Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop Closures: What Gamers Need to Know
Entry information
Published on: March 28, 2023
Description
Nintendo has reached a major milestone in its digital platform lifecycle with the official closure of the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShops as of March 28, 2023.
This move marks the end of an era for both systems, which played pivotal roles in Nintendo’s history and helped pave the way for current platforms like the Nintendo Switch and the vibrant eShop ecosystem gamers enjoy today.
While the digital storefronts for both the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U are now closed to new purchases and downloads of free content, including demos, users can still access and redownload previously purchased titles.
Nintendo confirmed in an official message displayed on the Wii U and 3DS eShops:
"Nintendo eShop - It is no longer possible to make purchases in Nintendo eShop for the Wii U system.
It is also no longer possible to download free content, including game demos."
This language applies equally to the Nintendo 3DS.
The company has reiterated that, although new transactions and redemptions are no longer supported, players will retain access to their owned libraries for the foreseeable future—preserving beloved titles and digital purchases.
However, those hoping to fill in gaps in their collections will now need to seek out physical editions or turn to newer platforms such as the Nintendo Switch.
The 3DS and Wii U eShops served millions of players over the years.
The Nintendo 3DS itself has sold more than 75 million units worldwide since its launch in 2011, offering a robust catalog of unique Nintendo titles like Animal Crossing: New Leaf and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.
The Wii U, while not as commercially successful as other Nintendo consoles, created a dedicated fanbase with exclusive games like Splatoon and Super Mario 3D World.
As a notable update, the service Pokémon Bank, once a paid option for users transferring Pokémon between games on the 3DS, is now free to use.
This move is intended to ease the transition for long-time players and ensure continued access to one of the system’s most-valued features.
Nintendo’s decision to close the eShops highlights the company’s focus on evolving its services and investing further in the Nintendo Switch ecosystem.
Nintendo continues to provide support and content updates through the eShop on the Switch—with a growing library of digital and classic games accessible via the platform and major announcements through Nintendo Direct presentations.
For current 3DS and Wii U owners, Nintendo recommends downloading any previously purchased content to their devices sooner rather than later, as long-term access could eventually be limited by server maintenance or other unforeseen factors.
The closure of these digital storefronts reflects broader trends in the games industry toward consolidating services around active hardware platforms and enhancing digital preservation efforts.
For more information on maintaining your Nintendo 3DS and Wii U libraries after the eShop closures, consult Nintendo’s official support pages or refer to comprehensive guides from trusted gaming news outlets.
