Goodbye to Classic Games: Nintendo Wii U and 3DS eShops Shutting Down

It’s the end of an era for Nintendo fans as the beloved Wii U and 3DS eShops are closing down on March 27th, 2023. With the shutdown just around the corner, players will no longer be able to purchase new games or DLC from either eShop, leaving only a limited time to access these digital storefronts. However, the good news is that players can still redownload the games they’ve already purchased and continue to play online.

A Year in the Making: Nintendo’s Warning

Nintendo first announced the shutdown of both digital storefronts last year, leaving fans with plenty of time to prepare for the inevitable closure. The company barred users from loading money into the Wii U and 3DS eShops in August 2022, signaling the beginning of the end for these popular online marketplaces.

Farewell to Digital-Only Classics

• With the eShop closures, we’ll have to bid farewell to hundreds of amazing digital-only titles available on both stores. Players will not be able to purchase the full range of Virtual Console games on the 3DS and Wii U.

• We’re set to lose around a thousand digital-only games as a result of the eShop shutdowns. Approximately 500+ of these games are Virtual Console titles, with around 300+ of them not even available through Nintendo Switch Online yet. Losing access to these games is not only heartbreaking but also a step back in video game preservation.

The Impact on Video Game Preservation

• The closure of the Wii U and 3DS eShops marks a significant step back in video game preservation. Removing some games, will make it more difficult for people who still own and play the Wii U and 3DS to access certain games, even if they are available as physical copies. Personally, I’d prefer to get the hard copies so I can look back on them and eventually pass them on to future generations.

• In some cases, physical versions of games have become prohibitively expensive on 3DS. Meanwhile, the digital versions maintain their original price, making it more difficult for fans to access their favorite titles.

The Future of Nintendo’s Digital Marketplace

• Nintendo’s reputation for producing high-quality games has always been well-known, and although the shutdown of the Wii U and 3DS eShops might be disappointing, it does not mean the end of the company’s digital marketplace. Nintendo Switch Online is constantly expanding its collection of classic games, and the Nintendo Switch eShop remains vibrant, with regular releases of thrilling new games and DLC.

• Although the shutdown of the Wii U and 3DS eShops may bring mixed emotions, we can find solace in the fact that the games we adored will always hold a special place in our hearts. Whether we played them on our Wii U, 3DS, or Nintendo Switch, the enchantment of Nintendo’s digital-only titles will stay with us forever.

If you have any questions regarding Nintendo, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay with us, here at Spiel Times.

Make sure you subscribe to our push-notifications and never miss an update from the world of video games, cinema, and sports. You can also follow us on Twitter @spieltimes for the latest PS5 restock and drop. Until next time, Stay Safe and Happy Gaming!