Free Nintendo 3DS 'Ambassador' titles are live, includes classics

Nintendo has now made available for download the first half of 20 free titles promised to select owners of its new 3DS handheld. The "Ambassador Program," bowed the very same day the company announced it would shave $80 from the device's $249 price tag starting August 12th, is exclusive to those who purchased the device prior to the price drop and then visited its online eShop. Customers weren't required to jump through too many hoops to earn the distinction. Downloading the titles, however, is another story.

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Culled from the company's original home console the Nintendo Entertainment System, the 10 free games are: "Super Mario Bros."; "Metroid"; "The Legend of Zelda"; "Wrecking Crew"; NES Open Tournament Golf"; "Donkey Kong Jr."; "Balloon Fight"; "Ice Climber"; "Zelda II: The Adventure of Link"; and "Yoshi."

Downloading the titles isn't too complicated (contrary to some claims). Users simply press a "Redownload" button on each individual game's listing. At the following information screen, hit "Download" (after making sure you have the required SD card space) to begin in earnest. It's quick and painless; "Super Mario Bros.", which requires 33 blocks, downloaded in around 10 seconds. Of course, every step must be repeated nine more times. And yes, that means every step. Upon a download's completion, players are booted back to the eShop's main menu.

So, not complicated, but far from intuitive and certainly haphazard. Now, finding the titles? That requires a little digging.

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Nowhere in the eShop does Nintendo mention where the games actually are. The New Arrivals button brings players to a list of recently-released software. No Ambassador titles are listed. The eShop's default News tab offers no directions. The most recent announcement there merely confirms that the games can be downloaded on September 1st; the promise of 'more information soon' in the weeks-old update now reads like a cruel joke.

So, where are the freebies hidden? In the eShop's Settings menu. From there, users should check the "Your Downloads" folder. VoilĂ !

Nintendo has indeed crafted a "how-to" guide that walks gamers through the process. But unless you're a regular visitor at the company's official website and check the special "Ambassador's Program" page, you probably would never see it. Owners who don't visit gaming forums or news blogs could potentially visit the eShop right now, purchase an app and leave without ever knowing the freebies are tucked away waiting to be downloaded.

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MyCE reached out to Nintendo of America and asked if it plans to better streamline the experience in the future. An "Ambassador Program" button that contains the titles perhaps? Or an eShop news bulletin that greets users when they visit. We'll update this post should the company provide a substantive response.

One saving grace is the "Ambassador's Certificate" - a video app found alongside the 10 free games which Nintendo says will update gamers when the next 10 free titles are live. However, the download itself is separate from the software and not required.

No date has been set for the second and final batch of games. The company has only confirmed five of the 10 Game Boy Advance games which will be offered: "Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3"; "Mario Kart: Super Circuit"; "Metroid Fusion"; "WarioWare, Inc.: Mega Microgame$"; and "Mario vs. Donkey Kong."

Have you downloaded the 10 free games already? What did you think of the set up? Let us know in the comment section.

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