Consumers Lose Affordable, Convenient, and Legal Access to Vast Library of Games
March 27th, 2023 marked the closure of Nintendo eShop for Wii U and 3DS consoles. This move by Nintendo has permanently disabled new purchases on the platforms, much to the dismay of gamers. With the closure of the eShop, consumers have lost an affordable, convenient, and legal option for buying a vast library of games. This includes modern and classic games from a dozen platforms – from more recent systems like the Wii U and 3DS to older consoles like the original Wii, DS and DSi, Game Boy Advance, Color, and original, Sega Game Gear, TurboGraphix-16, Nintendo 64, Super Nintendo and original Nintendo Entertainment System.
Legal and Convenient Access to Older Games Has Become Harder Than Ever
The closure of the eShop means legal and convenient access to older games has become harder than ever. Prices for used games have skyrocketed since March 2020, leaving retro gamers with limited options. Additionally, the retro market is flooded with bootleg cartridges that aren’t properly labeled as reproductions. While Nintendo Switch Online subscription is the future home for classic games on the Switch console, current offerings only offer a modest selection of nostalgic classics without the depth of the eShop’s back catalog.
Independent Game Preservationists Step Up
Nintendo’s closure of eShop has left many fans with fewer options than ever before despite their stance against piracy. Independent game preservationists have taken up the task of preserving eShop’s library as almost no game is out of reach if someone wants to play it so long as they’re comfortable exploring pirate hobby scenes. Publishers have shown that fleeting windows into nostalgia will be closed when they are no longer profitable, and we can’t rely on the commercial games industry to preserve its own history. Game preservation involves considering more than just the literal games, and historians need to preserve and tell their stories.
Gamers Urged to Physically Buy Games
Fans are urged to physically buy their games as digital is taking over, and the closure of the digital storefronts will leave many games inaccessible, particularly indie titles with a cult following. Jirard Khalil, a content creator ahead of the Nintendo eShop closures, bought all available 866 Wii U and 1,547 3DS games for preservation purposes.
Preserving Classic Games that Require Special Hardware to Play
The closure of the digital storefronts for Wii U and 3DS consoles resulting in a hot discussion on preserving classic games that require special hardware to play. Video games are difficult to preserve as compared to movies or books as older titles require emulation to keep them playable over time. Software emulation imitates a console’s software but has faults and legal issues while distribution of ROMs is stringent. Hardware-based solutions provide more accurate representations of older video games but come at a hefty price. Historians need to preserve and tell the stories of games beyond just the literal games themselves.
The Closure of Wii U eShop
The Wii U was initially highly valued by gamers who spent a long time waiting to get one but had some issues with sales and was seen as a disappointing console by Nintendo. However, it still has positive aspects worth remembering – including its character with its fun and inviting atmosphere. Another positive aspect was its eShop, which had a lot of charm and vibrant music. In contrast, Switch’s menus and themes are considered bland by some gamers. Wii U’s virtual console was valued by many as an affordable way to access classic Nintendo games until the closure of the eShop, raising concerns about the future availability of classic games libraries. The Wii U remains a cherished childhood memory and a valuable console for many.
In conclusion, the closure of Nintendo eShop has left gamers with limited options for accessing classic and modern games. Independent game preservationists have taken up the task of preserving eShop’s library, while fans are urged to physically buy their games. The closure of the digital storefronts for Wii U and 3DS consoles results in a hot discussion on preserving classic games that require special hardware to play, with historians needing to preserve and tell the stories of these games beyond just the literal games themselves. The Wii U may have had its issues, but it still has positive aspects worth remembering, including its character and eShop experience. Overall, Nintendo’s decision to close the eShop has left gamers with concerns about the future availability of classic games libraries.
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
