Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop to close in March 2023

Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop to close in March 2023
Ben Borthwick Updated on by

Posted in News

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Nintendo has announced it will shutter the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo 3DS & Wii U consoles by late March 2023.

The company updated their Nintendo Support page with the following statement. “As of late March 2023, it will no longer be possible to make purchases on Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. It will also no longer be possible to download free content, including game demos.”

Additionally, you won’t be able to add funds for the Wii U/3DS eShop using a Nintendo eShop Card from August 29. You will, however, still be able to redeem download codes on the older systems until late March 2023. Following that date, you’ll only be able to use the funds for Nintendo Switch purchases. The changes will also effect in-game purchases for 3DS and Wii U games, where appropriate.

Nintendo note that even after the cut-off date, it’ll still be possible to redownload games and DLC you already own. The company says it’ll remain this way “for the foreseeable future”, which may be some relief to collectors. However, demos, free-to-start games & more will no longer be downloadable. The Pokémon Company in Japan also added (as per Serebii) that the Pokémon Bank storage system will become free-to-use on the shutoff date.

It’s disappointing news for collectors and those interested in game preservation efforts. Interestingly, Kotaku spotted an original version of the FAQ with an extra question that’s since been removed. It said the company has “no plans to offer classic content in other ways” outside of Nintendo Switch Online.

For now, it looks like March 2023 will be the end of the road for the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo 3DS & Wii U.