Nintendo fans furious after content they purchased suddenly becomes inaccessible forever

In an age when digital media is on the rise accessing our favourite forms of media has never been easier but with that luxury is the prospect of losing our paid-for content at a moment's notice as experienced by Nintendo fans recently.

This month, Nintendo closed its digital eShop for the 3DS and Wii U, meaning that games and DLC purchased via those digital stores could no longer be accessed. It’s a sad time sure, but considering that the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U were released in 2011 and 2012 respectively, it could be argued that the closures were overdue, as disappointing as it may be.

Check out the Super Smash Bros. trailer below!

Worst still, not only did the closure of both eShop platforms result in video games and DLC no longer being accessible but Pokémon players had lost their creatures due to the closure of online services. This had a direct impact on the Global Trading System, Player Seach Systems and Wonder Trades on the Nintendo 3DS.

Now the closure of the Nintendo online services has impacted even more gamers, in particular, those who play Super Smash Bros. for the Wii U and 3DS. Thanks to the closure, gamers cannot access paid DLC for both impacted platforms and understandably, fans aren't happy.

“At 5pm PDT on April 8, 2024, online play and other functionality that uses online communication was discontinued for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software, including software exclusive to New Nintendo 3DS,” said Nintendo in a statement. “This also includes online co-operative play, internet rankings, and data distribution.”

In terms of what the closure meant for DLC, Nintendo said in an FAQ: “For the foreseeable future, it is still possible to download update data and redownload purchased software and downloadable content from Nintendo eShop.” Well, it seems that the foreseeable future is now, for Super Smash Bros. gamers.

Because the digital store is no more on Wii U and 3DS, if you need to re-download your content, then you’ve potentially lost that content forever. If for whatever reason your current consoles stopped working and you needed to acquire a new one, you will not be able to re-download your paid-for content on the console and you will only be able to access content included on the disc or cartridge.

“Super Smash Bros. (3DS) DLC is no longer re-downloadable,” exclaimed Reddit user Tjoeb123. “Thanks, Nintendo for not caring about games preservation outside of Nintendo Switch Online re-releases.”

“This is the end game for all digital-only services. People are surprised when it actually happens, but we've known for years it's coming,” replied No_Establishment7368.

“This is how digital purchases always end up, I’m afraid, said lingeringwill2. “Now everyone understands why we buy physical Nintendo Switch games,” replied nichijouuuu.

Hopefully, Nintendo will find a way for gamers to access the content that they paid for on the Wii U and 3DS, which also extends beyond Pokémon and Super Smash Bros. However, I wouldn't recommend holding your breath waiting for that to happen.