It’s Official, the 3DS and Wii U eShop are No More

Didja Gets Those Games?

The digital doors have slammed shut on the 3DS and Wii U eShops. No more downloads, no more DLC purchases, no more hunting for those elusive indie gems. While Nintendo gave a year’s notice, the void left by this closure still stings. Websites scrambled to create lists of must-have games before the final curtain fell. From major gaming outlets like Polygon and Nintendo Life to smaller, dedicated communities, the recommendations poured in. Even though credit card payments stopped on May 23, 2022, adding funds to your Nintendo Network ID remained possible until the stores closed, although many missed the last minute sales opportunity.

Did you secure the games you wanted? There were some last-minute sales, notably a significant Capcom sale offering 3DS Ace Attorney games for a remarkably low price. Monster Hunter games also saw discounted prices, but Atlus, sadly, didn’t participate in the final sale bonanza, leaving many fans disappointed. The absence of substantial discounts on beloved titles like Persona 3 and Shin Megami Tensei is a true pity.

Expect the Price of Physical 3DS and Wii U Games to Skyrocket

The eShop’s demise has already begun to reverberate through the market. Physical copies of 3DS and Wii U games are now facing increased demand and rising prices. The 3DS itself, and other handheld consoles, already saw significant price hikes. Demand for physical media is sure to surge further as the digital-only era ends, leading to an inevitable upward trend in physical game prices.

While Nintendo rarely ports older titles, some exceptions exist (Rune Factory 4, MegaMan Legacy Collection). However, many first-party titles, including prized series like Fire Emblem, Pokémon, and The Legend of Zelda, remain exclusive to the Wii U and 3DS platforms. These titles, already high in demand, will experience a further escalation in price, making them even more valuable for collectors.

The Completionist Did God’s Work

The closure of these eShops represents a significant loss for gaming history. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of smaller indie games, along with major titles like The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker HD, are now inaccessible to many. The inaccessibility of these titles feels like an irreversible loss for the gaming community. To prevent these titles from disappearing completely, a YouTuber, known as The Completionist, took on an ambitious task: purchasing every game available on both eShops.

• He amassed a staggering collection of 1,547 3DS games and 866 Wii U games.
• This included every Virtual Console title, DSiWare game, and DLC.
• His total expenditure amounted to an impressive $22,791.

This monumental task, far from being just a hobby, became a vital preservation effort. The Completionist intends to donate his massive collection to the Video Game History Foundation, ensuring their archival preservation.

Is Emulation the Way?

Nintendo’s historical resistance to emulation has often raised eyebrows. However, with the eShops gone, emulation now presents a viable, and often necessary, alternative for accessing the vast library of games on these platforms. While physical copies could be pursued, they’re often expensive and won’t include every possible digital exclusive title.

Emulation software has significantly improved. Citra, a highly regarded Nintendo 3DS emulator, and RetroArch, a versatile platform for various retro consoles, offer users access to a considerable range of games. Citra is particularly impressive, and works well on computers and Android phones. RetroArch boasts compatibility with countless retro platforms, making it a one-stop shop for exploration.