Quick, you don't have long until the 3DS eShop closes down for good!

Nintendo 3DS
(Image credit: Nintendo)

Nintendo has announced the exact date for when it plans to close the Wii U and 3DS eShops for good.

If you're still planning on buying games digitally from the Wii U and 3DS stores, you'll have until March 27 next year to do so. The Japanese publisher made the announcement on its official support website.

You have much less time to add funds to these stores with a Nintendo eShop Card, though. On August 29 – just over a month from now – you'll no longer be able to add prepaid funds with these cards. However, you'll still have until the shutdown date next year to use these funds on digital Wii U and 3DS titles.

Nintendo isn't outright deleting these stores or their online functionalities, though. It announced that you can still redownload previously purchased software, DLC, and updates from the stores "for the foreseeable future."

Someone playing Mario on a Wii U

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Going, going, gone

With the Nintendo Switch soaring in sales ever since its launch half a decade ago, it's understandably become the company's key focus. Unfortunately, one knock-on effect of that has been waning interest (outside of collectors) in decade-old hardware like the Wii U and 3DS.

Personally, I can't help but feel like the closure of the Wii U and 3DS eShops is premature. The 3DS, especially, is home to a vast library of great games that are far easier to buy and play digitally. 3DS games that have any degree of rarity, such as the Etrian Odyssey series, Rhythm Thief, and Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright, are all much harder to find physically. Not to mention such games command outrageous prices among second-hand sellers.

The Wii U didn't have as many hidden gems, but its library of games turned out to be solid by the end of its lifespan, thanks to games like Xenoblade Chronicles X (still waiting on that Switch port). The Wii U's eShop was also notable for selling coveted Wii games like Metroid Prime Trilogy at remarkably affordable prices.

If you still own a Wii U or 3DS and boot them up every so often, now's the time to hit those eShops and make sure you've scoured the libraries before the cutoff date. The best 3DS eShop exclusive games will be gone forever after March 27, for example. So barring any future re-releases, you have until then to secure your library of games.

Rhys Wood
Hardware Editor

Rhys is TRG's Hardware Editor, and has been part of the TechRadar team for more than two years. Particularly passionate about high-quality third-party controllers and headsets, as well as the latest and greatest in fight sticks and VR, Rhys strives to provide easy-to-read, informative coverage on gaming hardware of all kinds. As for the games themselves, Rhys is especially keen on fighting and racing games, as well as soulslikes and RPGs.

Read more
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo is set to discontinue Gold Points rewards a week before the Switch 2 Direct
Nintendo Switch Lite
I think now could be the best time to buy a Nintendo Switch instead of waiting for the Nintendo Switch 2, here’s why
Better eShop
'Better eShop' launches as an improved alternative to the Nintendo Switch store with better browsing and discoverability
Super Mario Odyssey played on a Nintendo Switch in portable mode
Nintendo's 2024 in review: Even more exclusives but still no Switch 2 to play them on
Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo
The Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo is coming to participating retailers in March 2025, no Switch Online membership required
Nintendo Switch
From Nintendo Switch 2 to new games and accessories: here's what to expect from Nintendo in 2025
Latest in Nintendo 3DS
Nintendo 3DS
Quick, you don't have long until the 3DS eShop closes down for good!
eShop game Mario and Donkey Kong Tipping Stars
Best Nintendo 3DS eShop exclusive games to buy before they're gone for ever
Nintendo 3DS
Celebrating Nintendo 3DS: our favorite memories of Nintendo's 3D handheld
Bravely Default 2
Bravely Default 2 review
Nintendo 3DS
5 reasons you should buy a Nintendo 3DS over the Nintendo Switch
Nintendo has no plans to give up on the 3DS just yet
Latest in News
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough
Brad Pitt looks over his right shoulder with 'F1' written behind him
Apple Original Films will take you behind-the-scenes of a racing cockpit in this new thrilling F1 movie trailer
AI writer
Coding AI tells developer to write it himself
Reacher looking down at another character from the Prime Video TV series Reacher
Reacher season 3 becomes Prime Video’s biggest returning show thanks to Hollywood’s biggest heavyweight
Finger Presses Orange Button Domain Name Registration on Black Keyboard Background. Closeup View
I visited the world’s first registered .com domain – and you won’t believe what it’s offering today
Image showing detail of the Leica D-Lux 8
Still can't get a Fujifilm X100VI? This premium Leica compact costs less, and it's in stock