The Nintendo 3DS eShop will be shutting down, and you will no longer be able to purchase digital games for the system
From a financial standpoint, it makes perfect sense; the Nintendo Switch has been available for more than six years, and the small number of people purchasing 3DS games likely doesn’t justify Nintendo paying to keep the eShop servers running. However, from a consumer standpoint, the 3DS eShop’s closure may be one of the saddest storefront closures in the video game industry’s history. Some 3DS games, such as Miitopia, have been ported to the Nintendo Switch, but the vast majority have not and will not be. Those that do get ported will also be missing the distinguishing feature that made the 3DS so unique.
When the 3DS debuted in 2010, it rode the wave of a 3D renaissance sparked by films like Avatar. The PS3 and Xbox 360 were also exploring 3D gaming, but they required expensive 3D TVs and glasses. In contrast, the 3DS offered a glasses-free 3D experience, making it a potentially ideal platform for 3D gaming. Users had the flexibility to disable or adjust the 3D feature. Although this unique selling point was initially challenging for buyers to grasp, Nintendo addressed early struggles by lowering the system’s price, leading to improved sales.
The Nintendo DS earned a reputation for hosting distinctive and quirky titles, and the 3DS continued this tradition. In the later stages of the DS’s life, DSiware was introduced, offering exclusive games for DSi users. The 3DS, launching with a digital storefront that included DSiWare games, continued to embrace unique and unconventional titles from various developers.
While not every 3DS game utilized the system’s signature 3D feature, some games incorporated it impressively. As the system aged, some developers opted to omit the feature, but those who embraced it left a lasting impression. For instance, titles like Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove demonstrated the potential of 3D, adding value to the 3DS version of games available on multiple platforms. Nintendo’s Super Mario 3D Land creatively integrated 3D into the gameplay, showcasing the feature’s potential.
Every video game system has a finite lifespan, and consumers eventually look forward to the next big innovation. The Nintendo Switch successfully bridged the gap between handheld and console gaming, a feat that seemed unthinkable during the 3DS era. Traditionally, console support ended within a year or two of a new release, but the rise of digital exclusive games has altered this dynamic. Digital storefronts like the 3DS eShop provided a platform for developers to release games with lower overhead costs.
However, the downside is that once these storefronts close, access to these games is lost. In the pre-digital era, enthusiasts could seek out used or unsold physical copies of games, but the digital age has made this more challenging. Closing the eShop further limits the ability to build collections of every title released on that platform.
Media preservation has become an increasingly prominent topic in recent years, extending beyond the video game industry to encompass films and television series that have been lost to time. Video games, however, face a higher risk of becoming lost media due to the constant evolution of technology over the past four decades. Developers and publishers may go out of business or fail to keep track of assets, leading to entire games being lost or becoming inaccessible.
Major players like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft are still grappling with the challenges of navigating the digital era. Nintendo provided ample notice about the closure of the 3DS eShop, and some publishers offered significant discounts during that time. However, this doesn’t address the concern for future users who may discover the system long after its prime, much like retro consoles such as the Super Nintendo. It’s disheartening, especially considering that games making the jump to other platforms won’t retain the same stereoscopic 3D effect. Even though the 3DS has been off the market for a while, the impending closure of the eShop marks the end of an era, evoking a sense of sadness.