Nintendo, earlier this week, announced that 3DS and Wii u eshop stores would close slowly. Online stores should be closed by 23 May 2022 and the funds will be gradually removed by March 2023. It has been confirmed that in total, there will be a thousand digital titles and will disappear permanently.
And there are many people who are dissatisfied with the lack of accessibility to past games. And, interesting, some video game archivists are also. The video Game History Foundation, which supports a non-profit organization that preserves games and equipment, is very upset by this decision. In particular, they are unhappy with Nintendo because they are actively lobbying that even prevents libraries from providing legal access to these games. The Foundation continued on Twitter, with its statement:
“It is unfortunate that people can no longer buy 3DS or Wii U numerical games, we understand the commercial reality that motivated this decision. What we do not understand is the path that Nintendo expects from his fans, if they want to play these games in the future. As a paying member of the Entertainment Software Association, Nintendo actively finances lobbying that even prevents libraries from providing legal access to these games. Do not provide commercial access is understandable, but prevent institutional work to preserve these titles in addition to this is actively destructive for the history of video game. We encourage ESA members like Nintendo to rethink their position on this issue and working with existing institutions to find a solution.
The video Game History Foundation does everything possible to ensure the history of video games and pleads for historical preservation. Their position is to keep the story of the video game that we have, because a large part has already been lost.
Perhaps they will be able to emphasize that Nintendo may be able to take advantage of his games in the distant future, as some have done with new games. But we will have to see what Nintendo plans to do, especially against this backlash.