eShop, DSiWare game import and web browser absent from 3DS launch

A handful of anticipated 3DS features won’t be accessible on the new hardware when it launches in Europe on March 25th, Nintendo says.

Functionality like the eShop, internet browser and ability to transfer DSiWare titles from your DS to your sparkly new 3DS won’t be available on launch day, and instead will pop up in future firmware updates.

The eShop is perhaps the biggest disappointment. This digital bazaar promises a virtual console of retro Game Boy and Game Boy Colour titles (including Super Mario Land), bite-sized downloadable games, game trailers, demos and consumer ratings.

Unlike DSiWare, the 3DS eShop will show prices in cold hard currency, instead of a nebulous point system. Your Wii and DSi points will be worthless on the new shop.

These services "will be provided after the hardware's launch," and "through a system update", the hardware publisher says.