The final curtain has fallen on the Wii U and 3DS eShops.
Nintendo’s digital storefronts for the Wii U and 3DS are closing their doors. Although purchasing games and DLC from the eShops will no longer be possible, players can still redownload their previously acquired games and enjoy online play for the time being.
The company initially announced the shutdown last year and stopped allowing users to add funds to their Wii U and 3DS eShop accounts in August. Regrettably, this closure signifies the end of numerous exceptional digital-only titles, including Dr. Luigi, Pokémon Rumble U, Pushmo, Pokémon Picross, and many more.
Moreover, the discontinuation will make it impossible to access the entire Virtual Console library on the 3DS and Wii U. The loss of the ability to purchase a wide range of standalone digital classics without a subscription will be keenly felt. As a result of the eShop closures, approximately 1,000 digital-only games will vanish, as reported by VGC. Around 530 are Virtual Console titles, with about 335 not yet available on Nintendo Switch Online.
The termination of the Wii U and 3DS eShops signifies a setback for video game preservation. Not only will some games be erased from existence, but accessing specific titles will become more challenging for those who continue to use the Wii U and 3DS, even if physical copies are available. The prices of physical editions for some games, such as Phoenix Wright vs. Professor Layton on 3DS and The Legend of Zelda: The Windwaker HD, have skyrocketed in the used game market while their digital counterparts remain at their original prices.
The eShop closures for the Wii U and 3DS mark a significant turning point in the gaming landscape. As digital-only titles become unavailable and physical copies of certain games become increasingly expensive, fans of these platforms may feel the pinch. It also highlights the importance of preserving digital content for future generations, as countless games and experiences will be lost over time. Looking forward, the gaming community and industry will need to find new ways to preserve and celebrate the rich history of video games.
