Although Nintendo no longer produces the 3DS and Wii U, both systems still have their respective eShop virtual stores intact. That will change come late March 2023, when the company confirmed the 3DS and Wii U eShop will fully shut down.
Nintendo also confirmed some services will no longer function as we get closer to March 2023.
Starting with May 23 of this year, 3DS and Wii U owners will no longer be able to use their credit and debit cards to add funds. The slow death march will continue on August 29, when device owners will no longer be able to add eShop card funds to their eShop accounts.
There are some silver linings here, however. Download codes will remain redeemable until late March 2023.
Also, Nintendo confirmed players can redownload games and DLC, along with software updates, following the shutdown. Online play on the 3DS and Wii U will remain intact.
Finally, those who linked their Nintendo Network ID wallet with their Nintendo Account wallet will have until late March 2023 to use up their remaining balances.
To remember the good times, Nintendo launched a “My Memories” website. Once signed in, you can look back on your play history with the consoles.
The 3DS and Wii U launched in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Both consoles launched to lukewarm receptions, primarily due to their launch line-ups.
Things improved for the 3DS following a price cut and several marquee releases. After all was said and done, the 3DS sold almost 76 million units.
The Wii U wasn’t so lucky. Critics panned the console for its weak launch line-up, poor third-party support, and relatively poor marketing. Throughout its life, the Wii U sold around 13.5 million units.
If there’s one good thing that came from the Wii U, it was the Nintendo Switch. The Wii U’s GamePad paved the way for the Switch by letting you play Wii U titles with its display when you couldn’t use the TV.
