Nintendo 3DS freeShop Software Taken Down By Nintendo

Nintendo would very much appreciate if you bought games for your 3DS from the Nintendo eShop instead of opting for a homebrew software called freeShop which basically imitates its official store. The freeShop software enables Nintendo 3DS owners to search, browse, and download games using titlekeys, they are a sort of encryption that Nintendo uses on the eShop. While freeShop is billed as a way for people to download games they have already bought, it’s widely known that it was used for piracy as well. This is why Nintendo has sent a takedown notice.

While it’s true that freeShop can be used by 3DS owners to download games that they have already bought, it’s also known that large-scale titlekey sharing enables piracy. There are a plethora of titlekey databases online that even include video tutorials on how to use them to pirate Nintendo 3DS games.

Nintendo’s takedown notice has had the intended effect. The freeShop listing has been removed from GitHub. The link now displays a DMCA takedown notice which details the infringements perceived by Nintendo.

“Nintendo believes the freeShop application circumvents Nintendo’s protection measures by decrypting the game files accessible from its eShop servers, allowing freeShop users to access and play Nintendo’s eShop games for free,” it mentions.

It’s not known for sure right now whether this takedown affects those who already have the freeShop software installed. I guess we’ll find that out soon enough.

Adnan Farooqui
Categories: Gaming
Tags: Nintendo, nintendo 3ds