On steam, I have a single ID. No matter which system I'm on, my games follow me. I get the game on my Windows Desktop and I can then download it and play it on my SteamPC (assuming it's compatible with both systems). Or on my Mac (likewise).
If I own a Wii U and a 3DS, are the consoles joined by a single Nintendo ID? If I buy Super Mario Bros 3 on the Wii U, can I play it on my 3DS?
I know you can pay to upgrade a Wii Console game to a Wii U for a "nominal" fee. But I don't see any mentions about Wii U and 3DS cross compatibility and account inter-twinings.
Best Answer
You can link a single ID to your 3DS and Wii U (this is a fairly recent change). But the games are not "cross buy" in any way similar to the Playstation ecosystem. You can upgrade Wii VC games to Wii U (only if they physically reside on the Wii U console), but buying [GAME] on Wii U, much less Wii, doesn't entitle you to [GAME] on 3DS even if [GAME] is on both. There's also no way to move save data between either system, with case-by-case exceptions (you can do this in Monster Hunter 3 U, but only because of a companion app, it's not built-in functionality like it is on Playstation 3/4/V)
The consoles are joined by ID, but really only for Miiverse, Club Nintendo and eShop balance purposes. This has been a common complaint about Nintendo's ecosystem but there have been no announced plans to change this on the current consoles.