After over a decade, the Wii U and 3DS eShops are set to be closed by Nintendo. This would stop gamers and enthusiasts from buying games from this platform in the future.
The date reported for the change was 27th March 2023. Credit card support ended almost a year ago on May 23rd, 2022, and eShop cards ceased to be redeemed on August 29th, 2022.
However, it was recently announced by Nintendo that they had re-enabled the ability to redeem the download codes on the 3DS/Wii U websites until April 3rd, 9:30 PM PT.
Players had been warned about the change months in advance. However, the reason for the extension is that players have expressed concern that many of the download codes are still redeemable.
For many, however, collections went missing as players scrambled to get their hands on games from the stores one last time.
As per @wario64 on Twitter, it was said that fans may have forgotten about the free Nintendo games, either first or third-party, in the form of vouchers accessible in the library.
In the eShop Discontinuation Q&A page, it was mentioned clearly that the eStore will be available until 3rd April for the following devices: New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, New Nintendo 2DS XL, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS, Wii U Deluxe, and the Wii U Basic.
The primary reason, as speculated, is that as we advance, Nintendo wants to focus all its resources exclusively on future projects. They do not want to be mere nostalgia merchants.
Nintendo’s stated that the products have come to their natural end of the lifecycle as they’re being consumed less and less over time. They have also stated that owned games can be redownloaded “for the foreseeable future,” along with the online play and software updates.
In-game content will also be unavailable for purchase, including anything from the “Nintendo Badge Arcade,” “The StreetPass Mii Plaza DLCs”, any themes from the 3DS theme shop, an annual pass for Pokemon Bank (which is set to go free after March 2023) and passes and DLCs to various Wii Sports Club’s sports activities.
However, there’s a mixed reaction to this move by the gaming giants. Players and fans are calling to merge the Switch, Wii U, and 3DS shops into one server to save costs.
Enthusiasts are taking to Twitter to express dismay over having unredeemable codes. Samaritans are generously giving away codes they no longer need or can’t redeem because they already have another copy.
While fans are a bit relieved at the extension of the date for the redeeming of codes, most of them are hopeful that Nintendo will change their mind about the fate to befall 3DS and Wii U eShops.
Truth be told, it is highly unlikely. But we hope for the best, while downloading the games we want to continue to play on our Wii-s and 3DS-s.
About Nintendo
Nintendo is a Japanese video game and electronic company. They are well-known throughout the world for rolling out best-selling consoles and games.
Game Boy, Wii, and Nintendo Switch, etc., are some of the consoles that Nintendo is credited for. They are also applauded for making gems like Mario, Pokemon, The Legend of Zelda, etc.
From rich finances to high honors, Nintendo has it all!
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