Nintendo Badge Arcade Partially Shuts Down: End of Daily Free Plays on Nintendo 3DS

Nintendo Badge Arcade, the quirky claw machine-style application beloved by Nintendo 3DS users, has seen a significant change in its service.

Following the worldwide shutdown of the Nintendo 3DS eShop, Nintendo has confirmed via its official Japanese website that the app will no longer provide daily free plays or rotate badge catchers, effectively marking a somber moment for long-time fans of the platform. Launched in December 2014 in Japan and later released in North America and Europe, Nintendo Badge Arcade quickly became a unique part of the Nintendo 3DS experience.

The title allowed players to win digital badges featuring classic Nintendo characters, which could be used to decorate the system’s home screen, and introduced the charismatic Arcade Bunny as its mascot.

Free plays and special events kept users returning to the service, offering both paid and limited free attempts each day. As highlighted by reputable Nintendo dataminer and commentator OatmealDome, the recent change means that, as of March 24, 2023, features such as the two daily free plays and the regular replacement of badge catchers have officially ended.

According to the official statement released on Nintendo’s website and translated for western audiences, "Notice of Partial Service Termination - As of March 24, ‘two daily free plays’ and ‘replacement of badge catchers’ has ended.

Thank you for using this service." Despite initial reports suggesting the halt in free plays might be an error, the official communication has now confirmed it was an intentional, permanent adjustment.

Players can still access free plays through the practice catcher mode; however, the core daily engagement loop that kept the Arcade Bunny at the heart of many 3DS users’ routines has concluded. Nintendo Badge Arcade’s partial shutdown comes in the wake of the global closure of the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop on March 27, 2023.

This marks the end of an era not just for Badge Arcade, but for the rich ecosystem of titles and applications that shaped the Nintendo 3DS platform’s legacy over more than a decade.

Since its debut, Nintendo Badge Arcade saw millions of downloads and introduced a playful, collector-driven mechanic that highlighted Nintendo’s talent for creative social gaming on handheld devices. The discontinuation of daily perks signals a shrinking horizon for live service applications on aging Nintendo hardware.

While current 3DS owners can still enjoy other features of Nintendo Badge Arcade, future community activities and updates are no longer planned.

For many, the end of daily free plays is more than a minor setback—it's a farewell to the Arcade Bunny and one of the quirkiest digital mascots in Nintendo history. As the Nintendo community reflects on the legacy of the 3DS and its unique experiences like Nintendo Badge Arcade, the Arcade Bunny remains an enduring symbol of the platform’s playful spirit.

The conclusion of daily support underscores Nintendo’s broader transition towards the Nintendo Switch, while the 3DS and its digital charms firmly earn their place in gaming history.

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