Can I keep downloaded games on a 3ds XL after a system delete?
December 2014
I decided to buy a Nintendo 3DS XL off of eBay, and found one with hard copies of games, and Ocarina of Time 3D installed onto the device, so when it arrived at first I was super happy as I had these games, but soon realized that I wanted to make the 3DS my own, by factory resetting it so I can create my own profile and change the settings to my choosing. However, I was told that by doing this it will delete the system installed games, as a game is linked with the previous owner's account or something. So long story short, I want to know if there is a way to keep these games after a factory reset. If there isn't a way then I wasted money on a game that I can't even keep.
Update - January 2015
I decided to perform a factory reset on my 3DS as I wanted a new NNID more than I wanted the downloaded games. I removed the SD card and began the process. After I did this I fully expected for the titles to no longer be on my 3DS. So I set it up, and they weren't there. No surprise there. But, I made an account on e-shop, and decided to check on the re-downloadable software thing, just in case the games happened to be there. AND THEY WERE! I downloaded them and they work perfectly fine! I have no idea how this happened! So so shocked, but happy. Can anyone explain why this happened? As the games should have been linked to the previous owner's NNID, so how did I get them back when I made my own NNID on a factory reset console?
Pictures about "Can I keep downloaded games on a 3ds XL after a system delete?"
Do downloaded games stay on 3DS?
Are eshop games still tied to the 3ds or your account if you change your console? Yep, the games are still tied to the 3DS. Every 3DS has a soul, and you need to transfer this soul to a new 3DS, to use these purchased eshop games on it.What happens if I delete software 3DS?
If you delete the software without making a backup, then all the data that has been saved by that app will be deleted and unable to be restored from a backup. Tap Delete once more to confirm the action.Does resetting 3DS delete games?
If you choose to format your 3DS, you will lose all of your data (except for maybe photos and sound recordings), and you will be unable to re-download it for free from the eShop, even if you have it on an SD card.How do I recover deleted games on my 3DS?
Complete these stepsNintendo 3DS Game Recovery of Missing Pre-Installed Games After Factory Reset *DIGITAL* Lost Game
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Images: Anete Lusina, Dids, Anastasia Shuraeva, Anastasia Shuraeva