Nintendo lifts 18+ eShop download restrictions

The restriction that prevented Wii U owners from downloading 18+ content from the Nintendo eShop during daytime hours has been lifted.

"Adults can now browse and buy all games at any time of the day,” a statement confirmed.

"Following analysis of the Parental Controls system on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in cooperation with USK, the German Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body, it was deemed that Nintendo’s Parental Control system is of very high quality and offers a remarkable level of protection for children. Nintendo’s Parental Control system was found to have proved itself in practice."

It was revealed shortly after the Wii U’s release last year that any content relating to 18+ rated games could only be downloaded in the UK between 11pm and 3am. German laws were to blame.

But the reaction from consumers – who have over many years been accustomed to freely downloading adult content while the sun is still shining across a range of devices – was understandably incredulous.