Nintendo will shut down the 3DS and Wii U eShop in March 2023 making it impossible to purchase digital content for both gaming devices.
The company has announced that by the end of March next year, users will no longer be able to make purchases on the eShop but they can still download games and DLC they have already purchased in the past. In addition, no credit cards will be accepted in the store from 23 May 2022, and download codes have to be redeemed by the time the store functions go offline next year.
READ MORE Xbox Game Pass Price Drop in South Africa and Monthly Tiered Packages Leaked
Nintendo also says that all eShop cards should also be redeemed by 29 August this year to avoid losing the function to redeem them. Here is a full breakdown of the shutdown:
This applies to New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, New Nintendo 2DS XL, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS, Wii U Deluxe, Wii U Basic
As of late March 2023, it will no longer be possible to make purchases in Nintendo eShop for the Wii U system and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. It will also no longer be possible to download free content, including game demos. Furthermore, as this date draws closer, related services will cease to function:
As of May 23, 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.
As of August 29, 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.
Users who link their Nintendo Network ID wallet (used with Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems) with their Nintendo Account wallet (used with the Nintendo Switch family of systems) can use the shared balance to purchase content on any of these systems until late March 2023. After that, the balance can only be used to purchase content for the Nintendo Switch family of systems.
No changes are planned for Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch family of systems.
The changes to Nintendo eShop on Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems will simultaneously take effect in software on these platforms where it is possible to make purchases, such as StreetPass Mii Plaza, Theme Shop and Nintendo Badge Arcade.
Even after late March 2023, and 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.
Nintendo has set up a nifty “My Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Memories” page where users can look back at their time with the gaming devices. You simply need to sign in to your Nintendo Account to view your stats. You can check it out here.
