Nintendo officially closed the eShops of both Wii U and 3DS on Monday, March 27 yet it appears that players can still redeem their game codes this week.
The Japanese gaming giant has extended the grace period for users who want to get digital codes for their old consoles.
Nintendo 3DS/Wii U Gamers Can Redeem Codes on eShop
HOLLYWOOD, CA - MARCH 26: General view of the atmosphere at Nintendo 3DS exclusive launch event at Siren Studios on March 26, 2011 in Hollywood, California.
According to a report by Engadget, Nintendo has announced that there are new changes for the scheduled eShop shutdown for Wii U and 3DS consoles.
The company wrote in its customer support forum that users are now capable of obtaining download codes because the supposed date of the eShop shutdown is launched earlier than scheduled.
ニンテンドー3DSシリーズおよびWii Uの「ニンテンドーeショップ」での商品の販売（ダウンロードソフト、追加コンテンツ、利用券、ゲーム内アイテムの販売）は、本日午前9時をもって終了いたしました。
— 任天堂サポート (@nintendo_cs) March 28, 2023
長らくご愛顧いただき、誠にありがとうございました。 https://t.co/v6NPtOsY1X
"Sales of products (download software, additional content, tickets, and in-game items) at the Nintendo 3DS series and Wii U eShop ended at 9 am today. Thank you very much for your long patronage," the company tweets.
Nintendo apologized for the inconvenience that it caused especially for players who rushed to redeem their codes on 3DS/Wii U eShops.
For players who are wondering about the time when they can redeem their outstanding codes, check these out for your reference.
- PDT - April 3 at 9.30pm
- EDT - April 4 at 12.30am
- BST - April 4 at 5.30am
Can You Add Funds to Your Wii U/3DS eShop Balance?
It's noteworthy to know that while Nintendo re-allows users to claim their existing game codes on eShops, they won't be able anymore to add funds to their balance, Video Games Chronicle reports.
According to the gaming news site, the ability to replenish your eShop funds via prepaid eShop cards was already halted in August 2022.
To be clear, the changes are only limited to digital game downloads or download content (DLC) that you purchase from the eShop.
Nintendo also clarified that even after March 27, players can receive software updates for their Nintendo 3DS and Wii U consoles.
As of now, VGC details that about 1,000 digital games on 3DS and Wii U eShops reportedly vanished after the implementation.
Related Article: Nintendo Reminds Users to Merge 3DS and Wii U eShop Funds Before Closure
Nintendo 3DS eShop Closure is Quite 'Upsetting'
According to a report by Nintendo Life, Brjann Sigurgeirsson, the series creator of SteamWorld said that it was sad seeing Nintendo 3DS eShop go away this year.
Sigurgeirsson, who is also a co-founder of Thunderful Group, added that gamers could no longer access their own release "SteamWorld: Tower Defense."
Having said that, he hopes that the title will be ported to Nintendo Switch one day since he thinks that the latest closure is a little bit "upsetting" on his part.
Although there's no assurance that the DSiWare exclusive will be a Switch game in the future, Brjann admits that he would like to see it happening anytime on the next-gen platform.
Read Also: Nintendo Switch Eshop Spring Sale: Enjoy 30% Discount for Select Shmup Titles Until April 16
