Gaming [noob question] playing online without updating firmware

[CrazySpaniard]

Hi I'm buying a US New 3DS when it comes out on Friday, and I don't want to update the firmware because I want to get a Gateway when N3DS support comes out.

However in the mean time I want to buy Smash 3DS and play online with my friends. Will I be able to play the retail cart online without updating my 3DS firmware? or will it make me update before letting me play online

 

[GameSystem]

I'm pretty sure you don't have to update to play online, but Smash has a patch on the eShop that is required to play online. Since you didn't download the patch already, you have to update to access the eShop to download the patch to play online.

 

[CrazySpaniard]

does the patch update the Smash cartridge itself? what if I installed the update on a different 3ds, would I be able to then use that cartridge online then without updating my n3ds?

 

[GameSystem]

The update is applied to the 3ds and not the game card. If Devmenu or BigBlueMenu work on N3DS, you can install the patch that way without having to update or access eShop.