Topic: Why can't I download this?

So, my 3ds and Wii U accounts are linked. I bought Shovel Knight on the Wii U and downloaded it- so why can't I download it on the 3ds? I can pull up the receipt on the 3ds but I can't have the game?
Or am I missing something?

You only downloaded it on the Wii U. The 3DS version is separate

Well, okay, but why? It's the same game.

You must be new to Nintendo systems. There is no cross buy as of yet. If you want both versions you need to buy both versions. Nintendo has made small very small steps in this direction but is far from it at this point in time. Plus the hardware is quite different as oppose to the Vita and ps3/4

No, I've been playing nintendo systems my entire life. I just thought that since the account was connected, purchases would be too.

At the moment, there really are not that many games on both the 3DS and Wii U, so cross buy would be very minimal.

In Europe there's one game called Squids Odyssey where if you buy it on the 3DS you can download the Wii U version for free.
I hope for much more of this stuff in the near future.

Minimal is a strong word. Especially considering the VC.

There's slight differences between the 2 versions, the 3DS has streetpass and the Wii U has Miiverse. Just be lucky you can play it, there's still no firm UK release date!

@TheClamFace Unfortunately, Nintendo is seemingly still working under the assumption that the only thing factoring into the whole value-consideration on the consumer side, is the quality of the product itsfelf, and nothing else. There have been very minor steps to address factors like convenience, price and versatility, all in all it's still very much a change-of-the-century proposition. It's still a 'pay a premium, get a lack of premium features' approach. I hope that as Nintendo keeps being desperate, the winds of change will blow stronger in that regard. At least the quality of the product itself is still there though ... ! :-/

And only the NES is on both systems...so still minimal