Nintendo Responds To "Black Screen of Death"

[NezumiiroKitsune]

It doesn't seem like too much of an issue, especially if it's just a small firmware bug. As has been said though, I wouldn't know where to begin looking for my "local Nintendo customer service centre". We don't even have Apple stores in most major settlements in England, which going by what I see on Youtube would be a culture shock for many Americans.

I still can't believe it's sold as well as it has, it's mostly an expensive tech demo. Yeah it's got some great games coming, but a year in a new version with a better battery will be out for £80 less and you might even get one of those great games bundled with it. Additionally whatever else they decided to stick in, a third fold out screen for watching po...nies, documentaries about ponies.

 

[Phagin]

I still can't believe it's sold as well as it has.

Ahhh, you say that but the launch has actually been a bit of a failure, nintendo wanted every single console coming in to the country, the UK that is gone on pre-orders, didn't happen. Then they said get them sold out but the sunday after launch and guess what, their still sitting there. Considering we got more units that the Wii, or even Wii Fit and there hasn't been the stock issues I'd say that constitutes a pretty unsuccessful launch.

Also I hate how most people are going to take 'local customer service' or whatever to mean 'take it back to the shop where you bought it so you can shout at them and get them to change it over even though they have nothing to do with it and are not legally obliged to do anything. I hate working in a games shop, oh so much.

EDIT: In reference to windows, is no one going to mention the V word? Or have we just written that one off now?

 

[Fawcks]

I'm happy Nintendo is bricking systems belonging to Pirates. It should be done. Those people have freeloaded off the industry for far too long.

Not entirely related to the article, no, but I do hope users like DoomPenguin get their just desserts.

 

[Sparrow]

Oh noes! A brand new system has a slight flaw that causes it to not work properly. Its not like this hasn't happened to EVERY new piece of technology ever.

Pretty sure the PS2 didn't have these issues. Or Gameboy. Or the last DS, for that matter. It seems more really is less sometimes.

 

[Okysho]

Props to Nintendo for getting a fix out fast. Always been happy with Nintendo customer service.

Also never had too much trouble with Nintendo's customer service. The only thing that bugs me is that we don't have a soft eject button on the Wii. I actually emailed NOA and they said they didn't have plans for that yet... goes to show the DS really is Nintendo's flagship and not the Wii.

On Topic: I'd heard about this and while I guess it's good that Nintendo has gotten on it since they don't want their name spoiled by some odd rare microsoft issue... This goes to show where Nintendo's money has really been focused the last few years... the DS not the big home console

 

[Merlark]

I never got the black screen of death with my unit, I did have a problem with updating my 3DS, I kept getting an error everytime I tried. but none of the three games I bought with it gave me any black death issue's. after about 3 days they posted a fix for the updating issue. It was just a matter of manualy putting in some gateway settings for the unit as for some reason it wasn't automaticly doing it.

Strange though because I could play street fighter online and all that stuff without a problem, it was only when I tried to update. still Nintendo has always been pretty on the ball when it comes to these things even if some of their fixes seems 'dubious' at time.

I remember back with my first generation Wii, would not load super smash brothers. had to send the unit back in for repairs. they claimed it was 'dust'. never seen dust selectively effect one game before on a system that is almost brand new...did they build them in a factory full of dust? assembled by dust bunny's?

It's more likely that in their haste there may be some units with slightly older firmware then most of the units. but that would be admitting they screwed up on something and as every gamer knows, the Japanese DO NOT make mistakes.

 

[CrystalShadow]

I've played SSFIV online, used my DS flash cart, done everything that people say causes it and had no issues.

Flash cart? You know that the 3DS has an always-on DRM and sends information on everything you're doing with it to Nintendo every time you connect to a wireless network, right? Probably just a matter of time until they brick your system...

Just FYI.

You realize that Flash Carts use signed code from real DS games to launch on DSis and 3DSs, and that Nintendo would have to be insane/stupid/both to think they wouldn't get in legal trouble for bricking consoles that run code they don't like, so you're just just being an overly paranoid moron, right?

Just FYI.

You realize that bricking the consoles is well within Nintendo's rights, as it's in the EULA or whatever that comes with every system (as was stated in news reports on this very site), and that you're being obnoxiously rude by calling him a paranoid moron, right? Not to mention that I can only assume your flash cart is used to play pirated games which is, by all means, illegal.

Just FYI.

EULAs are generally not considered legally binding since you can't read them until after you purchase the item. Also, flash carts are useful for not carrying around 20-30 games with a portable system, not just for piracy. Either way, the way DS flash carts work with the DSi and the 3DS they would risk bricking people playing legitimate games if they bricked systems they suspected of running flash carts. Like I said, they use the boot code from legitimate DS games and show up as those games to the system. It's just boogey man language trying to scare people away from using them.

If only it were that simple.

As Xzi said, enjoy your 250$ paperweight. I actually do sincerely hope you DON'T get bricked, I'd never wish that on anyone, but is it really that tough to carry those tiny games around? I'd err on the side of caution if I were you, friend.

It's a pity this kind of thing happens. I really like the idea of creating homebrew software for consoles, but since the no. 1 use for the methods needed to get homebrew software running is playing pirated games, the presumption is if you own such equipment you are a pirate.

It's a pity too. The 3ds looks like it could be put to some fun uses that no commercial developer would ever bother with...

I guess I'll stick to using various console peripherals with my PC instead. XD