If you still want to buy games like Pokémon X and Y digitally on your Nintendo 3DS, you should do so soon, because in a few weeks it will no longer be possible.
Why can’t you buy the games anymore? On March 27, 2023, Nintendo will shut down the eShop on the 3DS and Wii U.
The eShop is the go-to place to purchase games digitally on Nintendo consoles, similar to the PS Store on PlayStation consoles.
With the shutdown of the eShop on 3DS and Wii U, it will no longer be possible to make purchases on the affected platforms. This also means that games that are only playable on the 3DS, for example, will no longer be available digitally from now on.
74% of all Pokémon games are no longer available digitally
Which Pokémon games will then no longer be available for purchase? The shutdown of the eShop on 3DS and Wii U hits some Pokémon series games. These include some titles from the main series as well as some spin-offs:
Also removed are the Gen 1 and Gen 2 classics Red, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver and Crystal, as well as the Nintendo DS games Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky and Pokémon Ranger.
The 3DS trailer for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is the most-watched trailer for a Pokémon game on YouTube, with 76 million views:
Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire animated trailer
More videos
The games Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Fire Red, Leaf Green, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, Black, White, Black 2, White 2, all of which appeared as part of the main series, are no longer available for digital purchase.
As Twitter user Phil Salvador points out, after the eShop was shut down on 3DS and Wii U, a total of 74% of all Pokémon games are no longer available.
Pokémon GO and Switch games will remain
Which games can Pokemon fans still buy? Pokémon fans who want to buy their games digitally will therefore only have a very limited selection of titles available from March 27th.
Almost 25% of all Pokémon games will still be available digitally. These include the latest titles on the Nintendo Switch:
The mobile hit Pokémon GO is also still available and regularly brings events and updates. In March there are again 4 dates that players should not miss.
Pokémon GO: 4 mandatory dates in March 2023 that you shouldn’t miss