Nintendo 3DS firmware takes aim at homebrewers

Moves and counter-moves

Nintendo has released a new Nintendo 3DS update, which includes the following features:

• A Shuffle Favorites feature has been added under Change Theme in HOME Menu Settings. Users can choose multiple themes and have their theme change when the system is left in Sleep Mode from the HOME Menu or turned on after being off
• Available software updates can now be downloaded from the HOME Menu
• Users can now capture screenshots with both the upper and lower screens included
• Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience.

According to various reports, the “overall system stability” improvements include a roadblock to any would-be homebrewers out there. The update is said to target a recently discovered exploit in Ubisoft’s Cubic Ninja, which allows 3DS hardware to run unofficial software. Nintendo patching holes in its security should come as a shock to no one, but the move still probably comes as a disappointment to the homebrew community.

Information on recent system and feature updates [Nintendo Support, @smealum]