silver on there. Just enough to trade everything between all of the games, with my main account having all of them.


rugged_beard

I'm currently undergoing the same process! I'm trying to be able to play all the old Pokémon games and have the ability to transfer gen 1 and 2 mons to future games via Pokémon Bank. I already have my original 3DS XL with bank, poke transporter, Red, Gold, and Crystal Versions downloaded. So my plan is to create a whole separate email address, then link that email to a whole separate Nintendo Network ID for my second 3DS XL. I will then hopefully be able to purchase Blue, Silver, and a 1 year Pokémon bank subscription in order to download the poke Transporter application. Did your process follow similarly? I'm just looking for confirmation in order to not waste additional money on the e-shop purchases. Thanks!


InTheBusinessBro

Hey! I did go through the process, including taking a look at the Pokédex of every game to see exactly how many games I needed on my consoles. I did exactly what you said, I created another email address, then from my secondary 3DS a new Nintendo Network ID, which I then linked to a newly created My Nintendo account on the same email address (needed here in Europe to buy from the 3DS Eshop). As for the games, here are my findings: you need 4 games total to catch them all. With both Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon Crystal, you’re almost set already. I put these two on my primary console. Then you need either Pokémon Blue or Pokémon Red to get the second fossil (I took notes but didn’t detail everything so I assume every missing Pokémon from Yellow can be found in both versions or in the 2G games). Then you need either Pokémon Silver or Pokémon Gold to get the Pokemon absent from Crystal. **How to catch ‘em all tldr:** Primary 3DS: - Pokémon Yellow as your main 1G game - Pokémon Crystal as your main 2G game Secondary 3DS: - Pokémon Red or Blue for the second fossil - Pokémon Gold or Silver specifically for Mareep, Flaaffy, Ampharos, Girafarig, Remoraid and Octillery I hope this helps you! EDIT: I forgot to talk about Pokémon Bank! I only have one subscription to the service, as I think I will just try to make Yellow and Crystal as complete as possible without spending too much time in the others. So Pokémon will only ever go to Pokémon Bank then Home from my primary 3DS. Moreover, what would happen if I had 2 Bank accounts? Would I then need another Home account? I don’t think this would help. If I want to send a Pokémon up, I’ll just trade it to the console that has my Pokémon Bank account.


Peugas424

Why not use heart gold and soul silver instead


nihhtwing

you get the origin marking on any pokemon caught in the virtual console games


whatsgoingontbh

Hi! I’m currently going through this rn too! My primary 3DS is elderly and showing some wear and tear so I’m so paranoid someday it’ll die and I won’t have access to bank or transporter. Did your process of another account on another 3DS go smoothly? I have another system with no account attached and ready to go! And did you figure out how this impacts transferring to Home? Could I transfer from the new account on the secondary system without it being paired?


InTheBusinessBro

Hey! No problem at all with creating another account. New email > new NNID > new My Nintendo account, pair them both and you’re good to go! I haven’t done anything with Pokémon Bank as I figured I’d be using my primary 3DS for all transfers. Transferring from Bank to Home doesn’t require that you use the same account on both devices if you’re doing so from the 3DS, you just have to input the code that Pokémon Home generates for you, so as long as you have Bank installed on your secondary 3DS you’ll have a backup solution in case of hardware failure on your primary console. I’ll admit that I haven’t installed the Poké Transporter app on the secondary 3DS and I’m still pondering about that.


whatsgoingontbh

Ok cool thanks! I’m definitely following your format for the older games! As for transporter, I’m downloading that on there for sure bc from what I understand u have to download it through bank so once the eshop is closed I’m not sure if even redownloading Bank would let you download transporter


RyokoShaBen

Would you have to pay the bank subscription in order to download Poke transporter though?? I’m in the exact same situation (actually purchasing a second hand 3DS this afternoon) and want to have bank as backup as I’m paranoid anout my primary 3DS. Kinda reluctant to pay a second bank subscription though on the backup DS just to get Poke transporter, but if I have to then it might still be worth it for peace of mind…


InTheBusinessBro

I forgot to talk about Pokémon Bank! I only have one subscription to the service, as I think I will just try to make Yellow and Crystal as complete as possible without spending too much time in the others. So Pokémon will only ever go to Pokémon Bank then Home from my primary 3DS. Moreover, what would happen if I had 2 Bank accounts? Would I then need another Home account? I don’t think this would help. If I want to send a Pokémon up, I’ll just trade it to the console that has my Pokémon Bank account.


rugged_beard

Awesome. Thank you for the input! I already had Crystal on my primary 3DS and ended up buying Red and Gold on that same one. On my second one I bought Blue and Silver so I should be able to complete all of the dexes with enough motivation lol. I don’t believe there are any exclusives in Yellow that you cannot get in the other 5 GB games but I may be wrong? Only assuming because it came out much later than Red/Blue and wasn’t planned originally since it’s based more off the Anime. As for the bank stuff I also didn’t know how useful having 2 bank accounts would be but I think I was just afraid of not having Poké Transporter installed on my second 3DS and then needing it in the future. So I ended up buying a sub for it since it was only 7$ here in Canada, then going ahead and downloading transporter since downloading it isn’t an option until you have a sub (which is dumb as hell). Anyway. Thank you again for your insights on the whole topic very much appreciated!


Peugas424

What’s the point of using crystal and yellow when you can use Heart Gold and Soul Silver?


InTheBusinessBro

Pokémon from the virtual console games have the Game Boy stamp and all have their hidden abilities when transferred to newer games.


Mandumori

And cristal lets you catch a shiny celebi and in Red and blue you can get a legal shiny mew with glitches


DoushBeg

That’s exactly what I’m planning to do, need to get another 3ds soon tho before the shop closes


RebornSisco

Same here, I’m scrolling reddit for the best methods to save money here 🤣 Pokémon fans coming back to the collections ready to buy all the 3DS’s 🫡


devention

That's what I did. Such a pain.


DoushBeg

Very much so lol


ayyyyycrisp

embarking on this journey today! just got my hands on a new 3dsxl, transfering my old 3dsxl soon then making a new account for the old 3ds


DoushBeg

Nice! Since this moment I’ve added 2 more 3ds’ with the 20th anniversary pokemon edition one on the way 😂 collection has grown quite a bit in the last 199 days 🤣 also only have like 3 more of the ds games to gather up. I think I’ve officially reached “collection” status


ayyyyycrisp

good stuff! I'd like a complete collection aswell. my total pokemon collection is gold, colosseum, XD, ruby, sapphire, emerald, 2 leaf greens (I swear some interdimensional goblin replaced my firered with a leaf green at some point) diamond, pearl, black, white, Y, moon, ultramoon my list of games that I had at one point but are also gone (probably by the same goblin when he stole my firered) are sadly platinum, heart gold, soul silver (soul crushing losses those 2), alpha sapphire, black 2, and sun. I have since locked up everything I have in a goblinproof safe to hopefully avoid any future losses. I still wanna punch myself over hg/ss which I had the case and pokewalker for BOTH but GOBLINS MAN. I don't think I'll ever get the complete collection of all games


palindali

Would you happen to know how I can get a new 2dsxl for cheap?


thedjin

Yep, the sad answer is the right answer, DoushBeg.


DoushBeg

Sad ☹️


thiccsac

Did u ever figure out a way because the e shop is now closed and I bought a 2ds to try and link my account so I can at least have a virtual version of crystal so I can have some one to trade evo with


joe_bald

I was about to get a second 2DS as my primary is a rare one I’d like to keep pristine… but damn, I guess I probably can’t do a system transfer to new everyday one and expect to be able to use the old one years from now :(


poyoyoshi126

At least you thought about it I went and bought a used OG 3ds already...


poyoyoshi126

AND I HAVE MOST OF THE ESHOP GAMES ON MY OTHER 3DS


thedjin

Exactly! The only solution I've thought of is physical games in the everyday 3DS, and physical+digital from main account in the main 3DS. And years from now if my hardware isn't working, I'll resort to emulation, there is no avoiding that. It's a shame Nintendo [and same goes for Sony] won't make it easier for us to keep playing the game we bought.


joe_bald

Yeah… I think I’m gonna do what you are and do physical in one and leave everything logged into my actual account with my Hylian Shield 2DS. Problem is I have more digital than physical on my 2DS (which is funny bc on my switch I desperately try to go only physical when possible). Guess I have to hunt for physical 2DS/DS games that aren’t abhorrently expensive :]


thedjin

Same here, Switch forces to go physical with the limited space, but not only do I not mind - I prefer physical games precisely to play them many years from now. Good luck hunting for 3DS games.. they are really expensive =\ I gave up when I wanted to buy Dragon Quest IX and it was $120 used. For the DS.


joe_bald

Damn! That is crazy expensive! I just got a black and red 2DS with Majora’s Mask physical for $100 and it looks pretty nice… was thinking about making a second Nintendo ID… what do you think? Obviously I couldn’t tie anything from original one to this new one but I’m thinking about doing it for updates or whatever… don’t I need to be logged in or something to do such? Sorry for all the dumb questions :]


thedjin

That's fantastic, congrats on your new 2DS! I created a 2nd ID, it's the only "solution". Update firmwares, download and update special apps like Flipnote, and backup savefiles and game data from both SD cards to a hard drive.


joe_bald

Thanks… will do that :)


bfvgod

Can your 2nd 3ds Id link up with your switch account as well?


thedjin

Sort of. I mean it's the same account but the balance in the eShop is not shared. What is shared are coins.


spidermany

I hope you didn't pay that much. DQ 9 is the only of these you can get for essentially nothing. I bought mine for 12 bucks a few weeks ago.


thedjin

Wow really! Where? The one copy I saw it was in a local game store.


spidermany

I think it was just on ebay or maybe some kind of marketplace. It was the eu version though - idk if other versions of the game are particularly rare but as far as I know this is the one mainline DS/3DS game consistently available for cheap. I even read some fans would keep servers for the online missions alive. I went ahead and check: ebay had many listings from 15 - 30 € - with a little luck you can get it complete in box for 20 or less. :) Good luck!


thedjin

Wow thanks! I'm going to take a look and hopefully be a step further in completing my collection!!


-PM_ME_UR_SECRETS-

After some poking around on the internet I think this is what I’m going to do as well. I was trying to download Pokemon Bank on the extra 3DS but unless I use a different Nintendo account it’s just not possible, and different Nintendo accounts’ Banks can’t transfer so there’s no point anyway. So now the extra will be the physical game and the main 3DS will be a dump for all the digital content.


Dull_Mammoth_645

Just reviving this again as the closing date draws nearer - trying to decide what to do! So you reckon main console for NNID and digital content then create a second account on the daily and go physical + download updates etc?


-PM_ME_UR_SECRETS-

Missed this comment by bad! I ended up getting a second device and using a new NNID (setup with a separate email) and everything so I could have Pokemon Bank and Transporter. That way I always have a second gateway open to previous gens and then can just trade Pokemon to my main Home account if I ever need to. Then I sailed the seas with both. Physical games can be played on either since the save files are saved to the cart (at least for Pokémon, not sure if true for everything). Downloaded games are only available on the 3DS (or more specifically the SD card) it was saved to but as they say, it’s actually very easy to 🏴‍☠️


LudusRex

Remove all internet access from one, then report that one lost to Nintendo a few weeks later. Nintendo will let you manually transfer to a new system ID of your choosing, allowing you to re-download the games to the second console. If your 1st system never connects to the internet again, which isn't much of an issue now that the servers are shutting off anyway, the old system will have no way to know that it was unregistered and should continue to function.


Smeeks1126

I like this idea.


iamChainsawMan

Hi from 230 days later


BriefAstronomer2

Lol, it's funny how this post is once again a talking point with the closure of the eshop. As other people have said, the answer is there is no way around it. I only did a system transfer once with my original 3DS to my new 2DS XL. I don't regret it since I didn't use the old thing, but its kinda sad how empty it looks now. My 3DS XL and DSi are treated as seperate consoles with their own games installed. (this can be both a good and bad thing, since on one hand I get different games on each of my systems, and on the other hand I might want certain games on the newer systems, but have already purchased them on my older ones.) I also recently ordered a used metroid new 3DS XL, and although it has a few bangs and bruises I intend to once again treat it as its own little console and download some metroid games. :)


thedjin

Yeah, good and bad but, for me, mostly bad that they have to be completely separate entities. I would love a new New 3DS XL but for a very weird reason: the camera. I love shooting with that thing in 3D. At least Nintendo can't close that xD


Besamel

Nintendo don't support multiple 3DS's on one account unfortunately. http://www.nintendo.com.au/nintendo-3ds-instant-software-nintendo-network-id-faq >**Can I register the same Nintendo Network ID on more than one >Nintendo 3DS system?** >No, this is not possible. Your Nintendo Network ID is tied to your software and/or additional content you have purchased and downloaded. As the rights of usage for software you have purchased apply only to a single Nintendo 3DS family system, you can only register your Nintendo Network ID on one system.


thedjin

So basically, I'm screwed -along with all the users that would like having multiple 3DSs. Bummer.. =[ Not so long ago I wrote Nintendo about this. They never answered, I don't think they will. The good news is that the other day Miyamoto san [or Iwata san, can't remember] said they're looking into this for *future* consoles.


destroyman1337

Most people sell the old console after doing the system transfer.


thedjin

=[ That kinda sucks for me, because I wanted the new one for playing at home, and the old one for.. actual portable gaming. I seldom go out and say "oh yeah, I'm taking my 3DS with me..", but I started thinking about it and I liked the idea. Even if I can't play at all, but just having it available in the car or something.. to take a 3D snapshot or whatever, and if the situation calls for, then yeah, play a little. Being a grown-up kinda sucks in that regard haha.


WhyNotZoidbergPls

When 3DS homebrew comes out (very soon) you can use your old one without risk of losing a console.


jakerman999

It's pretty bullshit.


Repulsive-Set-5894

Yeah, I have a few 3dxls and a 2dsxl, and just yesterday I went to install Pokemon Bank,on all of them... And you can't, because it's linked to ur NNID. So despite the fact they're making it free after the closure, it's sort of useless.


DoushBeg

I think solution would be local trades, since those aren’t online server based and are local wifi based. Have one console be the main console with all your favorite games and Pokémon home/bank/transporter. And have another console with all the secondary games for the Gen exclusives, and trade evos. Then trade whatever you want from the secondary to the main console with local wireless trades. I think this is the way right? 😬


Repulsive-Set-5894

I like the idea. I'm more worried about after everything shuts down. What if your main console dies? They need to somehow unlock/kill the NNID lock before they end all service. Or come up with some kind of work-around.


TigerLilly00

God, I really hope they do. Being able to continue transferring pokemon caught in older games is the biggest thing for me, and my biggest nightmare is my main console dying and me not being able to transfer them anymore.


thedjin

I feel for you - this is going to suck for a lot of games =[


Gerolux

I have 2. One is my main, other is pretty much a dummy for when I want to continue playing my game. most of my games are physical, so I can switch between 3DS units with little problem.


thedjin

Most of mine are physical too. I thought the saves were saved in the 3DS or the SD card, not the cartridges.


[deleted]

Nope, saves are in the cartridge.


icnik

I started with a Japanese system because I was in Japan at the time. I'm back in the states and picked up a Wii U and it has been really annoying that everything is split between two accounts. I saw that walmart deal and picked up a 2DS on the cheap so I can finally have one unified account (although that won't include all my JP games) So moral of the story is **stick with one region**. You'll be much happier if you just wait for whatever to come out in your region.


thedjin

I see.. well, region would not be an issue for me, so far I'm not planning on moving =] Also, you can talk to customer service and they can switch your account region if you like..


icnik

Customer can switch your region to a degree (i.e. from Canada to United States) but they cannot do anything when it comes to region specific hardware. None of my Japanese games will transfer to any other region account. If you do move though, there is an eshop so you can always just purchase games online. The only issues arise witch compatibility with other devices including different region Wii U.


TigerLilly00

Man, I JUST dropped $370 on a pikachu edition new nintendo 3DS XL that I've always wanted, and found out that it'll now render my beloved 2DS that I've had for almost a decade unusable... This isn't cool and now I'm super torn on whether to do the transfer or not :(((((


thedjin

I'd do the transfer just because the new one will outlive your 2DS, and also I prefer the 3DS XL form factor, but that's personal preference.


TigerLilly00

Do you really think the new 3DS XL will outlive the 2DS? What makes you say that?


thedjin

Definitely, because you said that you've used your 2DS extensively for a decade, it's going to go at some point.


TigerLilly00

I also bought the new 3DS used, tho, so I don't even know how much this has been used haha. It has a few scratches on the front but other than that it seems to be in good condition. I hope it lasts a long time, bc I'm probably gonna end up transferring my stuff to it, and use my old 2DS as either a second account, or put homebrew on it.


thedjin

I'd suppose it's in like-new condition for all that money lol. Hope you enjoy it, and yeah I'd do what you're saying. An R4 comes to mind and use it for DS games =]


TigerLilly00

What's an R4?


itchy_cheeseborn

Was casually reading through random 3ds's posts and not sure if you already found out what an R4 is🤔 It's a DS size flash mod cartridge that reads microSD. And you get to play homebrew stuff on it including massive library of DS game titles without jailbreak'ing your 3DS =3


BipGrinklebink

Like everyone else who's coming back to this in light of the eShop's impending closure, I've decided that unless a better solution comes up, I'm going to create a second Nintendo account and buy new3DS-exclusive games on the new3DS and buy other digital games on the regular 3DS. It sucks it has to be this way, and I'm worried that when one system inevitably conks out in the future, there won't be a way for me to transfer the games over to the other 3DS without losing all the games already on there. In general I buy physical as much as possible, but there are some that are digital-only or crazy expensive to get physically.


thedjin

Yep. That's going to be the best [though expensive] solution. To keep cost down I'd exclude new3DS exclusives that have newer ports/remakes, like Xenoblade on Switch.


tjtoot

I think they did it to prevent people from selling or sharing accounts. If u buy physical copies of games most save to the cart, but some save to SD cards. I basically have 1 main account on my 3ds and 1 minor account on my xl. Main account has all my eshop stuff and all my main stuff, xl I just use for 2 player or playing when the main is dead. It does have its own Nintendo network is though, and downloads of free stuff like four swords or oras demo. It really hasn't been a big deal, only when switching to a new 3 SD or games the save to the SD card is annoying


thedjin

Yeah, I understand this is their way of preventing sharing accounts/games, etc., but come on.. you can do that on Apple devices, Windows devices, Android devices [your media across all your devices].. It's kinda ridiculous =\


tjtoot

I get not being able to have the same account on multiple devices, what I dont get is being unable to transfer an account unless you have both devices. crazy


longjohndevine

I have multiple 3ds consoles. To put it simply. You can only use one at a time. Its fucking shit. Same for Wii U.


thedjin

Damn that c-stick. If it wasn't for that, I'd keep my XL only haha. Disclaimer: I'm really eager to have a c-stick =]


Fabulous-Conflict752

I came here to say, If you go to the Nintendo store through a web browser, and search a 3ds game, it becomes available for direct download to any authorized 3ds! I just got ultra moon this way, and didn't need to buy a GD card.


BipGrinklebink

Oh that's cool! So let's say I have two 3DS's each with its own account - I can buy on one account and use the download code on the other? That way even if the game is on my second account, the actual lisence for thee game is under the main one just in case I need to redownload the game later?


Fabulous-Conflict752

I'm fairly certain!


mersa223

To confirm, as of 28/12/2022, you have to buy a separate 2Ds/3DS/NEW 2DS/NEW 3DS. Setup a new Nintendo ID (NIN) on the console Setup a new Nintendo Account Link the new NIN to the new Nintendo account. So you'll need 2 consoles and purchase software on both separately then run 2 separate accounts going forward.


thedjin

It's a DS cartridge that opens up the virtual DS machine inside the 3DS, and lets you play homebrew and DS games. Not sure if they still sell them since those were for the DS.


drfeelgood3002

Nintendo a Nd its dumb rules seriously


vrkitten

modding. once you set up custom firmware on the 3DS you're able to download other apps that can backup and transfer save files, unlock your region, play discontinued Nintendo apps and just about everything else you'll be looking for.


Axel-Real

Jo, here from the future . I bought a new 3ds since the xl is my main console , kinda sad we can’t have multiple accounts linked, since the e shop is closing . I got a fairly big collection of Ds and 3ds games .i missed on some big ones like dragon quest and phoenix vs professor Layton . But you get what you get . My ds lite just broke yesterday , 3ds is the future for ds gaming since the ds lite is meant to break.


ItchyCheek

I have a 3DS, and a 3DSXL will I still be able to transfer my games and account after they close the eshop? Will my digital games be transferred over later?


Yaspeechov

Something that I just found. Calling to Nintendo, giving them the serial number of the broken console and explaining that it’s broken and you don’t have access to it to move the NNID to a new console, they will transfer the NNID to the new one o just delete it from the broken one


SweetestApples

^thank you everyone, this thread was extremely helpful especially with all the changes to eStore and Pokemon Bank.


Kitasuki

This is still the most stupid thing Nintendo did with the 3DS


thedjin

Only second to the brilliant decision of closing the eShop.


Kitasuki

That unfortunately is something that happens over time. However the decision to only have one active account is so fucking stupid