Nintendo has anunciado el cierre de las eShops de Wii U y 3DS en marzo del próximo año. While you will still be able to download games and DLC you've previously purchased from digital storefronts, it will no longer be possible to purchase new titles, download demos, redeem download codes, or add backgrounds.
In a blog post on the publisher's website, Nintendo says closing e-stores is simply part of the "natural life cycle" of consoles, though there are no immediate plans to close its online game feature stores.
If you've already added digital funds to storefronts, you'll be able to transfer any remaining balance to the Nintendo Switch eShop after they close next year. In addition to this, any remaining eShop cards sold by retailers displaying the Wii U or 3DS logo can be used to add funds to your Nintendo Account for use on the Nintendo Switch.
Nintendo hasn't stipulated exactly how long eShops will remain supported, only suggesting that players will be able to re-download their games, DLC, and receive software updates for their existing purchases for "the foreseeable future."
It also launched a new 3DS and Wii U Memories webpage that reveals many of its console playtime stats.
Analysis: The NES era is now subscription-only
With the Nintendo 3DS now 11 years old and the Wii U celebrating its 3th anniversary later this year, the closure of their eShops shouldn't come as much of a surprise. Operating, maintaining and upgrading a digital store is expensive, so Nintendo will be looking to reduce spending on older consoles. Sony tried to make, but then reversed, a similar move with the PlayStation Store for PSXNUMX and Vita last year.
More aggravating, however, is that the closure of e-stores will prevent gamers from buying and owning many classic Nintendo titles. While the Nintendo Switch Online subscription service gives you access to a library of gems from the NES and SNES era, the Wii U and 3DS eShops include a larger selection of classic titles and allow you to purchase the games directly, rather than directly. having to pay a monthly fee. .
As Kotaku saw, Nintendo's original announcement came with a Q&A explaining the decision to remove older titles from purchase. This section was removed, but it would have said, "Are you going to make the classic games available in another way?" But because? Doesn't Nintendo have an obligation to preserve its classic games by continually putting them up for sale? »
In response, Nintendo said: “Through our Nintendo Switch Online subscription plans, more than 130 classic games are currently available in growing libraries for various legacy systems. Games are often enriched with new features, such as online play.
"We believe this is an effective way to make classic content easily accessible to a wide range of gamers. In these libraries, new and veteran gamers can not only find games they remember or have heard of, but also other fun games that you may not have thought of looking for otherwise.
"We currently have no plans to offer classic content in any other way."
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