Notice of End of Purchases in Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS - Update April 2023
As of 27 March 2023, it will no longer be possible to make purchases on Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. It will also no longer be possible to download free content, including game demos. Furthermore, as this date draws closer, related services will cease to function:
As of 29 August 2022, it will no longer be possible to use a Nintendo eShop Card to add funds to an account on Nintendo eShop for Wii U or Nintendo 3DS. However, it will still be possible to redeem download codes until 27 March 2023.
We recommend all consumers to use any funds in their Nintendo 3DS and/or Wii U Nintendo eShop balance before the ability to purchase content ends on Monday 27 March 2023.
Users who link their Nintendo Network ID funds (used on Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS) with the funds tied to their Nintendo Account (used on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch) can use the shared funds to purchase content on any of these consoles and systems until 27 March 2023. A Nintendo Switch is not required to merge funds. After that, the funds can only be used to purchase content on Nintendo Switch.
Important: The service for merging balances will no longer be available as of March 2024. Make sure you merge your funds by 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 will not be 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 will I be able to do?
On both platforms, users will still be able to:
Redownload content they own
Download existing software updates
On both platforms, users will not be 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 will still be 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 March 2024.