The Nintendo 3DS has apparently received a new surprise system update earlier this week, despite Nintendo officially ending support for the console several years ago. While Nintendo has since moved on to the Switch as both its main home console and handheld, the 3DS boasted one of the longest lifespans of Nintendo's iconic handhelds. The 3DS first debuted in 2011 and continued to see hardware sales until 2020 with software releases from indie developers coming as recently as last year. Now, a surprise update looks to make minor fixes to the handheld console.While often unexpected, post-launch console updates have frequently looked to make minor adjustments to many systems even after being sunsetted. Sony's PlayStation 3 has continued to receive firmware updates to this day with its most recent 4.90 update coming in February. However, many updates related to the 3DS in recent months have come at the expense of fans who continue using the console, with Nintendo officially closing both the 3DS and Wii U eShop earlier this year. Now, however, a new minor fix pushes some small changes to the handheld. A post from Nintendo's Japanese customer support Twitter account shares details for the newest minor fix pushed out for the 3DS. System update 11.17.0-50J does not introduce any groundbreaking changes to the Nintendo console, only pushing minor fixes simply referred to as "improving system stability and convenience." Minor updates like this have often graced consoles of the past, pushing minor quality-of-life fixes and often quietly patching out bugs and exploits with a console's operating system. 3DS hardware sales were officially discontinued in 2020, though Nintendo Network services remain open.
While the minor system update likely won't give fans a reason to dust off their 3DS, the console served as the last bastion for several popular features. Following the Wii U's discontinuation, the 3DS was Nintendo's last active console to boast the popular Virtual Console game library. StreetPass was also a beloved aspect of the console, allowing 3DS users to interact with other 3DS users they passed by in games like Mii Plaza and Super Smash Bros for Nintendo 3DS. The service has even seen some fans attempt to revive StreetPass with live events earlier this year.
The 3DS' time in the spotlight may have passed, but fan appreciation for the console's library of games has clearly remained. Some of the console's most popular games like Etrian Odyssey and Monster Hunter Generations would later receive updated, enhanced re-releases on the Switch. Fans have also requested for some of the 3DS library's games to come to the Switch through the Nintendo Switch Online program, following the recent addition of Game Boy titles. The 3DS serves as a lasting example of an era of creativity and innovation from Nintendo.