3DS Ambassador NES Games Now Available, Predictably Annoying to Download

Come on Nintendo your better then that.

Yes the downloading method is a pain in the ....

They were not hard to acquire, however after the fact I wonder why I bothered.

They look horrible on the tiny 3DS screen. Waste of time, I'll never play them.

Yay! UK user who didn't log in during the "Ambassador" period but still got my ambassador games :) Good versions of classics for free = Win.

Can't say I found it to be annoying to download. Great ports!

thank for this

It's actually kind of understandable. They didn't want to figure out a way to put something in the store that some people could see but others couldn't based on nebulous criteria, so they just added the appropriate titles to every account that existed within the Ambassador period; what Patrick's pictures don't show is that you're "redownloading" games the system says you've already purchased. Essentially, as far as the store is concerned, they don't need to sell these items because everyone (who is entitled to them) has already bought them. It's just up to you to put them on your 3DS. They certainly could have advertised it better, or they could have had them all stacked together in one download. Or if they're going to issue updates for them later anyway, they could have had downloadable "vouchers" that were available for free in the store within the Ambassador period then pulled out when the period ended, which could then be updated into full games when they were (more or less) ready for release on September 1st.

Yoshi is fucking terrible.  Why isn't this Tetris Attack. They should release Tetris Attack again.

What a stupid way of doing it

@garnsr said:

Sony had a screwy way to get the free games after the PSN mess, Nintendo's got this weirdness, I wonder how it would work if there were anything free on 360?

They made a couple of games free because of XBL downtime before, and it was a simple case of going and downloading them.

I wouldn't say that this is a particularly bad system, but it's not as easy as it should be. It's another reminder of how far behind Nintendo are when it comes to online content.

Anyone who said you cannot save your games is an idiot.

That's funny...because I use my Gameboy Micro to play these same games...quickly and easily.

@Katkillad said:

So many crybabies. "Wahhhhh it took 15 extra seconds inbetween each download... of my FREE games, thanks for nothing Nintendo."

Nintendo has never been known for their ease of use for any of their online software so I don't know why anyone is surprised.

Lmfao are you fucking stupid? I paid 50 bucks for these lousy snes games that I already own. I don't even need to explain why :|

Downloaded them this morning, took about 10 mins tops (even on my slow ass work connection). Are you saying its hard Patrick? I understand that people would rather have a menu in the E-Shop but how do you hide that from users who are not part of the program? People get so wound up over nothing, i bet the same people complaining are the ones who thought the PS3 welcome back thing wasnt clear enough too...

So how about that internet eh, Nintendo? Don't think it'll stay forever?

Stop making half-assed services already.

Zelda 2 is the only "real" Zelda game I´ve never played for a significant time.. guess the sidescroller thing just put me off. Anyway, I can absolutely support any claim that states "X Zelda-title  is waay better than Majora´s Mask", because MM was kinda crappy (I hate games with a time limit).
 
Oh and: Free games. Get em.

It seems like they are up in Europe now too. I just got the 10 games added to my downloaded list.

Wow, that really is a giant pain in the ass. Gonna send this to all my 3DS-owning buds. 
 
Also:
@OriginalGman said:

Jeff is dead fucking wrong. As biased as I am towards 3D Zelda games, I love the classic ones just fine too. But any game that requires you to stumble through a dark cave BEFORE you find the damn candle that will illuminate it could never best Majora's unique time travel mechanic and crazy-ass characters. "I am error" does not beat a hand sticking out of a toilet asking you for something to wipe with.

People may have had trouble with Majora's Mask the first time they played it, but it still gives you some fucking context about what's going on and what you need to do, and it is totally beatable without a guide. The first Zelda gives you little direction, but you can do the dungeons in any order so long as you have a few items. Zelda II is like a pinata at a birthday party, except you were blindfolded across the street and there's heavy traffic and someone kicked you in the nuts. But hopefully candy will still come out.

Thanks for the heads up.

It's actually kind of understandable. They didn't want to figure out a way to put something in the store that some people could see but others couldn't based on nebulous criteria, so they just added the appropriate titles to every account that existed within the Ambassador period; what Patrick's pictures don't show is that you're "redownloading" games the system says you've already purchased. Essentially, as far as the store is concerned, they don't need to sell these items because everyone (who is entitled to them) has already bought them. It's just up to you to put them on your 3DS. They certainly could have advertised it better, or they could have had them all stacked together in one download. Or if they're going to issue updates for them later anyway, they could have had downloadable "vouchers" that were available for free in the store within the Ambassador period then pulled out when the period ended, which could then be updated into full games when they were (more or less) ready for release on September 1st.

 
Sony had a screwy way to get the free games after the PSN mess, Nintendo's got this weirdness, I wonder how it would work if there were anything free on 360?

Jeff is dead fucking wrong. As biased as I am towards 3D Zelda games, I love the classic ones just fine too. But any game that requires you to stumble through a dark cave BEFORE you find the damn candle that will illuminate it could never best Majora's unique time travel mechanic and crazy-ass characters. "I am error" does not beat a hand sticking out of a toilet asking you for something to wipe with.

People may have had trouble with Majora's Mask the first time they played it, but it still gives you some fucking context about what's going on and what you need to do, and it is totally beatable without a guide. The first Zelda gives you little direction, but you can do the dungeons in any order so long as you have a few items. Zelda II is like a pinata at a birthday party, except you were blindfolded across the street and there's heavy traffic and someone kicked you in the nuts. But hopefully candy will still come out.

Why in this day and age, especially with digital downloads that they do not come out worldwide at the same time. There is no excuse, all it does it make other users wait an extra day, making it slightly less enjoyable by the time they finally get a chance to play it.

I can't fathom how anyone can give a shit about NES classics these days after they've been available in ROM form for SO long. Super Mario Bros. 1? Really?

@RockmanBionics said:

Here's a few tips for playing Zelda 2 Patrick:

• Use your magic for more than the Life spell, it's not too awesome to use so If you run into a room with a bunch of tough enemies, use the 'Shield' spell to half all damage for the duration of the room, it's pretty cheap and basically gives you double your current health.
• The same goes for the 'Jump' spell. It's only required at a few points in the game but can make some hazardous platforming sections much more manageable.
• As soon as you get the downward thrust ability; ALWAYS BE DOWNWARD THRUSTING!
• All Dungeon entrances except for the white, green and final dungeon have a Darknut Statue that randomly spawns a Red Darknut or a Full Magic Jar when struck, and since it is at the very beginning of every dungeon it can be grinded until you have full health and magic (once you have the 'Life' spell).
• Putting in one of the crystals in the statue following each boss will fill your experience bar up to your next level. Don't use it if you're close to leveling and save the one in the first dungeon for the later levels. The bosses will not respawn.
• Don't TOUCH the bubbles!!

And with that, I wish you good luck!

He only needs one tip: Error is actually fundamental to your journey.

So many crybabies. "Wahhhhh it took 15 extra seconds inbetween each download... of my FREE games, thanks for nothing Nintendo."

Nintendo has never been known for their ease of use for any of their online software so I don't know why anyone is surprised.

those crap n64 Zelda games sucked balls and majora,s mask was one of the worst things Nintendo ever shot out of there ass. of course Zelda 2 is better Zelda has sucked since it left hthe snes 19 years ago.

Yoshi is fucking terrible.
 
Why isn't this Tetris Attack. They should release Tetris Attack again.

Awesome. Now over the next year I will play Legend of Zelda on the shitter.

Ehh dont have a 3DS yet, dont know if im going to buy one either. If I do it would probably be in another 9 months. Think they will still be up then???

Weird. I was on the 3DS Store an hour or two ago and NOTHING hinted that these things were there.  
 
Swipe, tap, swipe, tap, swipe multiple times to find the game, tap, tap, wait for download, tap, repeat 9 more times. That's WAY more than 30 actions.
 
Oh Nintendo, why must you be so Nintendo? One of these days it's really gonna screw you over.

Thanks for the update and the little walkthrough Mr. Klepek.

Another UK user who hasn't had them added to his downloads yet :/

Nintendo seriously needs to acquire somebody and learn how to do digital distribution. If they don't figure this crap out the are quickly going to become well and truly irrelevant.

That seems like a crazy way to do things, and all Nintendo has to say for itself is... "Sorry."

what.

I need this to roll out in Europe now, I want to play Metroid.

really? :/

Nintendo's attempts at anything internet reminds me of the Mr Show sketch about imminent death syndrome. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDaFMZfIsV4 
 
EDIT: <3 Tom Kenny

You can save, just not in the way you usually can. It's a hard save, not a suspend one. Before you want to switch games or turn off the 3DS, exit the software manually by pressing home, then the X button.

I only downloaded 3 out of the 10 games because..I don't really care about the rest. Yoshi, which turned out to be a pretty meh puzzler, the always entertaining Balloon Fight and Zelda 2 for the same reason as Patrick.

Fuck, I knew it. I thought that since I had checked into the eStore multiple times since launch I'd be set, but no, you were actually required to get the system update and then check into the eStore. They sure could have worded that better.

So many crybabies. "Wahhhhh it took 15 extra seconds inbetween each download... of my FREE games, thanks for nothing Nintendo."

Nintendo has never been known for their ease of use for any of their online software so I don't know why anyone is surprised.

It was tedious, but not that bad, and my 3DS has been getting play time between Link's Awakening DX, OOT3D, and Overclocked so i'm not complaining.

They added the games to the download history for those who created a friend code before August 12. Not so hard to understand.

Here's a few tips for playing Zelda 2 Patrick:

• Use your magic for more than the Life spell, it's not too awesome to use so If you run into a room with a bunch of tough enemies, use the 'Shield' spell to half all damage for the duration of the room, it's pretty cheap and basically gives you double your current health.
• The same goes for the 'Jump' spell. It's only required at a few points in the game but can make some hazardous platforming sections much more manageable.
• As soon as you get the downward thrust ability; ALWAYS BE DOWNWARD THRUSTING!
• All Dungeon entrances except for the white, green and final dungeon have a Darknut Statue that randomly spawns a Red Darknut or a Full Magic Jar when struck, and since it is at the very beginning of every dungeon it can be grinded until you have full health and magic (once you have the 'Life' spell).
• Putting in one of the crystals in the statue following each boss will fill your experience bar up to your next level. Don't use it if you're close to leveling and save the one in the first dungeon for the later levels. The bosses will not respawn.
• Don't TOUCH the bubbles!!

And with that, I wish you good luck!

TY , Nintendo :]

It took like maybe 3 mins. for me to download everything, it's a pain, but it's really not that bad.

I can't believe I wasted that much time downloading that stuff. The super tiny screen is bad enough, but the controls feel loose too.

@Anjon said:

@MEATBALL: Not to rush to Sony's rescue, but the Welcome Back Program was virtually painless. It only have three steps, I think?

1. Click the huge "Welcome Back Program" box on the front page.

2. Download the Welcome Back unlock code.

3. Download your games, which were all in the Welcome Back category. You could just add them to the cart and download them all.

What they COULD have done is have you track down everything on your own (Nintendo style), making you hunt down the Welcome Back download through the normal PSN Store interface, then make you track down every single game on the list manually.

There was an issue where if you only grabbed one game in the process you wouldn't be able to download the others until you went through a few screens in account management, not as tedious as this process of course, but it did leave some scratching their heads. Basically, this is the sort of thing where there was always a good chance the process was going to be a little bit odd - this isn't aided by Nintendo's typical online incompetence, but I'm not rushing to put this in quite the same basket as blunders like the friend code system.

This shit was so cumbersome I had to take out my stylus for it. At least there's a smooth certificate jam involved.