'End of an era' as Nintendo shuts down online play for beloved consoles

Nintendo says goodbye to two iconic consoles

Nintendo has dealt a blow to gaming fans as it announces the closure of online services for two of its popular consoles, marking the end of an era for these beloved devices. The Japanese tech giant has confirmed that it will be shutting down the online play and other connected features for the 3DS and Wii U, including multiplayer and ranking options. This move follows the discontinuation of both consoles, with the 3DS having been taken off the market in 2020 after a decade of success, and the Wii U in 2017.

A farewell to online gaming

In a recent statement, Nintendo revealed that online play and other online communication functionalities for both the 3DS and Wii U will cease in early April 2024. This includes online cooperative play, internet rankings, and data distribution. The specific end date and time will be announced later. Nintendo expressed gratitude to players for their long-term usage of the online services and apologized for any inconvenience caused.

Some features spared, while others bid farewell

While online play will come to an end, Nintendo has decided to keep some features intact for the time being. Pokemon Bank will continue to have its online capabilities, allowing users to access its services. Additionally, the StreetPass social gaming experience will remain unaffected as it relies on nearby communication between Nintendo 3DS devices rather than online connectivity. However, SpotPass, which does require online communication, will be discontinued.

Making the most of the foreseeable future

Despite the closure of online services, players will still have the opportunity to download update data and redownload purchased software and downloadable content from Nintendo eShop. Nintendo has assured users that this functionality will be available "for the foreseeable future," allowing gamers to continue to enjoy their favorite titles.