Nintendo announced the discontinuation of the 3DS eShop and Wii U eShop effective “late March” 2023.
While you will still be able to redownload games and downloadable content, receive software updates and play online after this date, the ability to purchase games “will not be possible” and new content will not be released on these digital storefronts.
Credit cards can no longer be used to add money as of May 23 2022 Nintendo eShop card money can no longer be credited to eShop accounts as of August 29 2022. However, download codes can still be redeemed even late March 2023.
Here’s the full summary, courtesy of Nintendo’s official support page:
Wii U and Nintendo 3DS eShop discontinued
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
From Late March 2023However, it will not be possible to make purchases at the Nintendo eShop for the Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. It will also not be possible to download free content, including game demos. Moreover, as this date approaches, the related services will stop working:
From May 23 2022However, it will not be possible to use a credit card to add money to an account in a Nintendo eShop on Wii U or a Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
From August 29 2022However, it will not be possible to use a Nintendo eShop Card to add money to a Nintendo eShop account on the Wii U or Nintendo 3DS family of systems. However, download codes will still be redeemable until Late March 2023.
Users who link their Nintendo Network ID wallet (used with the Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems) to 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 up to Late March 2023. After that, the credit can only be used to purchase content for the Nintendo Switch family of systems.
No changes are planned for the Nintendo eShop on the Nintendo Switch family of systems.
Changes to the Nintendo eShop on Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems will take effect at the same time in programs on these platforms where purchases can be made, such as the StreetPass Mii Plaza, Theme Shop and Nintendo Badge Arcade.
even after Late March 2023And, for the foreseeable future, it will still be possible to re-download games and downloadable content, receive software updates and enjoy online gameplay on the Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems.
To celebrate the end of the eShop on the 3DS and Wii U, Nintendo launched a “My Memories” website – where you can take a look at your gaming history with each of these systems.
Thank you for supporting the Nintendo eShop on the Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. While we hope you will continue to enjoy using these systems, we have taken this opportunity to set up a website where you can look back at your time with them via various gameplay stats.
If you are still a bit confused, you can read our comprehensive FAQ The official Nintendo support page.
Nintendo previously removed credit card support from the 3DS and Wii U eShop in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. And Japan ended credit card purchases on its 3DS and Wii U eShop last month.
How do you feel about the conclusion of the Wii U and 3DS digital stores? Leave a comment below.
