It's the end of an era, as both the Nintendo Wii U and 3DS will be moving on to that great end-of-life cloud in the sky. Nintendo has put out a warning that they'll be winding down support both the eShop on both platforms. Starting May 23 of this year, credit cards will no longer be able to be used to add funds to the 3DS or Wii U eShop, with support for physical eShop cards going away on August 29th. Digital download codes will still work and will be redeemable until the final plug is pulled in March 2023.

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.

In an FAQ released alongside the announcement, Nintendo clarified that this will not affect online play, and users will still be able to redownload games they have previously purchased.

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.

Nintendo released the 3DS in March 2011, with multiple revisions to the handheld released throughout its lifetime. The Wii U came out in November 2012, and had a short life, being officially discontinued after the launch of the more successful Switch in 2017. The Virtual Console service was well known on either system, where classic games were sold individually, ranging from decades of Nintendo history. Nintendo chose to mention that they currently have no plans to continue the Virtual Console line, and will be focusing support on the Nintendo Switch Online classic library.

Source

 

[Glyptofane]

Hackers are going to go all out to make sure they rip the cleanest ROMs possible

Time to rip some music.

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The closing is expected. The Wii Shop was 12 years and two months old when it closed. The 3DS will be 12 when the shop closes its doors.
Kinda sad to see it go, but gg 3DS. Great gameplay experience. Definitely a handheld I will be keeping forever.

For sure. My original 3DSXL is the one I still use despite being in pretty rough shape, but I got a N3DSXL as well that has barely been used. I just wanted to be able to continue with the system for a decent number of additional years.

 

[Axido]

It might still be a while, but now that this pops up I wonder when they will abandon the redownload option on Wii and DSi. That's gonna be the moment I will lose faith in ANY digital download storefront.

 

[Tsukiru]

It might still be a while, but now that this pops up I wonder when they will abandon the redownload option on Wii and DSi. That's gonna be the moment I will lose faith in ANY digital download storefront.

It's been a wonderful (awful) year for the concept of online ownership and accessibility, apparently.

 

[64bitmodels]

meanwhile microsoft is still keeping the 360 store up even though the console is 17 years old

 

[Tsukiru]

Microsoft has done really with their accessibility and backwards compatibility. Shame they all can't be like that.

 

[Ferris1000]

...and that's why I don't buy any Digital Contents.

 

[XDel]

And this is why we need back up capabilities in our WiiU's. Thank God for that new hack!

 

[64bitmodels]

It might still be a while, but now that this pops up I wonder when they will abandon the redownload option on Wii and DSi. That's gonna be the moment I will lose faith in ANY digital download storefront.

even GOG?

 

[the_randomizer]

With Nintendo saying "we have no plans for other ways of obtaining older games than NSO" it's like they're encouraging piracy

 

[linuxares]

dump all the missing content!

 

[Plazorn]

I guess this is why HShop exists, to preserve 3DS games.
Now I am seeing another generation of consoles dying before my eyes, I am afraid the Vita is next...

 

[Caleck]

Bruuh, this was a question they had up on their website, but they took it down. Here's the archive link

It's like they're trying to taunt us

 

[djpannda]

OH NOO .. ::: Look at my 6tb drive::: Preservation !!!!

 

[chrisrlink]

why i bet nintendo would force shutdown 3ds rom sites despite this there has to be some leway and the DMCA needs to be altered or struck down in it's entirety the entire copyright ystem/bernie convention neve even made notes or "what if's"

 

[ZeroFX]

never used, always pirated or physical.

 

[chrisrlink]

View attachment 298323

Bruuh, this was a question they had up on their website, but they took it down. Here's the archive link

It's like they're trying to taunt us

nintendo just struck a chord with me with this taking down a resonable argument (which is factual) just shows how hard they are trying to sweep this under the rug

 

[Chary]

A good few have already seen this but in case some haven't: https://my-nintendo-3ds-wiiu-memories.nintendo.com/en-US/index.html#top

That will show you your most played games on either of the two consoles. Cute feature.



I'm surprised I played so much on my legitimate 3ds lol.

This however was no surprise

 

[BaamAlex]

Good that i have as good as every wii u game via usb helper xD

 

[WG481]

For sure. My original 3DSXL is the one I still use despite being in pretty rough shape, but I got a N3DSXL as well that has barely been used. I just wanted to be able to continue with the system for a decent number of additional years.

The 3DS is like the portable Wii. It will never die!

 

[Dust2dust]

If the people at Nintendo had real business skills, they know this was an opportunity like no other. The Wii U in particular ... sales for games on that console have I'm sure been all but dead now for 3-4 years at least. For the last 3 months that the e-shop is running, or some time frame like that, Nintendo could drop the price on all their 1st party releases for Wii U to ... $15, give or take. Only on the e-shop, i.e. only digital downloads. If they did that, people would fire up those dusty Wii U's, update them, and buy games at a great price, while they could still be bought. And since we're only talking digital downloads, it'd be pure profit. Pure profit, 100% sales that otherwise would never happen.


They'll never do it of course. They'd commit harakiri first.

To you and me, what you say makes sense, but for Nintendo, reducing significantly the price of their 1st party games for old consoles would cheapen the perceived value of their IP. That means people would be less willing to buy 1st party games for the Switch at full price. Since Nintendo is not short of cash right now, they judge it's not worth it to have a big sale on old 3DS and Wii U titles.