Nintendo has just updated their wording on the planned eShop closure for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U with a definitive deadline. Back in February the announcement pointed to “late March 2023” but now we know that March 27th, 2023 is the day to watch out for. The rest of the deadlines and details remain the same and are repeated below but there’s been a new addition specifically related to Fire Emblem Fates:
As of 27 March 2023, it will no longer be possible to make purchases on Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. It will also no longer be possible to download free content, including game demos. Furthermore, as this date draws closer, related services will cease to function:
As of 29 August 2022, it will no longer be possible to use a Nintendo eShop Card to add funds to an account on Nintendo eShop for Wii U or Nintendo 3DS. However, it will still be possible to redeem download codes until 27 March 2023.
We recommend all consumers to use any funds in their Nintendo 3DS and/or Wii U Nintendo eShop balance before the ability to purchase content ends on Monday 27 March 2023.Users who link their Nintendo Network ID funds (used on Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS) with the funds tied to their Nintendo Account (used on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch) can use the shared funds to purchase content on any of these consoles and systems until 27 March 2023. After that, the funds can only be used to purchase content on Nintendo Switch.
No changes are planned on Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch.
The changes on Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS will simultaneously take effect in software on these platforms where it is possible to make purchases, such as StreetPass Mii Plaza, the Theme Shop and Nintendo Badge Arcade.
Even after 27 March 2023 and for the foreseeable future, it will still be possible to redownload games and DLC, receive software updates and enjoy online play on Wii U consoles and Nintendo 3DS systems.
We thank you for supporting Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS. While we hope that you will continue to enjoy using these platforms, we have taken this opportunity to prepare a website where you can look back on your time with them via various play statistics. Please visit https://my-nintendo-3ds-wiiu-memories.nintendo.com.
Nintendo Support Announcement
The notice from February mentioned services like Badge Arcade and Mii Plaza but both Nintendo Japan and Europe have now added a deadline for Fire Emblem Fates. Nintendo of America has yet to issue the same update about the game but the same situation is expected for North America soon:
Sales of the game Fire Emblem Fates will end one month earlier, on 28 February 2023. DLC for Fire Emblem Fates, including story paths accessible after the completion of Chapter 6, will still be available until 27 March 2023.
Nintendo Europe Announcement
I’ll have the Watch List calendar updated shortly with new dates and pages on the site later. If this update has you raring to grab all the exclusives from the eShops before they’re gone, take a look at our post of resources to help streamline your hunt.