Nintendo of Europe has reminded players of the 3DS and Wii U eShop closures scheduled for next month and advised them on what they can do in preparation for the closure.
Reminder: as of 27/03/2023, purchases on #eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS will be discontinued.
Until March 2024, you can merge your unused Nintendo eShop balance to your Nintendo Account, so that it can be used on #NintendoSwitch.
More details: https://t.co/7pRyDRUOuN— Nintendo of Europe (@NintendoEurope) February 16, 2023
After March 27, making purchases on the Nintendo eShop for the Wii U system and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems will no longer be possible, NintendoLife tells us.
Merge eShop Funds with Nintendo Accounts
To merge 3DS and Wii U eShop funds with a Nintendo account, Nintendo support tells us that users should link their Nintendo Network ID to their Nintendo Account.
The service for merging funds will remain available until March 2024. After that date, players can only use the balance to purchase content for the Nintendo Switch family of systems.
What We Know About the eShop Closure
Even after the eShop shuts down, users can still redownload games and DLC, get software updates, and play online on Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems. Reports say there are currently no plans to make any more changes to the online play on either console.
Nintendo also said that other services, like StreetPass Mii Plaza, Theme Shop, and Nintendo Badge Arcade, will be affected by the end of the eShop. Demos of games and other free content will not be available for download after March 27.
Why are 3DS & Wii U eShops Closing?
The company says that the closure is "part of the natural lifecycle of product lines." Users have had over a year to prepare for the end of purchases.
Read Also: Nintendo Game Boy Library for Switch Online Offers MORE Titles in Japan
Nintendo eShop Cards will still be sold at stores with the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS logos as long as supplies last.
You can add funds to your Nintendo Account with these cards so you can use them on the Nintendo Switch family of systems, either through the system itself or the My Nintendo Store.
Merge Nintendo Accounts ASAP
It is recommended that Nintendo players merge their accounts as soon as possible in preparation for the transition. Until March 27, users who link their Nintendo Network ID wallet with their Nintendo Account wallet can utilize the pooled balance to purchase content on any of the said platforms. Following that date, the amount can only be used to buy Nintendo Switch family system content.
Users have until March 2024 to merge their 3DS and Wii U eShop payments with their Nintendo Account, even though the eShop's closure is nearing. Nintendo has also created a website where gamers can access various play statistics to reminisce on their time with the platforms.
In Other News
The iconic Harvest Moon simulation game series is coming back to PlayStation with the re-release of "Harvest Moon: Return to Nature," developed and published by Natsume Inc.
Tech Times reports that on February 21, PlayStation Plus members will be able to download the classic farming simulator for free.
Stay posted here at Tech Times.
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