Report: 3DS Will Support Software Installs

Japanese newspaper reports say that Nintendo's newly-revealed 3DS handheld will allow users to install software, including games, to its internal memory. Nikkei newspaper reported last week that the software install feature will let gamers switch between installed games via a 3DS menu interface, according to a translation on Japanese gaming blog Andriasang. Nintendo did not officially reveal the feature last week during the E3 expo in Los Angeles. On Monday, Nintendo's PR agency told Gamasutra, "We don’t have anything to announce beyond the information we shared at E3." By allowing for software installs, gamers will not have to bring along individual game cartridges when away from their cartridge library -- they can simply choose what software to use from the internal memory without swapping out cartridges. Nintendo already allows for software installs on the DSi, although they are limited to downloads from the DSiWare Shop. The report did not explain how the software installation feature would discourage piracy, or what kind of DRM limitations Nintendo would put in place on 3DS software.