Nintendo has announced that eShop purchases for both the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii U are to end in March 2023. Free content and demos will also cease to be available for download. This is part of the natural lifecycle for any product line as it becomes less used by consumers over time,” Nintendo explained.
In the run up to March 2023, related services will also be closed in a staggered approach.
From 23rd May 2022: “it will no longer be possible to use a credit card to add funds to an account in Nintendo eShop on Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.”
From 29th August 2022: “it will no longer be possible to use a Nintendo eShop Card to add funds to an account in Nintendo eShop on Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. However, it will still be possible to redeem download codes until late March 2023.”
What does the end of eShop purchases mean?
With the end of digital eShop purchases, Nintendo’s extensive library of 3DS and Wii U titles will become unavailable digitally. This means there will be no method to purchase digital-only games. There’s also the issue of classic game preservation. The 3DS/Wii U eShop hosting numerous Game Boy Advance ports that will also become unavailable.
Nintendo confirmed that after March 2023 “it will still be possible to redownload games and DLC, receive software updates and enjoy online play on Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.”
This news marks the end of an era for Nintendo. The Wii U was released a decade ago and fell far short of its predecessor’s monumental success. The 3DS, on the other hand, performed much better. It shifted more than 75 million units.
How do you feel about Nintendo ending eShop purchases for the Wii U and 3DS? Do you still play those systems? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other gaming articles…
