Nintendo has now confirmed that the Wii U and 3DS eShops will cease operations after March 2023. The company will gradually be disabling features such as ability to use credit cards and gift cards from May this year. What's probably more disheartening is that Nintendo actually removed a Q&A section that indicated Virtual Console games will not be available in any other manner and users will have to contend with the paltry selection available via Nintendo Switch Online subscription.
https://www.notebookcheck.net/Nintendo-finally-decides-to-draw-the-curtains-on-Wii-U-and-3DS-eShops-after-March-2023-effectively-curtailing-prospects-of-fully-owning-classic-games.600241.0.html