Nintendo will officially discontinue the eShop for its Wii U and 3DS systems in just over one year's time.
On Twitter, Nintendo of America announced: "As of late March 2023, it will no longer be possible to make Nintendo eShop purchases for the Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems." The popular video game company provided additional details on its website.
According to Nintendo, this discontinuation will affect the entire 3DS and Wii U lineups, including the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS, New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, New Nintendo 2DS XL, Wii U Basic and Wii U Deluxe. In addition to users not being able to make eShop purchases on 3DS or Wii U systems as of late March 2023, it will also "no longer be possible to download free content, including game demos."
Furthermore, even prior to March 2023, certain other eShop functions will be discontinued on 3DS and Wii U systems as well. For starters, as of May 23, 2022, it will "no longer be possible to use a credit card to add funds to an account in Nintendo eShop on Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS family of systems." Moreover, as of Aug. 29, 2022, it will "no longer be possible to use a Nintendo eShop Card to add funds to an account in Nintendo eShop on Wii U or the Nintendo 3DS family of systems." However, "it will still be possible to redeem download codes until late March 2023."
Those who "link their Nintendo Network ID wallet (used with Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems) with their Nintendo Account wallet (used with the Nintendo Switch family of systems) can use the shared balance to purchase content on any of these systems until late March 2023. After that, the balance can only be used to purchase content for the Nintendo Switch family of systems." Nintendo clarified that at this time, absolutely no changes are planned regarding eShop functionality on Nintendo Switch systems.
The changes taking place on 3DS and Wii U systems, however, "will simultaneously take effect in software on these platforms where it is possible to make purchases, such as StreetPass Mii Plaza, Theme Shop and Nintendo Badge Arcade." That said, "[e]ven after late March 2023, and for the foreseeable future, it will still be possible to redownload games and DLC, receive software updates and enjoy online play on Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems."
The follow-up to the Nintendo DS family, the Nintendo 3DS handheld system initially launched in Japan on Feb. 26, 2011 and in North America on March 27, 2011. As of Sept. 30, 2021, the 3DS has sold 75.94 million units across its various iterations. Nintendo officially discontinued the 3DS family on Sept. 16, 2020. Meanwhile, the Wii U home console launched in North America on Nov. 18, 2012 (and in Japan on Dec. 8, 2012) as the successor to the original Wii. As of Dec. 31, 2019, the Wii U has sold 13.56 million units. The system was discontinued on Jan. 31, 2017.
The Nintendo Switch, a hybrid system that can be used as either a home console or a handheld, launched on March 3, 2017. As of Dec. 31, 2021, the Switch family has sold 103.54 million units -- more than the 3DS and Wii U combined.