The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →A Nintendo 3DS can still play compatible physical game cards, run offline game modes, and use local features such as StreetPass. What changed happened in two stages: the eShop stopped selling games and most downloads in March 2023, then Nintendo ended online play and other internet-dependent functions in April 2024. You can still redownload eligible purchases and updates for the foreseeable future, but Nintendo has not set a final date for that service.
What stopped, and when?
| Change | What it means | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 3DS eShop purchases and most downloads ended | No new game or DLC purchases, demos, most free downloads, free-to-start software, or download-code redemption. | Purchases and downloads ended March 27, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Download-code redemption ended April 3, 2023. |
| Online play and other internet-dependent functions ended | Online multiplayer, rankings, data distribution, and other functions that rely on internet communication are no longer generally available. | April 8, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. PDT, according to Nintendo’s North American notice. |
The store closure and online shutdown were separate events. Nintendo’s eShop discontinuation notice covers purchases and downloads; its online-services notice covers internet-dependent features. Nintendo also says unmerged eShop balances could no longer be used or merged after March 11, 2024, unless the Nintendo Network ID (NNID) and Nintendo Account wallets had been linked and merged by then.
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Nintendo 3DS XL Handheld System - Black/Blue (Renewed) [Nintendo DS] | $275.00 | Buy on Amazon |
What you can still do on a 3DS
Play compatible physical game cards
A compatible game card can still be used to play its available offline modes; the 3DS operations manual describes using game cards, and Nintendo says modes that do not require online communication remain usable. A card does not restore a game’s discontinued online services, and which features remain depends on the title.
Play offline modes in games you already have
Nintendo says players can still use features and modes that do not require online communication. A game may therefore continue to launch and support its offline story or other offline play even if online multiplayer, rankings, trading, or content distribution no longer works. For third-party games, Nintendo advises checking with the publisher because service status and exceptions can vary.
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- Features: 3D Depth Slider, Wi-Fi Capability, Nintendo 3DS Sound, Mii Maker, 3D Camera, Front & Rear Camera, Touch Screen
- Includes: AC Power Adapter, Stylus
- Wired Connectivity: Wireless
- Model Compatibility: Nintendo 3DS
Use StreetPass
StreetPass communicates locally between nearby 3DS-family systems, so it remains available. Nintendo specifically says StreetPass in the preinstalled StreetPass Mii Plaza can still be used. Some Mii Plaza content that depended on online communication is gone; for example, new Puzzle Swap panels are no longer distributed.
Redownload eligible purchases and updates
Nintendo says existing games and DLC can still be redownloaded, and existing software updates can still be downloaded, “for the foreseeable future.” It has not published a final end date, so this is not a permanent guarantee. Demos are not an exception: even a demo downloaded before the closure cannot be redownloaded afterward.
Download a limited number of free themes
Nintendo says a small number of free themes remain available from Theme Shop. This limited exception does not mean the eShop has reopened for free downloads.
Use Pokémon Bank until its announced end date
Nintendo says Pokémon Bank service will end February 25, 2027, at 7:00 p.m. PST. Transfers from Bank to Pokémon HOME will end then as well. Nintendo says Pokémon Bank is not currently available for download, so this date is relevant to people who already have access to the app.
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- Nintendo 3DS offers a new way to play, 3D without the need for special glasses. The 3D Depth Slider lets your determine how much 3D you want to see.
- Play 3D games and take 3D pictures with Nintendo 3DS. One inner camera and two outer cameras. Resolutions are 640 x 480 for each camera. Lens are single focus and uses the CMOS capture element.
- Connect to a deeper wireless experience with SpotPass and StreetPass, giving you more exclusive content and connecting you with other Nintendo 3DS users.
- Complete with an adjustable stylus, 6 AR cards, and fun built-in software such as Face Raiders, Nintendo 3DS Sound, and the Mii Maker application.
- Use Parental Controls to restrict 3D mode for children 6 and under.
What no longer works as before
Buying or acquiring most new digital content
You cannot buy new 3DS games or DLC from the eShop, download demos or most other free content, obtain free-to-start software, or redeem a download code there. Adding eShop funds is no longer an option. Redownloading something already owned is different from acquiring new content.
Internet-dependent game features
Online play and other functions that use internet communication ended in April 2024. Examples include online co-op, rankings, and data distribution. This does not mean every game feature stopped: offline modes and local communication are distinct, and the exact effect depends on the game.
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SpotPass
StreetPass and SpotPass are not interchangeable. StreetPass uses local communication and remains available; SpotPass relies on online communication, so its functions are no longer available.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to redownload an eligible purchase
- Connect the 3DS to the internet and open Nintendo eShop.
- Open the redownloadable-software area and select the title or DLC you already own. Nintendo’s redownload instructions describe the process.
- Check that the system’s SD card has enough free space. Nintendo lists available SD-card space among the requirements for using eShop downloads.
- If you formatted the system, sign in with the NNID associated with the purchase. Nintendo says an NNID is required to redownload content bought while that ID was associated with the system.
Nintendo says previously purchased eligible items can be redownloaded at no cost, subject to its continuing availability. Do not buy an eShop card or code expecting to restore access: funds cannot be added to the 3DS eShop, and codes cannot be redeemed there.
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- 3D Entertainment Without Glasses- Nintendo 3DS games have incredible graphics, and you can turn down the 3D effect to any level, or turn it off completely at any time with the build-in 3D depth slider to play games in crisp, clear 2D
- Two Screens- A widescreen display on the top screen shows 800x240 pixel resolution, allocating 400*pixles for each eye to create the 3D effect. The bottom LCD touch screen operates at a resolution of 320*240
- 3D Photos, Plus More- Nintendo 3DS comes built-in with the ability to take photos in 3D. Capture eye popping images of your friends and family, have fun with filters like the Merge lens, or even use the system's AR technology and included AR Cards
Choosing between physical and digital copies
| Option | What it offers now | Main constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Physical game card | Play compatible titles without obtaining the game from the closed eShop. | Internet-dependent features remain affected by the 2024 shutdown; features vary by game. |
| Owned digital copy | Redownload eligible content already tied to your account, for the foreseeable future. | Requires the relevant entitlement and Nintendo’s redownload service; no final cutoff date is published. |
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
