3DS Virtual Console
Following the precedent of the Nintendo Wii, the 3DS has its own Virtual Console feature. This Virtual Console was launched with the 3DS's eShop several months after the 3DS's release on June 6th, 2011 (the 7th in some areas of America as well as Japan and the PAL regions). Like the original Virtual Console, the 3DS Virtual Console features a library of classic games that could be bought and downloaded to be played on the 3DS, with the library being updated on a weekly basis. The original Virtual Console featured Nintendo's main systems up until the Nintendo 64, while the 3DS focuses instead on games from Nintendo's handheld systems as well as Nintendo-based arcade games and some third party handheld systems. It also featured a new 3D Classics line which features new versions of games from various consoles which are updated with 3D.
New games are added to the 3D eShop every Thursday, with occasional exceptions. In Japan, the eShop is updated on Wednesdays.
First Party games on the 3DS Virtual Console
Games
Game Boy
| Name | Publisher | North America | Japan | Europe & Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alleyway | Nintendo |  (2011/06/06) |
(2011/06/07) |
(2011/06/07)
|
| Avenging Spirit | Jaleco |  |
(2011/06/07) |
|
| Baseball | Nintendo | |
(2011/06/07) |
|
| Donkey Kong GB | Nintendo | (2011/06/16) |
(2011/06/15) |
(2011/06/16)
|
| Downtown Special: Kunio-Kun no Jidaigeki deyo Zenin Shuugou | Arc System Works | |
(2011/06/07) |
|
| Fortified Zone | Jaleco | |
(2011/06/15) |
|
| Kirby's Dream Land | Nintendo | |
(2011/06/07) |
|
| Mega Man: Dr. Wily's Revenge | Capcom | |
(2011/06/07) |
|
| Qix | Nintendo | |
(2011/06/15) |
|
| Radar Mission | Nintendo | (2011/06/06) |
(2011/06/07) |
(2011/06/07)
|
| Super Mario Land | Nintendo | (2011/06/06) |
(2011/06/07) |
(2011/06/07)
|
Game Boy Color
| Name | Publisher | North America | Japan | Europe & Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening DX | Nintendo | (2011/06/07) |
(2011/06/08) |
(2011/06/09)
|
3D Classics
Upon the launch of the eShop, Excitebike was offered a free download for a limited amount of time: until July 7th in all regions except Japan, where it was available for free until July 31st.
| Name | Publisher | Original System | North America | Japan | Europe & Australia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excitebike | Nintendo | NES | (2011/06/06) |
(2011/06/07) |
(2011/06/07)
|
| Xevious | Namco | NES | |
(2011/06/07) |
|