Hmm yeah. Best friend got himself a 3DS and is really pushing me to buy one so we can play stuff together like we do already on PC, PS3, PSV.

Despite having a huge backlog to play (PS Plus, PC), getting a 3DS wouldn't be a bad idea because it isn't that expensive and it means I'll get to play a new Pokemon later this year (I'm quite a fan), and also other gems such as Fire Emblem: A (love SRPGs) and the DS catalogue.

HOWEVER:

I tend to buy a lot of digital stuff and I have heard horror stories such as digital content being tied to consoles and not an account, etc. Is that still true or that's something of the past, please? I want to have access to my digital library whenever I log in a friend's 3DS, or whenever my 3DS bricks or breaks or gets stolen.

So want to know: how does Nintendo's account system work at this very moment?

thanks

They have those?

Yeah that's what I need to know. Like, will I create have people add my login, such as "SenseiLovesJigglypuff"? And I login on Nintendo's site with that ID, and Nintendo consoles too, that kind of stuff?

You have the option to move all your data, including your eShop-account (with all games) to another 3DS. But that needs, that you have both systems and they are both functional. So it not works for broken or bricked 3DS. Though I bet in that cases the customer-support will help. I don't know how they will react in the case of theft.

if pokemon is your thing then yeah its good, but after you get done with a few good games it gets old and gathers dust quick. I did the nintendo account thing and bought super mario 2 on it digitally. I guess it follows you, i know i had to register the actual serial on the 3ds, i did enough surveys to get some nice legend of zelda posters and then forgot about it.

For that: no. But as they announced to bring Miiverse to 3DS, that have to include also the option of a Nintendo Network ID, like on WiiU, that includes a fancy name and the possibility to log into other sites to acces your Miiverse-account.

simple....don't buy digital games
Judging by the complaints I heard of digital games on the Wii transferring to Wii-U
I suggest you wouldn't!

Software is tied to your NNID.

However, currently your NNID is tied to your console (3DS or WiiU).

Nintendo did state that this won't be the case long term. They said THIS YEAR it will change and accounts will be moveable across hardware. With that, I'd imagine the digital games could move to. The caveat to that is it would only be the same hardware. So 3DS to another 3DS or WiiU to another WiiU. Then looking at how Nintendo handles moves of content, it would likely be a one way move and not allowed on multiple hardware at the same time.

Thanks. 

Problem is, I usually import and I'm afraid one customer support won't work for me if my console is from a diff region. I really need to think about it, or even buy physical games then.

That being said. is 3DS region free?

@superchunk: They said they're changing this this year? Maybe if I'm lucky it could be changed already by Pokemon X/Y release date...

Unfortunately the 3DS is region locked