Time is running out for Wii U and 3DS fans – the last chance to buy digital games for these classic consoles is quietly approaching, and once the storefronts close, many titles may vanish forever.
If you haven’t used either console in a while, or if you’re buying a used model right as they’re about to slip further into obscurity (I fully support this decision), it can be confusing to know exactly how to give Nintendo your money in exchange for digital games.
Can’t I just use a credit card?
Credit cards won’t work for Wii U and 3DS eShop purchases. Nintendo shut down online services for both consoles in 2024, blocking new buys through the built-in stores. You need a Nintendo Account tied to a region-matching eShop, plus methods like prepaid cards or Nintendo eShop gift cards bought from approved retailers. Direct card payments from banks outside Nintendo’s system fail entirely now. Act fast, since server support ends March 31, 2026.
No, you can no longer add your credit card to these systems to buy a game. That functionality was removed in May 2022. Slightly later in the year, Nintendo made it so you can’t redeem eShop gift cards via these consoles. As of now, you have two options for adding funds to purchase eShop games for 3DS and Wii U. One is through My Nintendo Store, the Nintendo website where you can redeem an eShop gift card to put funds on your account, or purchase the exact game that you want with said funds, or with a credit card.
Alternatively, you can redeem an eShop gift card or digitally add funds through your Nintendo Switch via its eShop. This assumes that your old Nintendo Network ID and your Nintendo Account have been merged (more on the merging process below).
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OK, funds are added. Time to downlo-
With funds now in your Nintendo account, grab those Wii U and 3DS titles from the eShop before the cutoff hits. Nintendo plans to shut down online services and purchases by March 2026, so act fast on any last-minute buys. Follow our step-by-step guide to complete the process smoothly and secure your games.
Wait. There’s one more hurdle that you might have to jump over, unless you’ve done it already. That is the merging of your Nintendo Network ID with a Nintendo Account, the latter of which is what Nintendo introduced in 2017 with the Switch and continues to use (both the 3DS family of systems and the Wii U use NNID accounts). Your shared eShop balance, if you have a balance, will show up on these consoles once you’ve merged them onto a singular Nintendo Account.
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How can I buy digital 3DS games?
Access the Nintendo eShop on your 3DS console through the HOME menu. Select your preferred currency and region if prompted. Browse or search for 3DS titles, then choose the one you want. Tap the price to buy with a credit card or PayPal-funds appear in your balance right away. Download the game from your purchase history and launch it from the HOME screen. Act fast, since Nintendo plans to shut down the eShop later this year.
This one’s easy. Once you have your accounts merged and are armed with some eShop funds, you can buy games directly through your 3DS or 2DS console. However, I suggest shopping on the My Nintendo Store website, which is much faster to navigate and checkout through. You can easily search for 3DS games there – many of which are heavily discounted ahead of the eShop store’s closure.
How can I buy digital Wii U games?
You can still buy digital Wii U games using the Nintendo eShop on the console, but only if you have funds already added to your Nintendo Account. The option to add money directly through the Wii U eShop has been removed, so you’ll need to top up your balance through the Nintendo Switch eShop or Nintendo’s website before making a purchase. Once your account has funds, you can browse the Wii U eShop, buy the games you want, and download them directly to your system while the service remains available.
This one’s a little tougher. Wii U games and all Virtual Console games purchasable through the Wii U eShop aren’t available through your browser on the My Nintendo Store. That’s too bad! To load up on games, you’ll need to do that directly through the Wii U’s endearing, yet very sluggish interface.
What happens to my eShop balance after March 27?
After March 27, your remaining eShop balance will not disappear, but you will no longer be able to make new purchases on the Wii U or Nintendo 3DS eShops. If your Nintendo Account is linked to your Nintendo Network ID, the balance will merge and still be usable on other platforms, such as the Nintendo Switch eShop. However, any unlinked funds will stay tied to your old accounts and can’t be spent unless you make that connection before the cutoff date.
Assuming you’ve merged accounts, the remaining balance on either device will be available for use on Switch digital games. If you don’t merge your accounts before the closure, you’ll likely lose your funds.
Can I redownload games that I’ve purchased?
Yes, you can redownload any Wii U or 3DS game tied to your Nintendo Account from the eShop as long as the store remains active. Nintendo allows access to purchased titles through your account library on either console. Link both systems to the same account if you own them to pull games across devices. Server shutdowns will block new downloads and updates, so grab your library files now while possible.
How to merge Wii U 3DS eShop funds to Nintendo Switch
Merging Wii U and 3DS eShop funds to a Nintendo Switch is no longer possible. Nintendo discontinued this feature on March 12, 2024.
Key Details
Funds from Nintendo Network IDs (NNID, used for Wii U/3DS) could previously be merged with Nintendo Account balances (used for Switch) via Nintendo’s website or eShop.
This allowed shared use across platforms until the Wii U/3DS eShops closed for purchases in March 2023.
Post-merger, balances became permanent and couldn’t be separated or unlinked without losing NNID access.
Current Situation
Any unmerged funds left on Wii U or 3DS eShops after March 12, 2024, are now inaccessible.
Redownloads of previously purchased games/DLC remain available on those systems, but new buys stopped in 2023.
No refunds or transfers are offered for leftover balances.
What to do with remaining Wii U 3DS eShop funds now
Remaining Wii U and 3DS eShop funds cannot be used or transferred anymore. Nintendo ended the fund-merging service on March 12, 2024, so any unmerged balances are now inaccessible.
No Official Options
You can still redownload previously purchased games, DLC, and updates on your Wii U or 3DS devices, but no new purchases or fund access is possible.
Nintendo does not offer refunds, transfers, or refunds for leftover funds post-deadline.
Contacting Nintendo support won’t help, as they’ve confirmed the policy closes all paths.
Unofficial Workarounds
Some users discuss homebrew/modding communities (e.g., on Reddit) for potential access to spend funds on custom content, but this risks bricking your device, bans, or legal issues-avoid unless expert.
Selling the console with funds noted might recover minor value via private markets, though buyers face the same limits.
