While the closing of the 3DS and Wii U blinds is still set for March 27, 2023, Nintendo has just made a major clarification regarding the merger of the remaining balances of players. Explanations.
As you may know, Nintendo confirmed in July 2022 that the Wii U and 3DS stores will close soon. The two online stores will close their doors on March 27, 2023. On this date, players will no longer be able to make purchases in the Nintendo eShop on the two consoles, or download free content such as playable demos.
Furthermore and since August 29, 2022, players can no longer fund their account using a Nintendo eShop Card in the Nintendo eShop of both machines. On its official website, BigN recommends users to use their balance on the Wii U or 3DS eShop before March 27, 2023date of the closing of the shops.
(2/2) Until March 2024, you can merge the unused balance with your Nintendo Account so that you can then use it in Nintendo eShop on Nintendo Switch.
More informations : https://t.co/cVfsOAvSGd
— Nintendo France (@NintendoFrance) February 16, 2023
Also to read : Sony admits mistake – PS3 and PS Vita stores won’t close after all
One more year to transfer your credits to the Switch eShop
However, Nintendo has just updated its blog article devoted to the subject this Friday, February 17, 2023. We can read there in particular that if the user decides to “merge the balances of a Nintendo Network ID (used in Nintendo eShop on Wi U and 3DS) and a Nintendo Account (used in Nintendo eShop on Switch)”, it will be possible to use these funds to purchase content from the hybrid console store.
Good news, then, if you have a well-stocked wallet on the Nintendo Network account of your Wii U or your 3DS. This money will not be lost since you can transfer it to use it on Switch. Nevertheless, it will be necessary to proceed with the transfer quickly. As the Japanese firm points out, “the service to merge balances will no longer be available after March 2024″. In other words, you therefore have a little over a year to save your remaining credits.
Also in its article, Nintendo adds that it will still be possible to redownload games and downloadable content, receive software updates and use online gaming features on the Wii U and 3DS after March 2023. However , the manufacturer does not specify for how long unfortunately.
