The launch of Nintendo's 3DS marketplace, eShop, has just taken a hit. A serious god damn hit. Capcom announced today Mega Man Legends 3: Prototype Version has been delayed and will not be hitting the launch window.

"It's always been our aim in the production of this game to create something that would provide a fun time for all," explained producer Tatsuya Kitabayashi in a blog post on Capcom Unity, "and from here on out, we will be maintaining this aim with a renewed desire to create a product of the highest quality. Please wait just a little longer!"

Nintendo recently revealed the 3DS firmware update adding eShop is coming on June 7.

If you're not familiar, the Prototype Version subtitle comes from the strange nature of the game's development. Mega Man Legends 3 is not a sure thing. Prototype Version is a paid in-development slice of the game, designed to do two things: gauge financial interest in the game and allow dedicated fans who've been working with Capcom to influence the game's development a window into the work.

It's a demo...but it's not. Thus, the pay model. Capcom has not announced the price point for Prototype Version in the US, but it's charging 200 yen ($2.40) in Japan. Pretty similar pricing would make sense.

"The nature of games development is that sudden changes are prone to occur at any time, one after another," said Mega Man Legends 3 web planner Kinako Ikawa in another post. "But to make you all wait even longer for this game is an incredibly regrettable outcome that all of us are sorry for."

Capcom told me more details on what's happening with Prototype Version is coming soon.

The launch of Nintendo's 3DS marketplace, eShop, has just taken a hit. A serious god damn hit. Capcom announced today Mega Man Legends 3: Prototype Version has been delayed and will not be hitting the launch window.

"It's always been our aim in the production of this game to create something that would provide a fun time for all," explained producer Tatsuya Kitabayashi in a blog post on Capcom Unity, "and from here on out, we will be maintaining this aim with a renewed desire to create a product of the highest quality. Please wait just a little longer!"

Nintendo recently revealed the 3DS firmware update adding eShop is coming on June 7.

If you're not familiar, the Prototype Version subtitle comes from the strange nature of the game's development. Mega Man Legends 3 is not a sure thing. Prototype Version is a paid in-development slice of the game, designed to do two things: gauge financial interest in the game and allow dedicated fans who've been working with Capcom to influence the game's development a window into the work.

It's a demo...but it's not. Thus, the pay model. Capcom has not announced the price point for Prototype Version in the US, but it's charging 200 yen ($2.40) in Japan. Pretty similar pricing would make sense.

"The nature of games development is that sudden changes are prone to occur at any time, one after another," said Mega Man Legends 3 web planner Kinako Ikawa in another post. "But to make you all wait even longer for this game is an incredibly regrettable outcome that all of us are sorry for."

Capcom told me more details on what's happening with Prototype Version is coming soon.

I love this franchise, what a shame.

Man I really hope this game comes out.

Well now the e shop launch kind of sucks, what else is there to get now?

@ patrickklepek 
Patrick turn around Jeff's behind and he has got his Cop knife Run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

dont worry people, i heard the 3DS eShop has a launch window from E3 to Tokyo Game Show, so every game will come out in October/November and miss it *coughCrap3DSLaunchWindowcough*

Time to fill the slot with some more notebooks...

No joke, I was actually looking forward to this. Bummer.

They are making bad situation even worse

If I understand this correctly, paying for this beta does not mean you get access to the full game because they may never make the full game. F that!

Shame, but since devs want money and players want a good game, I assume it is worth it.

delaying paid demos. Times are changing. But w/e its all business. They want to stay clear of the my notebook 3d and other big competitors.

Unfinished game delayed for being ... too unfinished? That's a new one.

Choo Choo?

If everyone's going to randomly start adopting the Blizzard/Steam approach to game development, (release it when its done) just stop giving us release dates.

So is that free Excitebike 3D a thing when the E shop launches or did I hear incorrectly?

Choo Chooo! 

Well as we all know, the train waits for no one. Next stop June 7th, eShop launch! Megaman or no Megaman.

This hurts on multiple levels. Next we're gonna learn we're not getting 3D Excite Bike for free.

Meh, I'm not paying for a demo. Maybe release a whole product and I'll buy it, but this just sours my disposition to Mega Man Legends 3.

It is pretty clear that with Inafune's departure the top brass are keen on cancelling this pet project of his. This whole paid demo thing reeks of the development staff desperately grasping at straws to keep the project alive. In that sense having been a launch title for the 3DS's digital distribution channel would have helped a lot. Being able to point to a healthy number of sales for a development slice would no doubt do much to convince the viability of the project, otherwise I think this thing is currently in a most precarious situation.

Hey, give them a break. They need more time to polish the unpolished prototype for a public beta test.

GOD DAMN IT CAPCOM

I WILL SHIV YOU IF YOU DON'T RELEASE MEGAMAN LEGENDS 3

YOU SICK AND TWISTED FUCKS

3DS is losing my interest fast.

3DS is a big flop in my opinion. It's a DS with 3D that hurts your eyes over a short period of time, of which you have to hold it on a set angle to even see the 3D properly, and there is no stand out games (I'm sure there will be some good titles eventually, but I don't see myself playing the system on a regular basis, or wanting to buy one)

I think if the NGP launch goes well, the 3DS may be in for a hiding.

i really want this to come out in full form so badly wether playing as megaman or the new guy i still think megaman should definantly be playable on this

Meh, I just want to play the Game Gear games.

                GOD DAMN IT CAPCOMI WILL SHIV YOU IF YOU DON'T RELEASE MEGAMAN LEGENDS 3YOU SICK AND TWISTED FUCKS
           

WHAT HE SAID!!!

...BUT WITHOUT THE SHIV PART!!!

@Olivaw said:

                GOD DAMN IT CAPCOMI WILL SHIV YOU IF YOU DON'T RELEASE MEGAMAN LEGENDS 3YOU SICK AND TWISTED FUCKS
           

WHAT HE SAID!!!

...BUT WITHOUT THE SHIV PART!!!

Laaaaaaame. Mega Lame. :'(

But... but I... :(

It's not that serious of a hit, Patrick Klepek. I mean, yeah it sucks. But it's good for DSiware games that are worth playing that many gamers missed out on. Now, go spend some eShop monies on stuff like Mighty Milky Way, Shantae: Risky's Revenge, Rabi Laby or Cave Story DSi. Lord knows they could probably use a few more purchases, being in the unfortunate position of being downloadable Nintendo games and all.

Without the Ninten-Download-X-Press podcast around anymore, how are gamers supposed to know what's out there!? It's not like Nintendo does a good job (or...y'know...a job) of promoting the good stuff on the service. Cream is supposed to rise to the top, to become the cream of the crop. But all Nintendo does is hose their cream all over third party games. And bury them under...*sigh* My Notebook titles.

So 3DS owners, do the right thing and go hunt down some quality DSi games while you wait for Mega Man Legends 3: Case Zero (or..whatever, same idea)

It is pretty clear that with Inafune's departure the top brass are keen on cancelling this pet project of his. This whole paid demo thing reeks of the development staff desperately grasping at straws to keep the project alive. In that sense having been a launch title for the 3DS's digital distribution channel would have helped a lot. Being able to point to a healthy number of sales for a development slice would no doubt do much to convince the viability of the project, otherwise I think this thing is currently in a most precarious situation.

Hey, give them a break. They need more time to polish the unpolished prototype for a public beta test.

I don't understand, did the Legend Games just not sell well in the past?

It seems Capcom just doesn't want to make this game unless they make a lot of money off of it

Does Capcom have anything else planned for eShop launch? Is anything else planned for launch from anyone? Excitebike and...?

Damn.

Well now the e shop launch kind of sucks, what else is there to get now?

@warmonked: that's why it's 2 bux