Preface: There's a few recommendation threads popping up, but I kind of want to curate a more formal list/resource, for exclusive stuff specifically. It'll be a bit curated for quality, but I have a bias for Nintendo published content and local multiplayer games and then I want to link to recommendations/testimonials to justify smaller, less notable games on the list.
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The Wii U and 3DS eShop has been announced to be closing for purchases in late March 2023. There's a few important dates on that page, but the most important thing to know is that you can still use cash added to your Nintendo Account wallet via your Nintendo Switch until the final cut-off, if you've connected your Wii U/3DS era "Nintendo Network" account to it. Games can be re-downloaded, for now, indefinitely. Updates should still be available, but free software will need to be "redeemed" before then.
Keep in mind if you want to binge, without homebrew workarounds both Wii U and 3DS have a 300 installed app limit, regardless of storage space. You may be able to get around this if you're ok swapping SD cards/hard drives. DSiWare is also limited by the meagre internal storage of the 3DS. Here's a useful thread about Wii U external hard drives: https://www.resetera.com/threads/what's-my-most-cost-effective-solution-for-wii-u-external-storage-in-2019.159567/
Wii U
Wii U eShop Exclusives
Someone linked me this resource, will need to filter through it
Another post that goes into a more exhaustive list
www.resetera.com
delistedgames.com
Wii U eShop games with exclusive features
Wii U DLC
Wii U Virtual Console
I'm mostly keeping this list to games with notable features - I don't personally care for Switch Online games because it's behind a subscription service, but it may be useful to make clear what's unlikely to appear on there eventually. GBA and DS games lacking multiplayer also makes them kind of non-definitive.
en.wikipedia.org
en.wikipedia.org
This post has a few recommendations of digital Wii U games that are expensive to get physically.
www.resetera.com
This post has a few recommendations of digital Wii games that are expensive to get physically.
www.resetera.com
Homebrew
One last thing - Wii U's seem to be semi-prone to bricking long-term, due to memory errors. Homebrew is recommended to do backups, especially once this shutdown is complete. Apparently there are also new homebrew techniques to unbrick them these days: https://www.resetera.com/threads/wi...and-features-list-thread.553420/post-99971473
3DS
3DS eShop Exclusives
Someone linked me this resource, will need to filter through it
If you want some brief testimonials:
www.nintendolife.com
delistedgames.com
3DS eShop games with exclusive features
3DS DLC
Note that most DLC is purchased through in-game shops. In some cases, you have to complete conditions to access it.
DSiWare
3DS Virtual Console
This post nicely charts some price comparisons for digital 3DS games that are expensive to get physically.
www.resetera.com
Appendix
If you want to check out another list, I came across this spreadsheet by someone on Reddit
www.reddit.com
docs.google.com
---
The Wii U and 3DS eShop has been announced to be closing for purchases in late March 2023. There's a few important dates on that page, but the most important thing to know is that you can still use cash added to your Nintendo Account wallet via your Nintendo Switch until the final cut-off, if you've connected your Wii U/3DS era "Nintendo Network" account to it. Games can be re-downloaded, for now, indefinitely. Updates should still be available, but free software will need to be "redeemed" before then.
Keep in mind if you want to binge, without homebrew workarounds both Wii U and 3DS have a 300 installed app limit, regardless of storage space. You may be able to get around this if you're ok swapping SD cards/hard drives. DSiWare is also limited by the meagre internal storage of the 3DS. Here's a useful thread about Wii U external hard drives: https://www.resetera.com/threads/what's-my-most-cost-effective-solution-for-wii-u-external-storage-in-2019.159567/
Wii U
Wii U eShop Exclusives
Someone linked me this resource, will need to filter through it
Wii U & 3DS eShop Shutdown Exclusive Games, DLC, and Features List Thread [code redemptions no longer work]
Got a bunch more of wildly varying quality to add to the OP, if desired. Titles in bold are worth a look, I think. Titles with 3DS versions noted exist nowhere else besides Wii U/3DS as far as I know, and will thus both vanish in March 2023. Wii U eShop exclusive games amiibo Tap: Nintendo's...
www.resetera.com
- Affordable Space Adventures
- Art Academy: Home Studio (NA, Physical Art Academy: Atelier in EU)
- Chasing Aurora
- Dr. Luigi
- Drop It: Block Paradise (Free Update Incoming)
- Hot Rod Racer
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars (identical to 3DS)
- Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge (identical to 3DS)
- NES Remix 1/2 (NES Remix Pack isn't available physically in EU)
- Pokémon Rumble U
- Pushmo World
- Spin the Bottle: Bumpie's Party
- Star Fox Guard (Cheap physically in NA, more rare physically EU)
All Delisted Nintendo Wii U Games
This page gives you direct access to all delisted Nintendo Wii U titles on the site. This includes retail games that were offered as downloads, eShop releases, and Virtual Console titles. Below eac…
delistedgames.com
Wii U eShop games with exclusive features
- 6180 The Moon (Dual screen gameplay)
- 3Souls (Uses touch screen, mic, gyro, camera)
- Armillo (Gyro) (...Delisted)
- Art of Balance (5-player mode is exclusive to Wii U, and the touch screen is especially useful)
- Axiom Verge (Map on gamepad)
- Chompy Chomp Chomp Party (9-player mode is exclusive to Wii U)
- Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water (Digital only in NA, exclusive costumes not on Switch)
- Nano Assault Neo (2-player individual screen on Gamepad)
- Runbow (9-player and "Colormaster" mode is exclusive to Wii U)
- Scram Kitty and His Buddy on Rails (Dual screen gameplay)
- X-Type Plus (Multiple modes, video replays) (...Delisted)
- ZaciSa's Last Stand (5-player co-op multiplayer)
Wii U DLC
- Fast Racing Neo (Fast RMX includes all the tracks, but if you want another multiplayer racer on your Wii U)
- Neo Future Pack
- Mario Kart 8 (obviously superseded by Deluxe, but the original MK8 does have an "exclusive" battle mode that may make it overall worth purchasing to someone ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
- DLC Pack 1
- DLC Pack 2
- Pikmin 3 (some may say it's also superseded by Deluxe, but I made this thread that outlines how the Wii U version has some subtle downgrades to its Challenge Mode)
- Collect Treasure! 7-10
- Battle Enemies! Stages 7-10
- All-New Mission Stages 12-15
- Runbow (Turns out Runbow had a physical edition on Wii U that includes this, but I'll leave this here)
- Satura's Space Adventure
- Sonic Lost World
- Yoshi's Island Zone
- The Legend of Zelda Zone
- Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
- Mewtwo Fighter
- Lucas Fighter
- Roy Fighter
- Ryu Fighter
- Cloud Fighter
- Corrin Fighter
- Bayonetta Fighter
- Dream Land 64 Stage
- Peach's Castle 64 Stage
- Hyrule Castle 64 Stage
- Super Mario Maker Stage
- Pirate Ship Stage (This may be the only paid piece of DLC that you can't crossbuy for 3DS)
- Mii Costumes
- Xenoblade Chronicles X
- High-Speed Data Loading Packs?
Wii U Virtual Console
I'm mostly keeping this list to games with notable features - I don't personally care for Switch Online games because it's behind a subscription service, but it may be useful to make clear what's unlikely to appear on there eventually. GBA and DS games lacking multiplayer also makes them kind of non-definitive.
List of Virtual Console games for Wii U (North America) - Wikipedia
List of Wii games on Wii U eShop - Wikipedia
- Animal Crossing: Wild World (Nookington's can be obtained without multiplayer)
- Advance Wars 1/2/DS (The Gamepad is particularly useful for playing "Pass the Controller" multiplayer)
- Drill Dozer (Supports rumble, is an unreleased translation for EU)
- EarthBound
- EarthBound Beginnings
- Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon (Online-only shop items are attainable)
- Kuru Kuru Kururin (Import title for NA)
- Harvest Moon 64 (Import title for EU)
- Mario Party Advance (Notable for letting you play the "Bonus Board" mode conveniently 🙃)
- Mega Man 6 (Import title for EU, but may be common in modern collections?)
- Mega Man Battle Network Series (Multiplayer-only chips are built-in)
- Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros. 3 (Notable for bundling in the e-Reader exclusive content)
- Super Mario RPG (Still not on NSO, Square Enix makes it a less predictable release)
- Ufouria: The Saga (Import title)
- Vs. Excitebike (Import title)
- Wii Remote pointer support
- Adventures of Bayou Billy
- Duck Hunt
- Hogan's Alley
- Wild Gunman
- Game Boy Advance Virtual Console
- Nintendo DS Virtual Console (Pretty sure this has a bad dark filter)
- Wii "Virtual Console" (Not really exclusive, but cost-effective for some rare games)
- TG16 / PC Engine Virtual Console (some recommendations that aren't on mini consoles)
- Battle Lode Runner (5-Player multiplayer)
- Bomberman '94 (5-Player multiplayer)
- Bonk 3: Bonk's Big Adventure
- Break In
- Devil's Crush
- Digital Champ: Battle Boxing
- Final Soldier
- Image Fight II: Operation Deepstriker
- Legend of Hero Tonma (delisted, quick search suggests it's on GameLoft's Blacknut cloud streaming app?)
- Mr. Heli / Battle Chopper
- Japanese VC has some of its own exclusives (Wii Us are not region-free)
This post has a few recommendations of digital Wii U games that are expensive to get physically.
Wii U & 3DS eShop Shutdown Exclusive Games, DLC, and Features List Thread [code redemptions no longer work]
Off the top of my head, Game & Wario goes for like $120 CIB, $90 for the disc. Devil's Third is like $250 disc, $350 CIB when it's $30 on the eShop. Twilight Princess is $75 disc, $90 complete. That's really it for the Wii U exclusives that're cheaper digitally over physical. The only others...
www.resetera.com
This post has a few recommendations of digital Wii games that are expensive to get physically.
Wii U & 3DS eShop Shutdown Exclusive Games, DLC, and Features List Thread [code redemptions no longer work]
I'll also highlight a couple of the Wii download games that are getting up there in price too that are still available in the Wii U eShop (NA Prices): Rhythm Heaven Fever - $20 on eShop - Loose Disc $100, CIB $150-$170+ (this one is so crazy these days) Metroid Prime Trilogy - $20 on eShop -...
www.resetera.com
Homebrew
One last thing - Wii U's seem to be semi-prone to bricking long-term, due to memory errors. Homebrew is recommended to do backups, especially once this shutdown is complete. Apparently there are also new homebrew techniques to unbrick them these days: https://www.resetera.com/threads/wi...and-features-list-thread.553420/post-99971473
3DS
3DS eShop Exclusives
Someone linked me this resource, will need to filter through it
39 Best 3DS eShop Games You Should Get Before They're Gone Forever
3DS eShop-only titles worth picking up pronto
www.nintendolife.com
- Ace Attorney: Apollo Justice HD (Mobile port is well-regarded)
- Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies (Mobile port is well-regarded)
- Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice (Mobile port is well-regarded)
- Aeroporter
- A-Train 3D: City Simulator
- Attack of the Friday Monsters!
- Bike Rider DX
- Bike Rider DX2
- BoxBoy! Series
- Bugs vs Tanks
- Chase: Cold Case Investigations - Distant Memories
- Chibi-Robo: Photo Finder
- Conveni Dream
- Crimson Shroud
- Dementium Remastered
- Dillon's Rolling Western Series
- Dead-Heat Breakers released physically in EU
- Dr. Mario: Miracle Cure
- Fluidity: Spin Cycle
- Go! Go! Kokopolo 3D (Trailer)
- Gotta Protectors
- HarmoKnight
- Ironfall: Invasion
- Johnny's Payday Panic
- Kersploosh!
- Ketzel's Corridors
- Kirby Fighters Deluxe (sort of superseded by Kirby Fighters 2)
- Dedede's Drum Dash Deluxe
- Team Kirby Clash Deluxe (sort of superseded by Super Kirby Clash, which has a gentler purchasing curve)
- Kirby's Blowout Blast
- Kokuga (Mostly delisted?)
- Liberation Maiden
- Mario and Donkey Kong: Minis on the Move
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Tipping Stars (identical to Wii U)
- Mario Party Star Rush Guest Edition (Free Multiplayer Client, requires host with full game)
- Metroid Prime Blast Ball (Free Multiplayer Client, can connect to Metroid Prime Federation Force)
- Mini Mario & Friends: amiibo Challenge (identical to Wii U)
- Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate Save Transfer App (to transfer from 3DS to Switch)
- Moon Chronicles
- Nano Assault EX
- Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre
- Nintendo Pocket Football Club (EU Only)
- Picross (various - will specify later?)
- My Nintendo Picross: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess
- Picross 3D: Round 2 (NA)
- Pocket Card Jockey
- Pokémon Bank (subscription is announced to become free)
- Pokémon Transporter (in-game?)
- Pokémon Battle Trozei
- Pokémon Dream Radar
- Pokémon Pokédex Pro
- Pokémon Shuffle
- Pushmo Series
- Rabi Laby 3 (Delisted?)
- Rhythm Heaven Megamix (NA)
- Rusty's Real Deal Baseball
- Sakura Samurai
- Save Data Transfer Tool
- Siesta Fiesta
- Shin Megami Tensei IV (EU)
- Steel Diver: Sub Wars
- Style Savvy: Styling Star (NA)
- Tank Troopers
- The Denpa Men Series
- The Starship Damrey
- Tokyo Crash Mobs
- Weapon Shop de Omasse
All Delisted Nintendo 3DS Games
This page gives you direct access to all delisted Nintendo 3DS titles on the site. This includes retail games that were offered as downloads, eShop releases, and Virtual Console titles. Below each …
delistedgames.com
3DS eShop games with exclusive features
- Nintendo's 3D Classic Series
- Sega's 3D Classic Series (The following games are included as part of the physical English collection, so you may not need them)
- Altered Beast
- Fantasy Zone II W
- Galaxy Force II
- Sonic the Hedgehog 1
- Thunder Blade
- Cave Story (3D Recommended)
- Persona Q (A game breaking bug exists in physical copies outside of a very limited print run?)
- PuzzleBox Setup (Plays with the 3DS held upside down)
- Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D (You can't delete save data in this game without homebrew, so digitally downloading it could be the last chance to get a "pristine" copy)
3DS DLC
Note that most DLC is purchased through in-game shops. In some cases, you have to complete conditions to access it.
- 7th Dragon III Code: VFD
- A-Train 3D
- Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies
- Turnabout Reclaimed
- Ace Attorney: Spirit of Justice
- Turnabout Time Traveler
- Art Academy
- Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 (both standalone and in Striker Pack) (Challenge Missions and stuff)
- Blast 'em Bunnies
- Blaster Master Zero (Characters)
- Bravely Second: End Layer (?)
- Dragon Ball Fusions
- Dragon Quest VII
- Dragon Quest VIII
- Etrian Odyssey Series
- Etrian Mystery Dungeon
- Fantasy Life (Multiplayer requires synced DLC)
- Final Fantasy Theatrhythm (Has unique DLC compared to Curtain Call?)
- Final Fantasy Theatrhythm Curtain Call
- Fire Emblem Awakening
- Fire Emblem Echoes
- Fire Emblem Fates
- Birthright/Conquest (depending on your game)
- Revelation
- Assorted Map Packs (More info)
- Gotta Protectors
- FM Sound Pack (actually much more than sound??)
- Hyrule Warriors Legends (All this content should be available in the Switch port)
- Master Wind Waker Pack
- Link's Awakening Pack
- Phantom Hourglass Pack
- A Link Between Worlds Pack
- Mandatory Update (Can someone check if this is required to download via the eShop?)
- Ironfall: Invasion (Single player and multiplayer are separated into seperate packs)
- Little Battlers X
- Mario Golf: World Tour
- Season Pass
- Mighty Gunvolt (Levels)
Mighty Gunvolt Burst (Characters) - Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate
- Monster Hunter Generations
- Monster Hunter Stories (free, but have to start a file)
- Moon Chronicles (Episodic)
- New Super Mario Bros. 2
- Coin Challenge Pack A
- Coin Challenge Pack B
- Coin Challenge Pack C
- Gold Classics Pack
- Gold Mushroom Pack
- Gold Rush Pack
- Impossible Pack
- Mystery Adventures Pack
- Nerve-Rack Pack
- Platform Panic Pack
- Persona Q
- Persona Q2
- Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity
- Pokémon Picross
- Pokémon Rumble World (eShop version is F2P with microtransactions)
- Pokémon Shuffle
- Pokémon Sun/Moon Special Demo (The exclusive "Ash Greninja" can be transferred to the full game - and not Ultra Sun/Moon)
- Professor Layton and the Miracle Mask (Daily Puzzles)
- Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy (Daily Puzzles)
- Professor Layton vs Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (Epilogue, can't download until after game is complete)
- Project X Zone 2 (delisted?)
- Senran Kagura 2: Deep Crimson
- StreetPass Mii Plaza
- StreetPass Squad / Mii Force
- StreetPass Garden / Flower Town
- StreetPass Battle / Warrior's Way
- StreetPass Mansion / Monster Manor
- StreetPass Fishing / Ultimate Angler
- StreetPass Zombies / Battleground Z
- StreetPass Slot Racer / Slot Car Rivals
- StreetPass Trader / Market Crashers
- StreetPass Chef / Feed Mii
- StreetPass Explorers / Mii Trek
- StreetPass Ninja / Ninja Launcher
- Stretchmo (F2P, so you need to buy the majority of the game in-game)
- Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS
- Mewtwo Fighter
- Lucas Fighter
- Roy Fighter
- Ryu Fighter
- Cloud Fighter
- Corrin Fighter
- Bayonetta Fighter
- Dream Land 64 Stage
- Peach's Castle 64 Stage
- Hyrule Castle 64 Stage
- Super Mario Maker Stage
- Mii Costumes
- Team Kirby Clash Deluxe
- Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology
- RPG Maker FES
- Rusty's Real Deal Baseball
- DLC is built into the main progression of the game, you can't buy it outright
- Shin Megami Tensei IV
- Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
- Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2 Record Breaker
- Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux
- Steel Diver: Sub Wars
- Free to play, but campaign is paid
- Has an in-game shop for subs
- Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns
- Style Savvy: Trendsetters
- Style Savvy: Fashion Forward
DSiWare
- Art Style Series
- Art Style: Pictobits
- Art Style: Zengage
- Aura-Aura Climber
- Birds & Beans
- Dark Void Zero
- Dr. Mario Express
- Dragon Quest Wars
- Divergent Shift
- Game & Watch Series
- Go! Go! Kokopolo (Delisted?)
- Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
- Mighty Flip Champs!
- Mighty Milky Way
- Oregon Trail
- Paper Airplane Chase
- Pop Island
- Pop Island: Paperfield
- Pro Jumper! Guilty Gear Tangent?!
- Rabi Laby 1 & 2
- Snapdots
- WarioWare: Snapped!
- X-Scape
3DS Virtual Console
- Earthbound
- Mega Man 6 (Import title for EU, but may be common in modern collections?)
- Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow (Compatible with Pokémon Bank)
- Pokémon Gold/Silver/Crystal (Compatible with Pokémon Bank, Crystal has the Celebi event built-in)
- Summer Carnival '92 Recca
- The Mysterious Murasame Castle
- NES and Game Gear games feature local wireless 2-player multiplayer
- Game Boy Virtual Console
- Game Boy Color Virtual Console
This post nicely charts some price comparisons for digital 3DS games that are expensive to get physically.
Wii U & 3DS eShop Shutdown Exclusive Games, DLC, and Features List Thread [code redemptions no longer work]
I decided to aggregate a list of the most expensive games for the 3DS that are still available on the eShop. Price estimates are from Price Charting. I can't do the same for Wii U since Nintendo does not list game prices on the website and I don't own a Wii U anymore. Game Cartridge Price...
www.resetera.com
Appendix
If you want to check out another list, I came across this spreadsheet by someone on Reddit
Reddit - Dive into anything
www.reddit.com
3DS and Wii U games, the digital-only and the expensive ones
Introduction Introduction Final update (28/3/23) And so, it is done, the 3DS and Wii U eShops has officially stopped allowing people to buy its games and apps. One can still download the updates and what they've already bought before, but as a shop, it's dead. Long live the eShop. I want to than...
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