Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop Shutdown: Over 1,000 Digital-Only Games Set to Be Lost

Nintendo's Official 3DS and Wii U eShop Shutdown to Remove Over 1,000 Digital-Only Titles Nintendo recently announced a significant change to its digital ecosystem: the 3DS and Wii U eShop stores will be shutting down in a phased process, signaling the end of an era for digital content on these legacy platforms.

As one of the world’s most influential gaming companies, Nintendo’s eShop platforms have played a major part in distributing thousands of digital titles to players worldwide since their launch.

With this closure, a substantial catalog of classic and indie games is at risk of disappearing for good. The phased closure, which was first announced by Nintendo in February 2022, will result in the inability to use credit cards on the eShop platforms starting 23rd May 2022.

The company also stated that eShop card funds could no longer be added to user accounts as of 29th August 2022.

However, players will still be able to redeem download codes until late March 2023—after which, the ability to purchase or download new titles from the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop will be permanently discontinued. Industry tracking by Video Games Chronicle (VGC) reveals the magnitude of this digital loss: approximately 2,000 games are currently available across the two legacy eShop platforms in the west, with an estimated 1,000 of these being digital-only releases.

The breakdown indicates that around 450 digital-only games are exclusive to the Wii U, while about 600 are exclusive to the 3DS.

Additionally, hundreds of titles—such as almost 100 Wii U and 300 3DS games—are also available in physical form, but will lose their digital presence. Another significant casualty is the collection of Virtual Console titles.

Nearly 530 Virtual Console games will become unavailable, with around 350 of these not currently offered through Nintendo Switch Online’s growing library.

This includes many fan-favorite classic titles from Nintendo’s extensive history, further underscoring the impact of the closure on game preservation and accessibility. A representative statement provided by Nintendo confirmed these changes, emphasizing the company’s ongoing transition of legacy services as user engagement shifts toward the current Nintendo Switch platform and its online offerings.

While acknowledging the disappointment for long-time supporters, Nintendo reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a diverse gaming experience through Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Online. Notably, games like Fire Emblem Fates: Revelation, along with its downloadable content, are among those set to be permanently removed from access, unless made available through future services like Switch Online.

The closure is seen as a major moment in the history of Nintendo’s digital distribution, raising concerns within both the gaming community and preservation circles over the fate of unique and lesser-known titles. The shutdown follows industry-wide trends among console makers, with a growing focus on new hardware and current-generation digital ecosystems.

Nintendo encourages players to utilize remaining time and resources to secure any wanted content before the eShop doors close for 3DS and Wii U. For further updates on Nintendo eShop transitions and the latest from Nintendo Direct presentations, continue following our coverage for verified news and in-depth analysis.

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