Video game history organization calls for closure of Nintendo’s “destructive” 3DS & Wii U eShop

Nintendo this week announced shutting down 3DS and Wii U eShopand well… it caused quite a stir online.

So what now about 2,000 games will no longer be purchasable on 3DS and Wii U digital facades? There doesn’t seem to be much that can be done from a consumer perspective. You can buy the digital games you want on these libraries now, or risk not having a “Nintendo-approved” way to access them in the future.

It’s gotten to the point where the Video Game History Foundation – a nonprofit dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and teaching game history – has now published its own statement about the closure of digital stores. old Nintendo digital.

Its statement acknowledges how it understands the “business reality” of the situation from Nintendo’s side, but notes that it leaves fans with few options in the future if they want to access certain titles. . And while not providing commercial access is considered “understandable”, preventing institutional action to preserve titles is “actively undermining video game history”.

It also targets Nintendo for actively funding lobbying to prevent places like libraries from being able to provide legal access to these games. Here is the full statement:

“While it’s unfortunate that people will no longer be able to buy 3DS or Wii U games digitally, we understand the business reality that has come to this decision. What we don’t understand is what Nintendo wants people to do. Which path their fans take, they want to play these games in the future.As a paid member of the Entertainment Software Association, Nintendo actively sponsors lobbying to prevent even libraries from being able to provide legitimate access to these games.Not providing commercial access is understandable, but prevents the organization from working to maintain the titles. This is, above all, actively destroying video game history.We encourage ESA members like Nintendo to rethink their stance on this issue and work with existing organizations to find them. come up with a solution.”

As you can see above, Nintendo is ultimately encouraged to “rethink” its stance on these issues and work with existing organizations to find solutions. This statement has generated a lot of ‘Likes’ at the time of writing.

How do you feel about the news that Nintendo will be shutting down the 3DS and Wii U eShop? Leave a comment below.