Nintendo eShop

Nintendo eShop is a digital storefront that is a built-in application for the Nintendo 3DS, Wii U and Nintendo Switch. Consumers can use the service to purchase games digitally on their systems using Nintendo eShop Gift Cards and credit cards. The Nintendo eShop was first launched on the Nintendo 3DS on June 6, 2011 in North America, and one day later in Japan, Europe, and Oceania. For the Wii U and Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo eShop launched alongside the respective console's release, in October 2012 and March 2017 respectively.

On the Nintendo eShop, users are also able to purchase downloadable content for their games. As of the December 9, 2013 update, a Nintendo Network ID is required to download free and demo software from the Nintendo 3DS eShop. In addition, the player can link their Nintendo Network ID to their Nintendo 3DS and vice versa to combine eShop funds on both systems into one. The Nintendo Switch can link up to either a Nintendo 3DS or Wii U eShop account and combine balances between the three.

Other than purchasing games, users can view information on current and upcoming titles and watch the latest trailers, Nintendo Direct presentations, and episodes of The Cat Mario Show. Players can download demos for some games, and can play them after a small update on the release.

The Nintendo 3DS eShop has over 4,800 games, including over 400 Virtual Console and 200 DSiWare titles. The Wii U eShop has over 4,000 games, including over 500 Virtual Console and 200 WiiWare titles. Altogether, there are over 12,000 games across the Nintendo eShop on the three systems.

Discontinuation
As of September 14, 2019, the European Nintendo eShop for both the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U no longer support the use of credit cards. The Japanese Nintendo eShop ended this on January 18, 2022, and the North American eShop ended it on May 23, 2022.

On July 31, 2020, a limited variant of the Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U closed in certain Latin America and the Caribbean markets, as well as for the Nintendo 3DS in certain Southeast Asia and the Middle East markets.

On February 15, 2022, Nintendo announced that it will no longer be possible to make purchases on the Nintendo eShop for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U as of late March 2023. The exact date for eShop closure (March 27, 2023) was announced on July 19, 2022.

As of August 29, 2022, users can no longer add funds on both the Nintendo 3DS's or Wii U's Nintendo eShop through the use of Nintendo eShop Gift Cards.

As of March 2024, users will no longer be possible to merge unused funds from the 3DS and Wii U eShops into the Switch eShop.

Trivia

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