Earning and Using Nintendo 3DS Play Coins GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Gaming > Consoles & PCs 99 99 people found this article helpful

What Are Nintendo 3DS Play Coins and How Do You Use Them?

Play Coins bring Nintendo rewards into the real world

By Nadia Oxford Nadia Oxford Writer William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute Nadia Oxford is a former Lifewire writer with 10+ years' experience. Her articles have appeared in Pocket Games Magazine, Play Magazine, Game Pro, IGN and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on March 11, 2020 Tweet Share Email Nintendo Tweet Share Email Consoles & PCs Xbox Buyer's Guide Play Coins are a digital currency that you earn when you physically walk with your Nintendo 3DS or 3DS XL in Sleep Mode. Play Coins are used to purchase apps and special items in some games.

How to Collect Play Coins

The 3DS devices feature a pedometer that can track your steps. For every 100 steps you take, you earn one Play Coin. You can earn up to 10 Play Coins a day through walking, and you can bank up to 300 Play Coins at any one time. Play Coins will accumulate when your 3DS/XL is in Sleep Mode, regardless of whether the system is parked on the main menu or in a game. However, you cannot collect Play Coins or Mii characters (in StreetPass) if your system is turned off, so remember to have it in Sleep Mode if you're out and about.

Spending Play Coins

StreetPass Mii Plaza

When you carry your Nintendo 3DS with you, not only are you able to earn Play Coins, but you can also acquire new features and collect other Mii characters whenever your device is within range of other 3DS devices. Play Coins you earned while walking can also be spent in StreetPass. For example, they can be used to purchase unlocks in StreetPass mini-games. Play Coins can buy puzzle pieces in the Puzzle Swap mini-game that’s included with the Nintendo 3DS/XL hardware. This is particularly useful for those who live in sparsely populated areas where there are not as many chances of crossing paths with other 3DS owners who have their devices with them. Or, you just may not have much luck running into 3DS owners even in populated areas.

AR Games Shop

Nintendo 3DS features several augmented reality (AR) games such as archery and fishing. There is also a shop associated with these AR games where you can spend your Play Coins. You unlock the shop by completing the six AR games. Retail games also make use of Play Coins for purchases. Game Play Coin Purchases Animal Crossing: New Leaf Buy the fortune cookie item Kid Icarus: Uprising Buy eggs for the Idol Toss game The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Buy hints Lego Star Wars 3 Buy characters Pokemon Rumble World Buy invitations for Mii visitors to your plaza Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy Buy treasure hunt challenges Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D Buy weapon sets The Sims 3: Pets Buy karma points Sonic Generations Buy new missions Super Smash Bros. Buy trophies
The Nintendo Wiki has a complete list of games that utilize Play Coins. Because your Nintendo 3DS/XL senses motion like walking to award Play Coins, it will register some other types of motion and award Play Coins. For example, shaking your 3DS/XL may also earn you Play Coins. Some players have placed their devices on washers or dryers to earn Play Coins, but this may not work in all cases. Placing your device in a washer or dryer is definitely NOT a way to lazily earn Play Coins. This will only earn you a broken device and permanently prevent you from earning Play Coins. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Get More StreetPasses on Your Nintendo 3DS How to Transfer Data From a Nintendo 3DS SD Card Can I Play Nintendo DS Games on the 3DS? Are the Nintendo 3DS and 3DS XL Backward Compatible? Setting Up Nintendo 3DS Parental Controls Nintendo 3DS vs. 2DS Can I Play Nintendo 3DS Games on the Wii U? The Nintendo 3DS Is Region Locked How to Add a Friend Code on Your Nintendo 3DS How Much Does the Nintendo 3DS Cost? Make Money (Bells) in 'Animal Crossing: New Leaf' How to Perform a Hard Reset on Your Nintendo 3DS How to Redeem Nintendo 3DS Codes How to Make a Nintendo Network ID on Your Nintendo 3DS How to Set up Wi-Fi on Your Nintendo 3DS XL How to Buy Games From the Nintendo 3DS eShop Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies