While plenty of gamers are often focusing on upcoming and present releases, hyping themselves up for titles launching in the near future, there is still plenty of love for games of the past, especially those that make an impression on the player. For those who still enjoy playing on older consoles, it can be disheartening to hear that companies are planning to shut down the digital stores for those machines. Earlier this year, Nintendo announced plans to close the Wii U and 3DS eShops.This isn't the first time Nintendo has shut down a digital store. In 2019, the Wii Shop Channel shut down, giving players no way to digitally purchase new titles for the console. Many fans have tried to protest the closure of the Wii U and 3DS eShops, but it seems Nintendo isn't going to budge on the decision, as shown by a recent discovery of some scheduled maintenance for the digital storefronts.During this maintenance, it is expected that Nintendo will move further with its staged plans to close the Wii U and 3DS eShops. As outlined in a tweet made by the video game company in July, after August 29, users will no longer be able to add digital funds to their accounts. However, it seems Nintendo may be giving gamers a short, extra bit of time to add some funds to their accounts, as the maintenance won't be taking place until August 30.
This then prepares the Wii U and 3DS eShops for their full closure, which takes place on March 27, 2023. From there, Nintendo has outlined that fans can still play the games they have already downloaded online, and they will still have access to their games library to install titles. Software updates will also be reportedly available too, but it seems that is up to the developers more than Nintendo. However, users won't be able to add any new games through the digital storefronts.
A lot of fans and even some big names in the gaming industry have been reminding gamers about the upcoming shut down of the popular eShops. Recently, the creator of Super Smash Bros Masahiro Sakurai mentioned how the coming weeks and months would be a "last chance" for gamers to get their hands on some titles they may not be able to play in the future following the shut down.
Nintendo will close the Wii U and 3DS eShops on March 27, 2023. Users won't be able to add new funds to their accounts after August 29, 2022.