Nintendo Axes 3DS, Wii U Online Services in April 2024, Ending Multiplayer & More

Nintendo has recently announced the shutdown of online services for its beloved 3DS and Wii U consoles, effective early April 2024.

This decision will have far-reaching implications for gamers who have enjoyed the multiplayer features, online co-op play, internet rankings, and data distribution on these platforms.

The Japanese gaming giant, which previously closed the eShops for these consoles, is now closing the curtain on the remaining online services.

While the exact date is yet to be finalized, Nintendo has left room for discontinuing these services "earlier than planned" if unforeseen circumstances arise.

The Impact on Gamers

This announcement is bittersweet for gamers who have spent countless hours competing with friends or strangers online. Once the services are discontinued, these experiences will become relics of the past.

However, not all is lost. Nintendo has assured players that they can still redownload previously purchased games and access patches "for the foreseeable future."

Some Features Hang in the Balance

One notable exception to the service discontinuation is the Pokémon Bank cloud storage service. Engadget tells us that Nintendo has confirmed that it will continue to operate this service, at least for the time being.

However, Nintendo has hinted that even Pokémon Bank might face closure down the road.

While most online features will bid farewell, StreetPass, a beloved feature of the Nintendo 3DS ecosystem, will continue to function.

StreetPass relies on local communication between Nintendo 3DS family systems, ensuring that players can still cross paths virtually and share experiences.

However, the fate of SpotPass is less fortunate. SpotPass, which uses online communication, will cease to exist, marking the end of features that depend on it.

Console Nostalgia

The 3DS, released in 2010 and discontinued in 2020, was a commercial success, offering gamers a library of captivating titles.

On the other hand, the Wii U launched in 2012 and was discontinued in 2017, making it one of Nintendo's less popular consoles.

Both consoles were supported by the Nintendo Network, which arrived in 2012, providing online services for both platforms.

Take Note

Nintendo has thoughtfully provided answers to some pressing questions that gamers may have:

• Players will still be able to use features and game modes that do not require online communication, ensuring offline play remains an option.
• Online services for software from publishers other than Nintendo may also cease, but gamers are encouraged to contact the publishers for more information.
• Downloading update data and redownloading purchased software and downloadable content from Nintendo eShop will still be possible for the foreseeable future.

Nintendo expressed gratitude to the loyal community of gamers who have supported the online services of the 3DS, and Wii U consoles over the years.

The company acknowledged the inconvenience this decision may cause but assured fans that they will continue to explore exciting new gaming experiences on the Nintendo Switch and beyond.

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