Nintendo lifts age restriction on European Wii U and 3DS eShops

Nintendo of Europe removed restrictions on the sale of content rated 18+ through the Wii U and 3DS eShops today, the company announced through a message on its online storefronts, according to Eurogamer.

Last December, Nintendo explained the restrictions were in place to conform with German laws on the sale of violent and mature content. Nintendo's European headquarters are based in Germany, making it necessary for them to restrict availability of 18+ content to between 11 p.m. and 3 a.m. local time.

"Nintendo has lifted the access restrictions content rated 18+. Adults can now browse and buy all games at any time of the day," reads the message, available on the European Wii U and 3DS eShops.

"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," the company wrote. "Nintendo's Parental Control system was found to have proved itself in practice."

Nintendo continued to encourage parents to familiarize themselves with both systems' Parental Controls and restrict access to content they feel is inappropriate for minors.

A representative for Nintendo confirmed to Eurogamer that the restrictions had been lifted, stating the company "always [aims] to provide a safe gaming experience for fans of all ages and ensure that we comply with applicable legal age restriction requirements across Europe." GoNintendo has also posted a screenshot of the message.

Polygon has also reached out to Nintendo for comment and will update this story with more information as we receive it.