Nintendo eShop

The Nintendo eShop is a service on the Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, and Nintendo Switch that allows players to purchase and download games and DLC digitally on their systems with Nintendo eShop cards and credit cards, as well as in the Nintendo Switch version. It was launched on Nintendo 3DS on June 6, 2011 in North America and one day later in Japan, Europe, and Oceania. The service launched on Wii U and Nintendo Switch alongside the respective launches of those consoles.

As of a December 9, 2013 update, a Nintendo Network ID is required to download free and demo software from the Nintendo 3DS eShop. In addition, users can link their Nintendo Network ID to their 3DS and vice versa to combine eShop funds on both systems into one. The Nintendo Switch is capable of linking to a 3DS or Wii U eShop account and combining balances between the three.

Other than purchasing games, users can view information on games and DLC, both currently released and upcoming, and watch trailers and Nintendo Direct presentations, as well as, in the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U versions, episodes of The Cat Mario Show. Users are also able to pre-load some games prior to release and are able to play them after an update on the release.

A soft shutdown of the Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U began on July 31, 2020, as a limited variant closed in certain Latin American and Caribbean markets, as well as for the Nintendo 3DS in certain Southeast Asia and the Middle East markets. As announced on February 15, 2022, it is no longer possible to make purchases on the Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U as of March 27, 2023. Prior July 19 of that year, its closure date would be an unspecified date in late March 2023.

Trivia

 * The title theme from Mario Kart: Double Dash!! can be found in the 3DS eShop's files.