6 great games to grab before the 3DS and Wii U eShop close for good next year

Nintendo’s closing down the 3DS and Wii U eShops in March 2023. After that, you won’t be able to buy any games from those storefronts. It’s quite a shame, as the Wii U and 3DS eShops have tons of great games from bygone eras that are hard to obtain. Here are six games you should grab before those eShops close for good.

6 great games to grab before the 3DS and Wii U eShop close for good next year

While you can’t purchase and download games when the shops close in March 2023, you can still of course play the games you downloaded already. Just be sure to keep them backed up somehow.

6) Kirby: Canvas Curse (Wii U)

This is one of my favorite DS titles. An early DS game, Canvas Curse truly utilizes the touch screen as the key for its mechanics. It’s a physics based puzzle game where you draw paths for Kirby to roll around on.

Some DS games have trouble translating to the Wii U, as on a handheld both screens are in your view. On the TV, it’s hard to focus on two screens at once. Canvas Curse only uses the top screen for map and resource data, and much of the action happens on the touch screen.

5) Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon (3DS, Wii U)

Shadow Dragon is a remake of the very first Fire Emblem. Originally released on the Nintendo DS in 2008, the game didn’t sell well in the west. It’s hard to find physical copies. If you’re a tactical RPG or Fire Emblem fan, you owe it to yourself to play the grand-daddy of the genre.

4) Mega Man Battle Network (Wii U)

The Battle Network series is a Mega Man spin off originally released on the GameBoy Advance. They’re an action RPG take on the Megaman lore, complete with colorful characters and gripping real-time tactical combat.

All six games in the series are available on the Wii U eShop. The earlier entries can be a little clunky and difficult, but they only get better as the series went on. Battle Network 5: Team Protoman and Team Colonel are the best in the series, but they’re all worth playing.

3) Metroid Fusion (3DS, Wii U)

If you liked Metroid Dread, you’ll love Metroid Fusion. Originally nearly two decades ago, this sequel to Super Metroid has everything you want from a 2D Metroid title. Unlike Metroid and Super Metroid, the eShop release is the only legit way to play the game beyond original hardware.

2) Pokémon (3DS)

Pokémon games have a timeless quality. Even the originals have replay value, and the entirety of the first two generations of the franchise are available. Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver and Crystal look and feel exactly like they used to, wonky combat mechanics and all. The 3DS versions have extra functionality, like wireless play and the ability to use Pokémon Bank.

1) Metroid Prime: Trilogy (Wii U)

This three pack contains exactly what it says on the tin: all three Metroid Prime games. It’s a lot of game for just 20 bucks, and these three games defined a generation. All three are fantastic first person shooters with a healthy dose of the non-linear exploration you’ve come to expect.

My favorite aspect of this pack is playing the original two Metroid Prime games with the motion controls found in the third. Those older games also get a visual touch up, from textures to an updated aspect ratio. Load times are even improved, making all three games feel like one cohesive and epic experience.