Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop Permanently Shuts Down Today

Published on March 27, 2023

Today, Monday, the 27th of March, marks the closing of the Wii U and 3DS eShops.

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As per their statement, Nintendo has announced that North American stores will shut down at 5:00 PM PT / 8:00 PM ET. This is equivalent to 1:00 AM BST / 2:00 AM CET in Europe. However, no exact closing time is indicated. It is advised that customers get there earlier rather than later to avoid any disappointments.

Now is your final opportunity to purchase any digital gems you’ve been putting off…

After over ten years, Nintendo is shutting down both the Wii U and 3DS eShops, making purchasing digital games for either console impossible.

Until March 27th, 2023, you still have a chance to collect as many downloadable games as you can. However, to guarantee sufficient funds, remember that credit card payments stopped occurring on May 23rd, 2022, and Nintendo eShop cards can no longer be redeemed from August 29th, 2022.

Before 2020 ends, buying certain games before they’re gone forever is essential. Check out our list of the best 3DS eShop exclusives and some Wii U and DSiWare equivalents here and here, respectively.

Everything you should be aware of concerning the shutting down of the 3DS and Wii U eShops is gathered in a convenient location!

A Guide to the Ceasing of 3DS and Wii U eShop – Timetable, Process, and Explanation

What is the time of the closure of the Wii U eShop?

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On March 27th, 2023, the eShop for the Wii U will no longer be available.

What is the shut-down time for the 3DS eShop?

By March 27, 2023, the 3DS eShop will be shut down.

It has been established that Fire Emblem Fates will no longer be purchasable from the 3DS eShop starting from February 28, 2023. However, the extra DLC content can still be acquired until the eShop closes on March 27.

What are the implications of shutting down the eShop?

After March 27th, 2023, it will no longer be possible to purchase new games, in-game content, demos, or free-to-play software on the 3DS or Wii U eShop and redeem download codes or add funds to your account.

It will be possible to re-obtain content bought before the March 2023 cutoff for an unspecified period.

Is it still possible for me to put money in to purchase video games?

It is possible to connect your Nintendo Network ID, which is used for 3DS and Wii U, with a Nintendo Account utilized on the Switch. If this is done, your eShop funds are then accessible from the Nintendo Switch eShop, as well as the 3DS/Wii U eShops.

It won’t be possible to deposit money on the Switch after March 2023, but it can be done if your Nintendo Accounts are linked. More information on how to link them can be accessed by clicking here.

You must combine your Nintendo Network ID associated with either 3DS or Wii U with your Nintendo Account before March 2024.

It is essential to know that certain external links on this page are affiliate links. If you click on them and proceed with a purchase, we may be rewarded a small fraction of the total cost. Further details can be found in our FTC Disclosure.

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What is the cause of this?

Nintendo released the following statement regarding this topic:

It is a regular occurrence for product lines to become less popular with consumers, so we are giving more than a year of notice that purchases will end soon in order to give customers sufficient time to ready themselves.

Does this affect the Nintendo Switch eShop?

The Nintendo Switch eShop is expected to remain in proper working order. Even though Nintendo now has additional servers, we shouldn’t assume that the eShop will be automatically improved.

Yet, it is not realistic to expect any impact on the Switch eShop.

Is there a way I can obtain my games again?

If you have previously purchased a game for the 3DS or Wii U, it can be downloaded from the eShop “in the foreseeable future.”

It will be feasible to redownload materials even after March 2023, but the length of this option is uncertain.

How is online gaming?

According to the latest information, players can continue to enjoy their titles in the digital domain for an extended period beyond March 2023.

At this time, we can’t be sure of the duration.

Is it still possible to get software updates by downloading?

Software patches can be expected to come out in the long term.

Is it still possible to get free software downloads?

Until March 2023, people can download free software such as Nintendo Badge Arcade. After that date, it and the other games will vanish.

How about the Virtual Console?

It is a sad reality that, come March 2023, Virtual Consoles will cease to exist. This means that the over 530 classic games offered on the service will no longer be available to purchase or download.

Nintendo’s FAQ page originally included information about eShop closures, but the details were later removed. What was initially stated can be seen here.

When it is no longer feasible to buy software on the Nintendo eShop for the Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, many classic titles from earlier platforms will no longer be accessible for purchase. Is there an alternate method to get these classic games, or why not? Does Nintendo have a responsibility to keep their classic games available for purchase?

In our Nintendo Switch Online plans, more than 130 classic games are available in developing libraries from various legacy systems. These games often have added features, such as online play.

This is a great way to make classic content reachable to a broad range of gamers. Within these libraries, new and experienced players can find titles they remember, have heard about, and even those they may not have considered looking for.

At this time, we have no intention of providing classic content through other mediums.

It is unclear what the implications are of them taking out this section of the FAQ. Although we can wish that the Virtual Console will come back, currently, it is only something we can hope for.

Nintendo has declared that the Nintendo Switch Online service will substitute the Virtual Console. However, with no Game Boy, Game Boy Color, Game Boy Advance, DS, and Wii games currently obtainable on the platform, it will take quite some time to catch up.

How will this impact the sale of physical video games?

Physical video games are assumed to be usable as long as proper care is taken. Don’t worry, attending to them will prevent any deterioration.

Is it still possible to purchase Nintendo eShop cards labeled for the Wii U/3DS? If so, will they be usable on Switch?

If you go to a store that offers eShop cards for the Wii U and 3DS, they are still operational on the Nintendo Switch. Entering the codes on the Switch eShop is still possible.

Is it still possible to buy items within the game?

For instance, in March 2023, acquiring in-game items will no longer be possible.

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Once March 2023 has passed, Pokemon Bank will no longer require payment, so it is advisable to wait until then before utilizing the service.

Is it possible to get a game by redeeming a download code?

It will be possible to take advantage of download codes until the end of March 2023.

Is it possible to acquire 3DS themes through either downloading or purchasing?

It is a mixed answer; as of March 2023, purchasing any new themes will not be possible. However, a few free themes will be available for download.

Hence, acquiring mischievous SEGA-related items as soon as possible is advisable.

Can a 3DS system transfer be done after the eShop ceases operations?

Certainly!

To move content between 3DS consoles, users must be connected to the internet and verify their data through Nintendo’s servers. We asked for clarification, and Nintendo of the UK confirmed that system transfers will still be available even after the eShop closes for new purchases.

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