Back in Feburary, it was announced that the 3DS and Wii U eShop would be closing during late March 2023, with various services terminating earlier.

Due to the way it was released, Fire Emblem Fates is one of the games affected the most–and will be receiving slightly different treatment as a result.

While all other games will stop being sold from 27th March 2023, the European version of FE Fates will stop being sold one month earlier, on 28th February 2023 (source 1, source 2).

When you purchase Europe’s digital version of Fates, you only download data for up to Chapter 6 to begin with. At the end of Chapter 6, depending on your choice, you’ll then download data for your chosen story campaign (Birthright or Conquest), locking out the other campaigns (unless you buy them separately as DLC).

Presumably Fates is being removed early so people don’t download the game right before the eShop fully closes and don’t have time to reach the end of Chapter 6 to download the rest of the game. Please don’t buy the game right before 28th February, then wait a whole month…

While the game itself will be removed on 28th February, DLC (including the story campaigns) is still available until 27th March like normal. If you’re on the fence about the other campaigns, especially Revelation, which is digital/special-edition exclusive, don’t dilly-dally!

There’s also another reason to not delay. From 29th August 2022, just over a month away, the ability to add eShop funds using a pre-paid eShop card will be gone. Which is the only way to add funds right now. (Currently, you cannot add eShop funds using a credit/debit card.)

Update: Thanks to Dr. Tarrasque for informing me, there’s another way you can add funds. First, you need to link your Nintendo Account with the NNID used for your 3DS/Wii U. In the Shop menu, choose to “Merge Funds”. You can then add funds to your Nintendo Switch balance and it’ll be usable on your older systems.