About Distribution Status of Nintendo 3DS System in the Philippines

This is my part 2 update about my encountered issue with Nintendo eShop (part 1).

I have sent my case through the available webform on their site and received their response back January 05, 2014. I just want to share what i discovered (read their statement below - click picture below to zoom-in):

Statement of Nintendo America About Distribution Status of 3DS System in the Philippines

This means Nintendo 3DS system are not officially distributed here in the Philippines and this is why it's not/you can't find the country listed to the regional setting of the said system.

Moreover, with their "warranty" statement, I felt a little embarrassed and victimized. Why the hell SM Appliances sells this if i can't fully used all the feature of the device! I just became aware of this. But no, I have no regrets. I want to play Pokemon and i'm loving it with my 3DS XL.

And so, I responded back - reporting the store who unofficially selling the system but it's actually legal when you think of it thoroughly because the device can be bought online with freedom by anyone. And there are terms that i didn't researched before buying this device. I'm not hoping they would take legal action against the store where i bought my 3DS XL. I just reported the store just to calm my remorse. (see their response below)

Nintendo America Response About Retailers Selling 3DS in the Philippines

Anyway, why i'm eager about adding funds to my eShop is because of Pokebank requiring $4.99 annual service charge (see info here). My last resort would be adding funds with Nintendo 3DS Prepaid Card that can be bought locally at Datablitz (see product here).

Important lesson that you can learn with this post are:

• don't attempt to use your local credit/debit card on eshop. Nintendo eshop will charge your card without confirmation. Fortunately, I used my debit card with limited balance so it didn't eat much of my wealth ;)
• contact your bank immediately about the issue. Report the case to them and they will help you file a dispute. Good thing, UnionBank EON, my bank is accommodating and is already helping me out. Note: in my bank, they will treat the transaction as valid if it past 120 days so it's important that you check your account occasionally to see if there's a questionable transactions
• lastly, read the terms of service about the console you're buying

Hope this helps Pokemon Trainers in the Philippines having the same issue :)

Thanks!

Nintendo eShop Issue For Unlisted Countries - Credit Card Being Charged After Transaction Error

Beware: Nintendo eShop Is Charging Your Credit/Debit Card Without You Knowing

Who should pay attention to this notice? Anyone who owns a Nintendo DS/3DS system with Nintendo eShop application installed and living in the Philippines or to any unlisted countries or regions.

Note: Unlisted countries or regions are listings that can't be found or selected with the regional setting of your DS/3DS system.

So before i found what's this issue about, I was wondering why my PayPal is not crediting my debit card. I checked my card with an ATM today and to my surprise, my remaining balance is now only 5 pesos (i bill it recently with 2,000 pesos). I went home, opened my laptop, and checked my debit account online. Then, I found the culprit. It was the Nintendo eShop!

Back December 2013, the time i'm anticipating the release of PokeBank, I thought of updating my Nintendo eShop with funds because the said PokeBank app needs annual fee. As i am adding funds, It's giving me transaction errors although i rigorously input my confidential debit card information. It's not letting me add funds after multiple tries. And since that day, eShop is having a problem as announced by Nintendo, I let it go and would patiently wait for the full secure release of PokeBank app then add funds latterly when eShop is all good.

And so this is what making me upset, you can read my report to Nintendo for the story (read below):

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I just found out that you charged my EON UnionBank debit card back December 27, 2013. See screenshot of the log here:



I am surprised about what i've found because as far as i can remember - I tried to add funds in my Nintendo eShop using my UnionBank Debit card back December 27, 2013 and it tells me "Credit Card Transaction Error". I tried it multiple times and it didn't work so i stopped (not knowing, you really did charged me).

Later on, after that day, I used my debit card for other online transactions and to my surprise, my PayPal account was not able to charge my debit card... And today, I tried to check my debit card through ATM and i saw 5 peso balance. I became worried, felt I was hacked. Checking my debit card history log online, I found out just why (check my first screenshot link in the first paragraph).

Reviewing my eShop activity today, I found no log about successful transaction with eShop. Here, I took some screenshots:
   

I feel really upset about this. It's been a decade since i bought my first Nintendo gadget and with this new 3DS XL, I am really disappointed with your system.

Hope you resolve this soon. You could either apply the first transaction ($20) to my eShop and refund the second transaction as i only want the $20 funds (PREFERRED). Or if you are really being unfair to other countries like Philippines, please give back all of my debit card credits.

For your reference, here's Nintendo Network ID (if you're going to fulfill my first transaction; refund the second one):

Nintendo Network ID: *******
The last 4-digits of my debit card is: ****

And the name of the credit/debit card company i used is: UnionBank

Type of Card: Debit - EON UnionBank

Let me know if you need anything else.

Thanks.

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Actually, I researched about this issue and i am not alone. I found these related issues on Nintendo support forum:

• Eshop not adding funds, charging card
• Money Stolen by eShop
• 005-6511 Error and Bank being credited
• I can not insert credits to buy the eshop. my card is a national of Brazil
• Problem with eshop funds
• I know the eshop is having problems right now

Reading their case, I don't see a picture if their case was resolved or still waiting to be resolved. I'm logging this issue for everybody's reference and help you, of course.

If you're experiencing the same issue and don't want to call their customer support phone, you may send your case to:

   http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/webform/

Thanks!

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Part 2 of this post is now live here -> http://poketto-monsuta.blogspot.com/2014/01/nintendo-3ds-distribution-in-the-philippines-not-official.html

New Nintendo Generation

It's been a decade now since i last played Pokemon Yellow ROM in my PC. Yes, I'm not playing the official cartridge game in Gameboy Color as I couldn't afford to buy another handheld game console back those years. I only have the original classic Gameboy Transparent edition which amazingly survived for that long eventually placed inside the bin and gone. My taste for Nintendo games grew weary as i age. My interest change. I became a gamer of Sony Playstation (PSOne) to Playstation 2 (PS2) then to PC games and so on.

But upon knowing the news about the latest generation of Pokemon game in 3D, I became interested and wanting to have my own 3DS.

The New Pokemon X & Y game in 3DS Trailer

So, I bought my 3DS XL. It feels like my younger days having my classic Gameboy Transparent box. I regret not taking care of that ancient handheld console.

I am amazed to the 3D screen. I feel like living in North Korea for a decade and escaped the country to try this technology. I already saw a 3D T.V. screen but not a device with 3D screen, in-hand. Very cool!