Nintendo adds 3DS achievements, called Accomplishments

By Tom Phillips Published 7 December, 2011

Huge firmware update now live.

Nintendo has added an achievements feature to the 3DS console's Mii Plaza mini-game hub, called Accomplishments.

Players can access a list of awards relating to StreetPassing Miis, plus the mini-games Puzzle Swap and StreetPass Quest.

It's the first we've heard of the new feature, despite Nintendo talking in-depth about the firmware update on numerous occasions.

There's no sign yet of Accomplishments spreading outside the Mii Plaza, although its the closest Nintendo has come to implementing Xbox-style Achievements so far.

A StreetPass Quest sequel is also included and is vastly improved on the original. It's unlocked when you have collected all hats from the original.

StreetPass Quest 2 features a huge new quest with your Mii king and his two Mii children to save. You can now spend Play Coins on hiring previously StreetPassed Miis and a selection of potions in the game's battles.

There is also room for a huge selection of new collectible hats - we counted at least 56 new spaces in our Mii Settings.

By activating SpotPass for the Mii Plaza you can download new content such as new Puzzle Swap panels, which feature more difficult puzzles and pieces only available through SpotPass.

The first new puzzle is Donkey Kong Country-themed. Out of its thirty pieces, 4 are SpotPass only. The mini-game has also had a slight graphical refresh.

There's also a new slideshow option for showing the puzzles solved thus far, a geographical map to show the location of Miis you've met, and a sound test mode to listen to all of the Mii Plaza themes.

The firmware update also adds 3D video recording, a stop-motion animation feature, and the ability to transfer content between 3DS systems - perfect for players upgrading to one of the system's new colours or designs.

Not permitted for systems with different region or country settings

Nintendo has warned that the transfer of 3DS content is region-locked and limited to five transfers, with a waiting period between one transfer and the next.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Phillips

Tom joined Eurogamer in 2010 and has quickly made his mark writing news and columns and coming up with puntastic straplines. Questionable beard. @TomPhillips151 on Twitter.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Phillips archive page.

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Comments (34) Latest comment 6 months ago

Comments for this article are now closed, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • J0rdan_KZ #1 6 months ago

    This firmware update is so delicious. I mean, that HUGE Mii Street Pass update alone is worth it. The Japanese eShop already has demos up, I wonder when they'll hit Europe?

    I can't wait till I'm some where apart from Shetland so I can do some real street passing for once.
    Edited by J0rdan_KZ at 07/12/11 @ 09:30

  • Toothball #2 6 months ago

    Oh, thought this was due tomorrow. I'm mostly looking forward to having something new to spend my play coins on. Been sitting on 300 of them for months.

  • Whitster #3 6 months ago

    Awesome, so I have this and the 360 to update tonight, and then you know I may actually play some games on them.

  • skowhegan Verified Staff Writer, Eurogamer Network #4 6 months ago

    Anyone wanting the "StreetPass 100 Miis in One Day" accomplishment, come along to the Expo next year :)

  • Spunkweazle #5 6 months ago

    wasnt "Accomplishments" the name sony were going to use for trophies when they stole the achievements system?
    Wouldnt "Stars" make more sense for nintendo

  • mastablasta #6 6 months ago

    Nintendo years behind everyone else as normal, they haven't got a clue about online services. They need to have an agreement with Microsoft to use live services.

  • Zozzilla #7 6 months ago

    And what about the GBA titles for the Ambassador program?

  • roz123 #8 6 months ago

    Such a dodgy headline, they haven't added an achievement system they have just added some goals to aim for on the Streetpass Plaza. Its not really different to the way you unlock trophies on Smash Bros Brawl.
    Edited by roz123 at 07/12/11 @ 09:42

  • HornsDino #9 6 months ago

    @roz123 Yeah, came to post the same. It is not remotely the first time Nintendo have done something like this!
    Edited by HornsDino at 07/12/11 @ 09:46

  • Trillion #10 6 months ago

    The 3d video and animation features sound fantastic!

  • speedjack #11 6 months ago

    The data transfer thingy will be handy as the volume control on my 3DS has already stopped working properly.

    Score so far :-

    DS Lite : Cracked hinge (known issue, out of warranty)
    Upgraded to a...
    DSi : Shoulder buttons stopped working (out of warranty)
    Upgraded to a...
    3DS : volume slider stopped working (thankfully still in warranty).

    ...and they say 360 build quality is crap!

  • Sicho #12 6 months ago

    neat

  • Zozzilla #13 6 months ago

    @JAGUARCD32x My power button seems to need a few presses to actually work too, so does my boyfriend's...also been through 5 360's, first Wii I got the wi-fi was faulty, my DS Lite's power input thing became wobbly and it wouldn't charge...and we pay a lot of money for these damn things.

  • Lukree #14 6 months ago

    I, for one, welcome home made 3d porn!

  • Koozer #15 6 months ago

    Hats are the future.

  • TruSmiles #16 6 months ago

    Haven't switched on my 3DS in a while, so looking forward to this. But then I haven't done anything since Skyrim entered my life. It's like having an abusive spouse that won't let me go near any other games :(

  • Mono_X #17 6 months ago

    Just got 19 streetpass accomplishments. :D

  • Monsieur_Blade #18 6 months ago

    Is it just me or does anyone else have problems collecting any Streetpasses? I don't take my 3DS out and about that often but the 4 or 5 times I have I haven't received a single Streetpass!

    I even went into Game the other day with my 3DS in my pocket and still nothing? It's definitely switched on so maybe there's just no one with a 3DS in my area :(

  • roz123 #19 6 months ago

    Apparently the e-shop saves your card details and you only have to pay the required amount instead of £10 or £20. Its also got the ability to do demos and dlc although I dont think EU has any yet.

    QR codes can now be used to link to sites through the web browser so it makes them far easier to access. Which will be good for looking at 3D images.
    Edited by roz123 at 07/12/11 @ 11:08

  • Viz1 #20 6 months ago

    @Zozzilla you should change your name to bad luck lol

  • andywilkie35 #21 6 months ago

    Hope the update means that it's possible to actually get a game of Mario Kart online

  • madsox1 #22 6 months ago

    @jaguar, that sux man!!

  • madeinbeats #23 6 months ago

    @speedjack My DS was about 4 years out of warranty when power kept cutting out on it, think it was refereed to as a crack on the mainboard. I email Nintendo Support and they fixed it for free, paid for postage there and back, everything. What's MS customer service like these days?

  • abigsmurf #24 6 months ago

    "Not permitted for systems with different region or country settings

    Nintendo has warned that the transfer of 3DS content is region-locked and limited to five transfers, with a waiting period between one transfer and the next.!"

    So the 3D movies are protected then? So much for getting excited about being able to put 3D movies on your console. It's so restricted as to be useless if it doesn't allow you to put any movies you want on the system.

  • TonyHarrison #25 6 months ago

    @abigsmurf That's not what that is referring to. It means you can transfer downloads and whatnot to a new 3DS should you buy one.

  • HerrQwerty #26 6 months ago

    I've updated but a blue light appeared on my Mario Kart 7 icon and wont disappear even when I go into the game. Anyone else get this?

  • Zackv4861 #27 6 months ago

    The accomplishments is a step forward for Nintendo now they need to make it compulsive for all games to cater for the Hardcore gamers. Come on Nintendo don't let us down.

  • Toothball #28 6 months ago

    The first new puzzle is Donkey Kong Country-themed.
    Curious, I just started an Ocarina of Time 3D puzzle, 12/24 into it so far from my coin surplus. There's a lot more to do than I thought in Streetpass Quest too.

  • Uncle_Spanks #29 6 months ago

    @HerrQwerty

    Check the Mario Kart 7 channel. ;)

  • HerrQwerty #30 6 months ago

    @Uncle_Spanks I looked and saw nothing. :(
    Am I blind?

  • electrolite #31 6 months ago

    Since when did 'hardcore gamers' need Accomplishments/Achievements/Trophies to motivate them to play games?

  • grussbarbar #32 6 months ago

    @Monsieur_Blade
    My guess is there just aren't that many 3DS's out there yet, at least not turned on. My 3DS has been on 24/7 since I bought it at launch. I take it with me everywhere. Not counting Gamescom and visits from my brother or my friends, I only got 5 or 6 Streetpass hits so far... (I do rack up a lot of Play Coins for my DoA figure collection though, so it's not all wasted effort. XP)

    Come on, everybody! Keep your 3DS's on! The battery can take it (mine can go about 48 hours in standby without recharging) and the more people do this the more fun it'll be for all of us!

  • Toothball #33 6 months ago

    @grussbarbar

    I had managed 80-90 hits between launch and October in and around central Edinburgh so it works out in some places. Then I got around 150 hits when I went to the Zelda Symphony in London, which was a bit outside the average.

  • grussbarbar #34 6 months ago

    @Toothball
    Ooh, very nice! =)

    I actually got another Streetpass hit yesterday, so I'm happy. Still works out to about 1 Streetpass hit per month where I live of course. XP