3DS and Wii U receive firmware updates, removing the ability to use eShop cards to add funds on those systems

As announced back in February of this year, the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS eShops are progressively closing down new sales, with users unable to purchase new games from March 27th, 2023. Today, firmware updates were released for both the Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of systems, removing the ability for players to add funds to their Nintendo eShop account via Wii U and 3DS using Nintendo eShop cards. The ability to add funds using a credit card was removed back in March of this year.

Those users who link the Nintendo Network ID they used on their Wii U and 3DS systems to the Nintendo account they currently use on Nintendo Switch can still add funds to their wallet via the Nintendo Switch eShop. The merged wallet balance can then be shared across all systems. For those who don't have any money left in their accounts, this is now the only way to make paid purchases on those systems.

3DS firmware update notes (US) said:

Ver. 11.16.0-48U (August 29th, 2022)

• Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience.

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Wii U firmware update notes (US) said:

Ver. 5.5.6 U (August 29th, 2022)

• Improvements to system stability and usability
  • Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience.

Click to expand...

Following the eShop closure in March 2023, some features of Pokémon Shuffle for the 3DS will no longer be available. Pokémon Bank, the paid downloadable software service that serves as a complement to the Pokémon Storage System, will continue to operate for free for all users following the closure of eShop purchases, however The Pokémon Company has not at this point in time committed to a specific time frame for the Pokémon Bank service remaining open