Digital Nintendo 3DS, Wii U games now up for grabs at Amazon

By Danny Cowan September 1, 2015

nintendo begins selling games digitally at amazon header — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Nintendo has launched an Amazon storefront offering download codes for a large number of its published games on the Wii U, 3DS, and legacy platforms via the Virtual Console service.

The move marks the first time that many games in Nintendo’s digital catalog have been available for purchase outside of the publisher’s own eShop service. Previously, players needed an eShop account and a linked credit card or pre-paid balance in order to download games for Nintendo’s platforms.

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Amazon’s Nintendo Digital Downloads storefront sells digital versions of several recent retail games for the Wii U, including Hyrule Warriors, Mario Kart 8, Splatoon, and Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. The service also offers digital code pre-orders for upcoming games like Super Mario Maker, along with DLC add-ons for Mario Kart 8 and other featured titles.

Nintendo 3DS owners, meanwhile, can pick up download codes for games like Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Pokemon Art Academy, Kirby Triple Deluxe, Tomodachi Life, and Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby.

Nintendo additionally offers digital codes for games originally released on older platforms. Amazon customers who purchase codes for these games can then play them on the Wii and Wii U via the Virtual Console service.

Featured games from Nintendo’s back catalog include a batch of Super NES classics (Super Metroid, Super Mario World), NES titles (The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario Bros 3), and Nintendo 64 games (Sin & Punishment, Mario Kart 64), along with a selection of releases for the Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS.

Prices at Amazon’s Nintendo Digital Downloads storefront align with most current eShop rates. Many Wii U retail games are priced between $50 and $60, while 3DS games typically range from $30 to $40. Featured DLC and Virtual Console games can cost as little as $5.

Codes purchased at Amazon can be redeemed on Nintendo’s consoles via the Nintendo eShop.

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