How to Add Funds to the Wii U and 3DS eShops Before They Close

The sun is quickly setting on Nintendo’s eShop for both the Wii U and 3DS, but fortunately, there’s still time to make purchases.

Nintendo initially made the announcement earlier this year and began a phased approach to closure with the final closure set for March 27, 2023. The company nixed the ability to use a credit card to add funds back in May and ended the use of eShop gift cards in August.

Fortunately, there is still a simple way to get funds into the eShops ahead of the final closure, providing users with some time to stock up on any last-minute purchases.

Closing the Wii U and 3DS eShops

Before jumping into funds, it’s important to note what the closure means.

On March 27, 2023, users will no longer have the ability to purchase or download new games via the online shops on their Wii U or 3DS. Users can still redownload previously purchased games and downloadable content past this date and “for the foreseeable future,” according to Nintendo.

The closure also means users can’t purchase in-game content, download demos or free-to-play software, redeem download codes, or add funds after March 27, 2023. While the manner of adding funds is limited up to March 27, you can still redeem download codes for games with no problem up until that date.

The Wii U and 3DS with frowny faces on their screens in front of a backdrop from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker. — **Image Credit:** Exputer

Nintendo Network ID vs. Nintendo Account

Another important distinction for users looking to make a last-minute purchase is the difference between your Nintendo Network ID and your Nintendo Account.

Your Nintendo Network ID, or NNID, was the account you made for the Wii U and 3DS. It can be used for buying and downloading software from the eShops and for online features such as multiplayer and interactions.

Your Nintendo Account is used on the Nintendo Switch for online services such as the eShop, mobile applications, off-device software purchases, and My Nintendo loyalty service. You likely created this account off-device and through the Nintendo Account website.

How to Add Funds to the Wii U and 3DS eShops

Users will need to link their NNID and Nintendo Account in order to continue to add funds at this point. You can achieve this by:

Enabling Non-Nintendo Device Access: Weirdly enough, your NNID does not recognize the Switch as a Nintendo system. You can work around this by accessing your NNID settings on either the Wii U or 3DS. Next, go to the “Non-Nintendo Devices” tab and choose it. You can then make your NNID accessible to non-Nintendo devices upon clicking yes and entering your password.

Link NNID and Nintendo Account: Head over to the Nintendo website and log into your Nintendo Account. Click your icon in the upper-right corner of the page and select “account settings.” Once there, scroll to the bottom of the page where you will see the “Linked Accounts” list. The first one should be NNID. Click edit and enter your NNID username and password. Your accounts should then successfully link.

Add funds to your account: With the link in place, you are ready to add funds and they should reflect in both the Wii U and 3DS eShops. You can do this one of two ways. You can either add them to your account via the Switch or through the website. Either way, the money should show up in both shops and you can continue your shopping.

Characters from the Game Boy Advance title Golden Sun, which will no longer be available after the 3DS and Wii U eShops close. — *Golden Sun* was one of many titles that will disappear once the Wii U and 3DS eShops close until Nintendo announced the release of Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles on Nintendo Switch Online. (**Image Credit:** Nintendo via Nintendo Life)

One Last Time: The Wii U and 3DS eShops

Both the Wii U and 3DS eShops are home to numerous games that are exclusive to this generation of consoles, including indie games, downloadable content, and larger games.

It’s worth noting that many physical copies of Wii U and 3DS titles are going for outrageously large prices. The eShops maintain the original price, but users don’t benefit from owning the physical edition.

Still, it may be worth it if you missed a title and don’t want to fork out a small fortune. I am doing this with both Dragon Quest VII and Dragon Quest VIII on the 3DS as physical copies of these games are selling for over $100 in places.

Users should also keep in mind there are numerous retro titles that will disappear once the eShops close. While many NES, SNES, and Nintendo 64 titles made their way to the Switch, titles from the Game Boy Advance, DS, and the Wii have not.

[UPDATE: Nintendo recently announced the addition of Game Boy and Game Boy Advance titles to the Nintendo Switch Online services, some of which are on the Wii U and 3DS eShops. Nintendo also announced the release of Metroid Prime Remastered.]

These include several Fire Emblem games, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, some Metroid titles including the Metroid Prime Trilogy, some Mario and Luigi games, and Phantom Hourglass and Spirit Tracks in The Legend of Zelda series.

Be sure to consult lists of what games are disappearing for good, at this time. Nintendo Life constructed a handy list that includes every game on both the Wii U and 3DS eShops.

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