Gaming New Swapnote Update Released - December 15, 2020

[Larsenv]

It's the end of 2020, and there is a new Swapnote update out! I'm pretty surprised.

On Nintendo's site, it lists the update as "Swapnote Remastered". https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/54060/~/how-to-update-swapnote

Nintendo Korea's site notes that the update makes further changes to the game and such. https://www.nintendo.co.kr/3DS/customer/re_exchange_diary/index.php

I updated my copy of the app and saw no immediate changes, so maybe they're under-the-hood changes. Or they are patching a potential exploit?

The game was apparently unlisted in the eShop for some reason (well that's what user @sks316 said a few years ago), so maybe this update is to get it back in the shop.

Also, Swapnote (and its amazing sequel, Swapdoodle) were not completely developed by Nintendo. They were developed by a company called Denyu-sha. Maybe it was their idea to make this update?

 

[Shawn ShyGuy]

"swapnote remastered" makes me woefully hopeful for something to come to switch as well.

 

[slimbizzy]

doesn't look like anything was changed UI wise. maybe it was something to do with the friend function or the shop function? two things that make good contenders.

 

[Jeremy970]

Swapnote is really weird sometimes, I recommend the pictochat.cia, I dont remember if it has online compatibility or not but pictochat is really fun for local. Just lookup pictochat.cia download on google and you should find a github link

 

[MilesTheCreator]

The only change I noticed so far is the OK button being removed in discontinued message (you can still dismiss it by tapping the message).

And why did they call it "Remastered"?? I'm confused. :/

EDIT: I looked into the romfs.. they re-compressed a few files, other than that, nothing changed at all.

 

[Brawl345]

No update in europe. And why remaster? And why update the 2011 application when Swapdoodle is nearly the exact same thing? Very strange...
On a side note: I have good memories of Swapnote/Letter Box. The early years of the 3DS were really magical somehow.

 

[Larsenv]

I have a theory as to why they updated it, maybe someone reported an exploit to Nintendo. They will definitely update the app for that.

A year or so ago, they patched a dangerous exploit that was reported that could allow you to run unsigned code using StreetPass.

 

[slimbizzy]

I have a theory as to why they updated it, maybe someone reported an exploit to Nintendo. They will definitely update the app for that.

A year or so ago, they patched a dangerous exploit that was reported that could allow you to run unsigned code using StreetPass.

in all honesty, a patch for an exploit seems the only good reason. especially since it's still discontinued. but at the same time it's a little odd... because they could be patching other exploits such as the most common one people use to homebrew? perhaps it's a hidden message! na...

 

[PrincessLillie]

The game was apparently unlisted in the eShop for some reason (well that's what user @sks316 said a few years ago), so maybe this update is to get it back in the shop.

It was not just "some reason", it was because the online services for Swapnote were discontinued and Nintendo wanted to push people to Swapdoodle, it's successor. Highly unlikely it'll come back, though the sudden update and listing of "Swapnote Remastered" are rather interesting and raise some questions.

 

[Essasetic]

If it's worth anything, the exact same day the update came out. Nbayoh teased a new exploit for the 3DS.
https://twitter.com/MrNbaYoh/status/1338996023662944256?s=19

 

[Alexander1970]

The Update maybe because of this "News" ?

https://www.3dbrew.org/w/index.php?title=3DS_System_Flaws&type=revision&diff=21358&oldid=21355

https://github.com/TuxSH/universal-otherapp

 

[Deleted member 668561]

first thing that comes to mind, they patched something that would prevent effectively be the equivalent of letterbomb? (sending malformed doodles to cause a crash?)