Video Game History Foundation Calls Out Nintendo’s “Destructive” 3DS & Wii U eShop Closure

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Nintendo 3DS
Image: Nintendo Life

Nintendo this week announced the closure of the 3DS and Wii U eShop, and well…it’s caused quite an uproar online.

So, what now that roughly 2,000 games will no longer be purchasable on the 3DS and Wii U digital storefronts? There’s seemingly not much that can be done from a consumer perspective. You either buy the digital games you want on these libraries now or run the risk of not having a “Nintendo approved” way of accessing them in the future.

It’s got to the point where the Video Game History Foundation – a nonprofit organisation dedicated to preserving, celebrating and teaching the history of games – has now published its own statement about the closure of Nintendo’s legacy digital shops.

Its statement acknowledges how it understands the “business reality” of the situation on Nintendo’s end, but notes how it leaves fans with few options moving forward if they want to access certain titles. And while not providing commercial access is considered to be “understandable”, preventing institutional work to preserve titles is “actively destructive to video game history”.

It also takes aim at Nintendo for actively funding lobbying that prevents places like libraries from being able to provide legal access to these games. Here’s the statement in full:

“While it is unfortunate that people won’t be able to purchase digital 3DS or Wii U games anymore, we understand the business reality that went into this decision. What we don’t understand is what path Nintendo expects its fans to take, should they wish to play these games in the future. As a paying member of the Entertainment Software Association, Nintendo actively funds lobbying that prevents even libraries from being able to provide legal access to these games. Not providing commercial access is understandable, but preventing institutional work to preserve these titles on top of that is actively destructive to video game history. We encourage ESA members like Nintendo to rethink their position on this issue and work with existing institutions to find a solution.”

As you can see above, towards the end Nintendo is encouraged to “rethink” its position on these issues and work with existing institutions to find a solution. This statement has already generated plenty of ‘Likes’ at the time of writing.

How are you feeling about the news Nintendo will be closing the 3DS and Wii U eShop? Leave a comment down below.