Notice of End of Purchases in Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS – Update January 2024
As of 27 March 2023, it is no longer possible to make purchases on Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. It is also no longer possible to download free content, including game demos. Furthermore, related services have ceased to function:
- As of 29 August 2022, it is no longer possible to use a Nintendo eShop Card to add funds to an account on Nintendo eShop for Wii U or Nintendo 3DS.
Merging your Nintendo Network ID funds (used on Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS) with the funds tied to your Nintendo Account (used on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch) will allow you to continue to use them to purchase digital download titles, DLC, passes and other similar items for Nintendo Switch.
Important: The service for merging funds will no longer be available as of 12 March 2024. Make sure you merge your funds by 12 March 2024.
No changes are planned on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch.
The changes on Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS simultaneously took effect in software on these platforms where it was possible to make purchases, such as StreetPass Mii Plaza, the Theme Shop and Nintendo Badge Arcade.
Even after 27 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 consoles and Nintendo 3DS systems.
We thank you for supporting Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS.
Q&A
How long will it still be possible to redownload previously purchased content on Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS? How long will those platforms still support online play?
For the foreseeable future, it will still be possible to redownload games and DLC, receive software updates and enjoy online play on Wii U consoles and Nintendo 3DS systems.
However, it is not possible to redownload demo versions after the end of purchases on 27 March 2023, even if you have downloaded a demo version of a game before.
If I visit Nintendo eShop for Wii U or Nintendo 3DS after 27 March 2023, what am I able to do?
On both platforms, users are still able to:
- Redownload content they own
- Download existing software updates
On both platforms, users are not able to:
- Purchase any content
- On Nintendo 3DS systems, this includes paid content, plays and passes in software such as StreetPass Mii Plaza, the Theme Shop, Nintendo Badge Arcade and Pokémon Bank.
- On Wii U consoles, this includes passes in software such as Wii Sports Club.
- Download demos
- Download free-to-start software
- Redeem download codes
- Add funds to their Nintendo eShop balance
On Nintendo 3DS systems, users are still able to:
- Download a small number of free themes from the Theme Shop
After 27 March 2023, what can I do with my existing Nintendo eShop balance on Nintendo 3DS or Wii U?
If you have unused funds on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo 3DS or Wii U, linking your Nintendo Network ID to your Nintendo Account and merging your funds will allow you to continue to use those funds to purchase digital download titles, DLC, passes and other similar items for Nintendo Switch. The service for merging funds will remain available until 12 March 2024.