Time Is Running Out For The Wii U and 3DS eShops

Caitlyn Taylor February 28th, 2023 - 8:30 AM

Following its first announcement in 2022, the end date for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS eShops is drawing closer. Including downloadable free content like game demos, March 27, 2023, marks the end of all transactions in these eShops. A recent article by Nintendo Support goes over what users will expect in the coming months and how they can prepare as the company grows closer to fully discontinuing its previous systems.Previously, on May 23, 2022, Nintendo shut down adding funds with credit cards to an account in Nintendo eShop on Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS systems. August 29, 2022, it ended the adding of funds with Nintendo eShop Cards to an account in Nintendo eShop on Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS systems. That said, Nintendo provided a way for users to be able to increase their balance in the short time that is left.

According to Nintendo Support, users can link their Nintendo Network ID wallet for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems with their Nintendo Account wallet for a shared balance to purchase any content until March 27, 2023. Unfortunately, the balance will revert toward Nintendo Switch system purchases once the date arrives. Nintendo eShop Wii U and 3DS cards that are still in circulation will still be supportable while supplies last. Following March 27, all eShop cards can be added to a Nintendo Account balance for Nintendo Switch systems.

Additionally, these changes will not only simultaneously affect the Nintendo eShop on Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS, but other software where users can make purchases like StreetPass Mii Plaza, Theme Shop, and Nintendo Badge Arcade. That said, users will still be able to receive software updates, use online play, and even re-download games and DLC in the future. Again this likely only affects games already purchased.

The Wii U and 3DS brought forth many ups and downs for Nintendo, even so, many fans still hold love for these consoles for the memories that they made. In celebration of the life of these systems, Nintendo created a website for fans to look back on what made them so special.

For more information on the Wii U and 3DS eShop’s closing, visit Nintendo Support’s article and Q&A here.