The ability to engage in interactive entertainment on the Nintendo 3DS platform using a network connection encompasses a diverse range of experiences. This includes downloadable titles available through the Nintendo eShop, multiplayer functionalities within compatible game cartridges, and access to online services like leaderboards and game updates. For example, certain role-playing games allow players to collaborate with others in cooperative quests through a wireless connection.
Accessing interactive entertainment via the network on a handheld console provides numerous advantages. It expands the lifespan of individual game titles through downloadable content and continuous updates, fosters a sense of community through player interaction, and offers convenient access to a vast library of software. The historical context of such features is rooted in the evolution of portable gaming, which has increasingly adopted characteristics of networked console systems.