It’s not quite an entire system overhaul, but it’s a step in the right direction. We will now be able to use Nintendo Network IDs on Nintendo 3DS, Bill Trinen announced on today’s Nintendo Direct. The only feature explicitly highlighted here was the ability to consolidate your money across the eShop on both Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. There’s also Miiverse, too!
Here’s how it’s going to work. From now on, all free purchases on the 3DS eShop, such as demos, will require a NNID to download. Paid downloads will continue to be available to people not on Nintendo Network. This is a hint that the truly unified account system isn’t coming just yet. However, Trinen stated that more Nintendo Network features are coming to 3DS later on, so there’s still hope.
The update is going live sometime in December, so stay tuned as we get more information about the exact date.
Source: Nintendo Direct