Netflix App on 3DS: It Really Works!

Greg Tito

PR for Dungeons & Dragons
Sep 29, 2005
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Netflix App on 3DS: It Really Works!



After intense testing at The Escapist Magazine bunker, the Netflix application for Nintendo's new handheld gets five stars.

Today, Nintendo released an update for its 3D handheld system that included the ability to download a free application from Netflix. The app lets you hook your Netflix account to your 3DS, and, if you have unlimited streaming enabled, you'll be able to watch any movie or TV show that is in the Watch Instantly library on your handheld (not-just) gaming device. With a wireless internet connection, a comfortable chair, and a sandwich, you'll be able to watch movies on your 3DS without being tethered to a power cable.

Setting the app up thankfully doesn't take too long. First, you have to download the update from Nintendo, which proved the most difficult part of the process because the option is buried in the Settings tab. Once that's done, you have to go into the Nintendo eShop to download the Netflix app. Open that up, and you are prompted to enter some location information and finally given a code. Take that code to an internet browser on another device to access your Netflix account, and once you enter it in the 3DS should link itself up nicely.

The upside here is that you don't have to constantly enter your username and password each time to log in but the downside is that it's a little tough to switch Netflix accounts - which is only important if you share the 3DS amongst, say, an office full of game journalists. But that task can still can be achieved by deactivating all devices from your Netflix account from the web page, shutting down your 3DS and then restarting the app. You'll be prompted to enter another unique code on the web to reconnect the device to an account, but at least you won't get slapped upside the head for filling your boss's Instant Queue with Conan the Destroyer and Enemy Mine.

The picture is great quality - for such a small screen. Older TV shows like the British Office looked about as good as you can imagine, but even special effects-laden blockbusters like the 2009 Star Trek revamp were rendered fantastically. I was a bit disappointed that I had to watch that film in letterbox, with two black bars on the top and bottom, but it didn't matter when I was staring longingly at that green chick's backside.

Keep in mind, the 3DS must be connected to a wireless internet connection for the app to work, but if you are bored at your Aunt Sheila's house and the router you helped set up for her is just collecting dust, there's no reason you can't kick back and catch up on Doctor Who episodes.

The user interface for the application looks similar to what you see when you access Netflix on the Xbox 360 or PS3, except that the menu options are rendered in 3D on the top screen. I found the menus popping out at you a nice touch, but they can always be turned down or off with the 3D slider. Another neat thing - when you want to zoom through a scene by fast forwarding, the frames pop across the screen on a different layer than the film beneath. The effect isn't quite Minority Report, but it was cool nonetheless.

The big question for everyone was whether watching movies was going eat up the much-maligned battery life of the 3DS system. Well, I can definitively say that such concerns were completely unfounded. I played through the entirety of the aforementioned Star Trek (all 2 hours 4 minutes of it plus credits) and the battery indicator is sitting at 3/4 full. With that kind of performance, it looks like watching movies through the Netflix app squeezes even more battery life from the device than just playing games.

The additional feature of being able to play movies anywhere you take your 3DS came just in time for me. I'm heading out for a week to visit my wife's family in Florida soon - so you know that I'll get more than money's worth watching whatever I can on my tiny screen just so I don't have to socialize with Aunt Sheila.

Thanks Nintendo and Netflix for not making me talk to my inlaws!


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Onyx Oblivion

Borderlands Addict. Again.
Sep 9, 2008
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If I get a 3DS this will get heavy use.

In the bathroom...

And it's not-so-much "IF" as "when", really.

Nintendo yells "Pokemon!!!!"...I jump.
 

The Diabolical Biz

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Jun 25, 2009
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SuperMse said:
I'm confused as to why this is any more special than Netflix on a Droid or iPod.
I was going to say because you can't play OoT/New Kid Icarus/Star Fox 64 etc on them, but with illegal activities these days...

OT: Sweet, however this isn't available in Europe, is it...

Awww...
 

mad825

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Mar 28, 2010
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Personally, why would anyone want this? No doubt if the user had a 3DS and a decent internet connection you would most certainty have a decent sized monitor nearby. On the travel viewing is just...not smart for obvious reasons.
 

uppitycracker

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Oct 9, 2008
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mad825 said:
Personally, why would anyone want this? No doubt if the user had a 3DS and a decent internet connection you would most certainty have a decent sized monitor nearby. On the travel viewing is just...not smart for obvious reasons.
i guess if yer waiting in an airport or something, and happen to find a wifi connection, it could be a useful time killer. really depends on the situation, but it certainly isn't a selling point for the thing unless you travel a lot.
 

cthulhumythos

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Aug 28, 2009
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SuperMse said:
I'm confused as to why this is any more special than Netflix on a Droid or iPod.
because i own neither of these things yet i do own a 3ds.

really. Really? i have to type in "the holy grail of pants" for my captcha? really.
 

Hiphophippo

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Nov 5, 2009
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Just tried it out and it does work great. This will probably not get heavy use for me but I'll be happy I have it those times I do.
 

therandombear

Elite Member
Sep 28, 2009
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Littleman64 said:
Well I have a 3DS but I live in Canada. And if you know anything about Netflix in Canada, it's selection sucks. So I unfortunately have to just say meh.
Atleast you don't live here in Norway...where it's not available =(
 

Asuka Soryu

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Jun 11, 2010
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lol Wow, yet people b-tched and moaned about watching stuff on the PSP and it's screen is bigger then the 3DS'.
 

Sean951

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Mar 30, 2011
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Asuka Soryu said:
lol Wow, yet people b-tched and moaned about watching stuff on the PSP and it's screen is bigger then the 3DS'.
The PSP also required you buy the movie in PSP form, not stream it from the account you have to watch it on any of the other consoles.
 

Asuka Soryu

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Jun 11, 2010
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Sean951 said:
Asuka Soryu said:
lol Wow, yet people b-tched and moaned about watching stuff on the PSP and it's screen is bigger then the 3DS'.
The PSP also required you buy the movie in PSP form, not stream it from the account you have to watch it on any of the other consoles.
And yet, I always heard people complain about watching a movie/show on a small screen when discussing it, not buying said movies/shows.
 

Chibz

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Sep 12, 2008
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SuperMse said:
I'm confused as to why this is any more special than Netflix on a Droid or iPod.
Because the 3DS isn't terrible. No really, now I can use netflix on a system I actually bring with me...

mad825 said:
Personally, why would anyone want this? No doubt if the user had a 3DS and a decent internet connection you would most certainty have a decent sized monitor nearby. On the travel viewing is just...not smart for obvious reasons.
Often I go to my mom's place/etc where I have no computer access but DO have internet access. Sometimes my (or her) TV is in use and she's there. (Yes, I visit my mom sometimes...)

Sometimes I'm just awesome. And a ninja.
 

Balobo

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Nov 30, 2009
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Kysafen said:
uppitycracker said:
mad825 said:
Personally, why would anyone want this? No doubt if the user had a 3DS and a decent internet connection you would most certainty have a decent sized monitor nearby. On the travel viewing is just...not smart for obvious reasons.
i guess if yer waiting in an airport or something, and happen to find a wifi connection, it could be a useful time killer. really depends on the situation, but it certainly isn't a selling point for the thing unless you travel a lot.
And every person on the planet who has a 3DS will do this.

Right.

Netflix'd be a hell of a lot more commercially viable on Sony's 3g Vita, AT&T or not. With NGP's price being nefariously close to the 3DS, it'd be a fearsome advantage over the 3DS.

Unless Nintendo strikes a deal with Verizon and releases its own 3G 3DS.
Hahahaha streaming movies over 3G?