The prepaid points cards currently available will not be compatible with the 3DS.

Nintendo's prepaid points cards have been around since the release of the Wii in 2006 and made their way onto the DSi several years ago. However, when the 3DS is released gamers who have some left over will not be able to use them.

Kotaku notes that the official Japanese website claims "Prepaid Nintendo point cards cannot be used with the Nintendo 3DS. Prepaid point cards that can be used with the 3DS will go on sale at a later date."

The current cards will continue to work for the DSiWare and WiiWare services but if you were hoping to use up your current points to download some Virtual Console titles on the 3DS then think again.