Gaming

Nintendo will shut down digital stores for Wii U and 3DS

End of an era

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Because of the Switch, it’s easy to forget that Nintendo used to peddle other consoles in the past. They’re still there, though. Despite the Switch’s popularity, Nintendo continues to sell digital games for past consoles like the Wii U and the 3DS. Well, only until a certain point. In 2023, Nintendo will shut down eShop purchases for both consoles families.

It’s the end of an era. Because Nintendo is more focused on the Switch, there isn’t a lot of reason to keep the past console’s digital stores up and running. In fact, shutting down old digital stores is part of a console’s life cycle. Now, it’s the Wii U’s and the 3DS’s time.

It’s a gradual end, too. Starting on May 23, users for either console can no longer add funds in the Nintendo eShop using a credit card. Then, on August 29, the store will stop accepting Nintendo eShop Cards to add funds for the consoles. Alternatively, users can still redeem download codes for games until next year. Likewise, users who link their Switch and older accounts together will be able to use shared funds until March 2023.

That said, starting late March 2023, buying digital games from the store will be impossible. Although, users can still redownload games they already purchased beforehand.

The 3DS and Wii U families include New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, New Nintendo 2DS XL, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS, Wii U Deluxe, and Wii U Basic.

SEE ALSO: Everything announced at Feb. 9’s Nintendo Direct

Gaming

Grand Theft Auto VI delayed to November 2026

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Back in September, Hollow Knight: Silksong finally launched, ending an almost seven-year wait. Now, the next holy grail of gaming that’s set to launch is Grand Theft Auto VI. However, the wait is now a tiny bit longer. Rockstar Games has delayed the launch of its upcoming game to November 2026.

It’s been over 12 years since the launch of Grand Theft Auto V. In that time, the title has gone through three generations of the Xbox and the PlayStation. It even has an enhanced edition already. That said, the highly anticipated sixth outing is a long time coming.

In the tail end of 2023, Rockstar Games released the first trailer for the anticipated sequel, teasing a launch in 2025. Further reports pinpointed a fall 2025 window. Since then, the studio delayed the game to May 2026 for extra polishing.

Today, Rockstar Games has announced another delay. This time, Grand Theft Auto VI will launch on November 19, 2026. The studio is once again citing the need to polish the final product a bit more.

Besides the game itself, there is a lot riding on its launch. For one, other game developers are notorious for patterning their games’ release windows away from Grand Theft Auto VI (or other major games). They naturally don’t want their games to be the one known for being overshadowed by Rockstar’s surefire hit.

Secondly, publishers are patiently waiting for how much the game will go for. There’s speculation that the title might push the boundaries of videogame pricing. If the game is a hit while going for 90 to 100 bucks, then other publishers might follow suit.

SEE ALSO: Grand Theft Auto VI gets its first-ever trailer

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Gaming

The Nintendo Switch is nearing the end of its lifecycle

Nintendo will focus more on the Switch 2 going forward.

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It’s the beginning of the end for the Nintendo Switch. After almost nine years of the original console, Nintendo is just about ready to move on to the next generation.

According to a recent earnings report, Nintendo has announced that the company will start focusing on the Switch 2. “Going forward, we will shift our primary development focus to Nintendo Switch 2 and expand our business around this new platform,” the report said.

Since it was launched earlier this year, the Switch 2 exceeded the company’s expectations. The new console has already surpassed 10 million units sold worldwide, making it Nintendo’s fastest-selling console so far. In fact, the company is already worried about shortages in some parts of the world.

As pointed out by the report, 84 percent of current Switch 2 users transitioned from the original console generation. Owners of the first console are transitioning at a uniform rate.

Currently, there is no explicit plan to fully move away from the first generation yet. The issued statement, however, heralds the end. This will likely start off on a subtler note: fewer games coming out and fewer consoles available in the market.

So, there is no pressing need to switch over to the newer console immediately. However, this should be a warning for users that the end is nearing.

For what it’s worth, the Switch 2 offers backwards compatibility. If you have a shapely catalog of games from the first generation, you can still use them on the newer one. Also, there is a growing number of exclusive games that make use of the more powerful hardware, so it’s a worthy upgrade.

SEE ALSO: Assassin’s Creed Shadows is coming to the Switch 2

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Gaming

Razer, JOOLA partner for limited-edition pickleball paddle

1st-ever crossover between gaming, pickleball

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Razer has ventured into the world of pickleball, partnering with JOOLA for a limited-edition JOOLA Razer Perseus Pro IV 16mm paddle.

The paddle will officially be available on December 9. It is co-branded with Razer’s triple-headed snake trademark, as well as signature green accents.

The paddle already made its competitive debut at the 2025 Pickleball World Championships in Dallas. There, it was wielded by Ben Johns, who is widely regarded as the world’s top pickleball pro.

He also happens to spend his free time gaming, making the partnership very apt for him on a personal scale.

This groundbreaking crossover bridges the energy of esports with the fast-growing sport of pickleball. It unites two elite forces in competitive performance: JOOLA for pickleball pros and Razer for the gaming community.

And as part of the launch celebration, fans will have the chance to win a paddle signed by both JOOLA CEO Richard Lee and Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan.

The raffle will be done through a social media giveaway hosted by both JOOLA and Razer.

Game on with the JOOLA Razer Perseus Pro IV 16mm

The JOOLA Razer Perseus Pro IV 16mm is crafted for high-stakes rallies and fast-paced exchanges. Its raw carbon surface enhances spin control and dwell time. This allows players to shape their shots with precision and finesse.

A balanced swing weight also supports quick transitions and reactive play, making it ideal for competitive athletes.

Bringing smart tech to the court, each paddle is also embedded with an NFC chip that connects to the JOOLA Infinity App, unlocking exclusive content, pro tips, and extended warranty.

Only a total of 1,337 units of the limited-edition paddle will be made. The number 1,337 is a nod to gaming culture, where “1337” or “LEET” means short for elite and is used to signify top-tier skill and mastery.

The pickleball paddle will retail officially for US$ 299.95 and will be available exclusively via JOOLA.com.

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