Nintendo gamers warned they could LOSE money if two major console services close

Tech & Gadgets

NINTENDO gamers have been warned that they could lose the money in their 3DS and Wii U eShop accounts if the company closes online services for both consoles.

Players have until March 11 at 6am GMT / 10pm PT to transfer the remaining funds to a Nintendo Account.

Nintendo says discontinuing online services for 3DS and Wii U consoles is part of the 'natural life cycle' of technologyCredit: AFP

If players fail to transfer money from their 3DS or Wii U account to a Nintendo Account, that money will be lost in the etherCredit: Getty

Online play for 3DS and Wii U will end on April 8, 2024 at 12:00 GMT / 4:00 PM PT.

For those in Japan, it will be the morning of April 9, at 9am.

This is part of the natural life cycle of any product line as it becomes less used by consumers over time.

Nintendo

Nintendo has one help page its website explains how players can best navigate the transition.

“Effective March 27, 2023 at 5:00 PM Pacific Time, purchases from Nintendo eShop will no longer be possible for the Wii U console and Nintendo 3DS family systems,” the company said.

“It is also no longer possible to download free content, including game demos.

“Users who link their Nintendo Network ID wallet (used with the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems) to their Nintendo Account wallet (used with the Nintendo Switch systems) can use the shared balance to purchase content on the Nintendo Switch family of systems.”

If players fail to transfer money from their 3DS or Wii U account to a Nintendo Account, that money will be lost in the ether.

Even if you don't have a Switch console, it's advisable to create an account and transfer your money.

Here is a list of all consoles that will be affected:

New Nintendo3DS
New Nintendo 3DS XL
New Nintendo 2DS XL
Nintendo 3ds
Nintendo 3DSXL
Nintendo2DS
Wii U Deluxe
Wii U Basic

Nintendo says the discontinuation of online services for 3DS and Wii U consoles is part of the “natural life cycle” of technology, as each device is used less by consumers over time.

The first versions of the 3DS and Wii U consoles were released in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

But the 3DS family hardware was officially discontinued in September 2020.

Wii U consoles went out of production even earlier, in January 2017, when it was succeeded by the wildly popular Nintendo Switch.

The Wii U was first released in 2012, but had poor sales throughout its life cycleCredit: Nintendo

Explained: What is a Nintendo Account?

And what is the difference between a Nintendo Account and a Nintendo Network ID?

A Nintendo Account is what Switch console players use to purchase games and items from the Nintendo eShop.

Even if you don't have a switch, you can still create an account to merge the leftover money from your 3DS or Wii U eShop account.

A Nintendo Account is created outside the console, on a PC, tablet or smartphone, via the Nintendo website here.

Only users aged 16 or older can create their own Nintendo Account.

Accounts for children under the age of 16 may be added to a Nintendo Account family group by their parent/guardian.

Parents can also link a Nintendo Account to multiple Switch consoles.

It is important to note that only one email address can be associated with one Nintendo Account.

A Nintendo Network ID (NNID) is created and used on a Wii U console and/or Nintendo 3DS system.

NNIDs are used for online features, such as online multiplayer or interactions, and can be used for eShop purchases until March 27, when these services will no longer be active.