Nintendo 3DS StreetPass After the eShop Closure: A Close Look at the Feature's Future

This week marks a significant turning point for fans of Nintendo's acclaimed handhelds, as the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop services officially closed their digital doors.

The eShop platforms, which long served as hubs for discovering and downloading games, virtual console classics, and indie gems, became unavailable to new transactions, prompting an outpouring of nostalgia and reflection among dedicated fans.

With the end of these digital storefronts, attention has quickly shifted to how other beloved features—most notably, the 3DS’s innovative StreetPass—will fare in the post-eShop era. Launched globally between 2011 and 2013, the Nintendo 3DS revolutionized handheld gaming not only with its glasses-free stereoscopic 3D but also through community-driven features like StreetPass.

StreetPass turned everyday encounters into opportunities for sharing game data and Miis through local wireless communication, fostering a vibrant sense of connection among players.

Since 2011, millions participated in StreetPass exchanges, both intentionally at events and organically in daily travel. Yet, with the closure of the 3DS eShop as of March 27, 2023, many users are questioning whether this social cornerstone of Nintendo handheld gaming can endure.

Recent coverage by video producer Zion and the Nintendo Life team highlights the renewed attention StreetPass has received in 2023, even going as far as organizing a StreetPass-focused event at this year’s PAX West.

Zion notes that while the eShop’s closure is bittersweet, StreetPass itself remains functional, allowing fans to continue engaging with its unique connectivity features provided they own a 3DS or 2DS system. "The end of the eShop doesn't mean the end of StreetPass.

As long as people carry their Nintendo 3DS systems, the StreetPass feature will continue to work locally, allowing those connections to flourish," Zion summarized in his latest update.

While new digital downloads are no longer possible, users can still enjoy pre-installed StreetPass Plaza games, as well as any content previously downloaded to their devices. StreetPass's future will naturally be shaped by its active user base and opportunities for in-person events, especially as Nintendo’s attention focuses on the Nintendo Switch and future hardware.

However, the community remains dedicated.

Events like the one at PAX West showcase the enduring passion of 3DS fans and highlight how StreetPass remains a celebrated part of Nintendo’s handheld legacy—living on through the players themselves. As the industry continues to evolve, the Nintendo 3DS’s StreetPass serves as a reminder of the power of in-person gaming connections, even in an increasingly digital and online-focused era.

While the eShop has officially closed, StreetPass persists, ensuring that the handheld’s innovative spirit endures in the hands of its fans.

Nintendo eShop Wii Wii U 3DS Xbox Series X|S StreetPass Nintendo 3DS