Nintendo Announces the Shut Down of 3DS and Wii U eShop

Digital stores all run on a timer, especially on consoles. Eventually, the services will go offline and today Nintendo has announced the end of eShop support for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U.

Nintendo will begin shutting down the service this May 23rd, with Nintendo removing the ability to add funds through a credit card. After August 29th eShop prepared cards will be discontinued and on March 23rd, 2023 the service will reach its end. Nintendo will allow gamers to redownload existing content they own.

<>Q&A

Why is this happening?

This is part of the natural lifecycle for any product line as it becomes less used by consumers over time.

<>Why are you announcing this now?

We are providing this notice more than a year in advance of the end of purchases so users will have plenty of time to prepare.

<>Are any other services or functions of Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS family of systems going to be discontinued, such as online play?

There are no plans to make any further changes at this time.

<>How long will it still be possible to redownload previously purchased content in Nintendo eShop for Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS family of systems? How long will those systems still support online play?

For the foreseeable future, 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.

<>There are still Nintendo eShop Cards at retailers that show the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS logos. What will happen to them?

These cards will continue to be at retail while supplies last.

All Nintendo eShop Cards can be used to add funds to a Nintendo Account balance for use on the Nintendo Switch

This can be done via Nintendo eShop on the system itself.

If someone visits Nintendo eShop and wants to download something on Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS family systems after late March 2023, what will they able to do?

On both platforms, users will still be able to:

Redownload content they own

Download existing software updates

On both platforms, users will not be able to:

Purchase any content

On Nintendo 3DS, this includes paid content, plays and passes in software such as StreetPass Mii Plaza, Theme Shop, Nintendo Badge Arcade and Pokémon Bank.

On Wii U, this includes passes in software such as Wii Sports Club.

Download demos

Download free-to-start software

Redeem a download code

Add funds to their Nintendo eShop balance

On Nintendo 3DS family systems, users will still be able to:

Download a small number of free themes from Theme Shop

This means that digital-only games will become inaccessible such as Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies or Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice. Physical games are likely to rise in cost due to the removal of digital options.

Adam Siddiqui,
Managing Editor, NoobFeed