Video Game History Foundation criticises Nintendo over eShop closures
Marie Dealessandri
Features Editor
Monday 21st February 2022
Nintendo
The Video Game History Foundation has voiced its concern over the closure of Nintendo's Wii U and 3DS digital stores.
In a message shared on Twitter, the non-profit organisation said it understands the "business reality that went into this decision" but criticised Nintendo for not allowing preservation of its back catalogue.
"As a paying member of the Entertainment Software Association, Nintendo actively funds lobbying that prevents even libraries from being able to provide legal access to these games," the message read.
"Not providing commercial access is understandable, but preventing institutional work to preserve these titles on top of that is actively destructive to video game history. We encourage ESA members like Nintendo to rethink their position on this issue and work with existing institutions to find a solution."
Nintendo announced last week that the Wii U and 3DS eShops would be closing after March 2023. Players won't be able to buy new games after that date, but titles that users already own can be redownloaded.
In our latest This Week In Business column, we looked into how Nintendo's decision to pull the plug on its old game stores runs counter to the company's interest in its own history.
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