The closing of the eStore on Nintendo 3DS and WiiU is sad, but inevitable. However, Nintendo is actively making it very difficult to access their retro titles – despite their value in the gaming industry and culturally as well.
While it may be frustrating not to be able to purchase Nintendo’s famed titles digitally any more, even worse is the loss of games that only existed in digital format.
The Video Game History Foundation, which is working to promote the preservation of retro video games, spoke out about Nintendo in a recent tweet.
Our statement on the closure of Nintendo's legacy digital shops. pic.twitter.com/mG5GzuGH4G
— Video Game History Foundation (@GameHistoryOrg) February 17, 2022
The text reads:
While it is unfortunate that people won’t be able to purchase digital 3DS or Wii U games anymore, we understand the business reality that went into this decision. What we don’t understand is what path Nintendo expects its fans to take, should they wish to play these games in the future. 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. 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.
I think we can all appreciate their addressing of this, and I also sincerely hope that Nintendo will reconsider their treatment of retro titles.
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