Freeshop is a 3DS software piracy tool that took advantage of Nintendo's lack of online safeguards. The Japanese game maker though, managed to shut down the main distribution site.

About Freeshop

Officially, Freeshop is a customized software tool intended for 3DS players to download games that they legitimately owned. More often though, it's actually used for illegal 3DS game downloads.

How Does It Work

All 3DS games bought and downloaded online are given virtual tickets that are actually stored in the owner's unit. The ticket is supposed to allow customers maintain a backup copy for their game. In theory, using Freeshop to download the game is not illegal. Pirates need to obtain the 3DS keys first before they can download the game using the software. Unfortunately, Nintendo and the authorities see that's reason enough to shut down its main distribution site.

The Takedown

When Freeshop users visited their favorite 3DS software tool site they saw a DMCA notice put in place instead. TheCruel, the Github user who created the Freeshop distribution page did not have any second thoughts expressing his sentiment. TheCruel posted his displeasure against Nintendo but immediately conceded that he isn't contending the DMCA takedown. He blamed the Japanese company for its security lapses that made it possible for pirates to download the 3DS games.

More Where It Came From

The main Freeshop distribution site may have been shut down but other alternative sites have sprung up. The software itself is in the hands of many 3DS players which mean that users will continue to use it. There is also the fact the Freeshop is not the only tool capable of illegally downloading 3DS games.

Industry observers believed that Nintendo may have acted too little too late in the situation. Although, the Japanese game maker is determined to close all existing security gaps. The $20,000 reward for any information regarding an existing 3DS security glitch is still good.