As Nintendo prepares to shutter its 3DS and Wii U online services, gamers worldwide are left wondering about the fate of their beloved titles.
With the imminent closure just hours away, it's crucial to understand the implications of this development. Here's a comprehensive guide that you need to read about the impending shutdown.
When is the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Online Service Shutdown?
According to the official support page of Nintendo, the online services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U will cease operations simultaneously across the globe. The exact timing of the shutdown varies depending on your time zone. Here's when it's happening:
Monday, April 8, 2024
- 4:00pm PDT (Western US)
- 7:00pm EDT (Eastern US)
- 12:00am BST (UK time)
- 1:00am CEST (Central European time)
- 8:00am JST (Japan time)
- 9:00am AEST (Eastern Australia)
- 11:00am NZST (New Zealand)
What Particular Online Services Will Be Affected
Following the shutdown, virtually all online functionalities for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U will be inaccessible. This includes online multiplayer features for the majority of games, with only a select few third-party titles possibly retaining online playability. Additionally, services like Spotpass and the 3DS Badge Arcade will cease operations.
Players will no longer have the option to download DLC for certain games, such as the Monster Hunter series, that were not available on the eShop. Furthermore, titles like Mario Maker will lose access to user-generated levels. This means that you need to download of desired levels before the deadline for future replay.
Post-Deadline Downloads
Fortunately, games purchased before the deadline can still be downloaded after the services are discontinued. However, DLC packs, such as those for Monster Hunter, which were acquired in-game rather than through the store, will not be accessible for download post-shutdown, The Sun writes.
The Big N assures players that this download option will remain available indefinitely, as seen with other discontinued online services like the Wii.
Good News For Pokemon Fans
For Pokémon enthusiasts, The Pokémon Company has confirmed that Pokémon Bank and Pokémon Transporter on the 3DS will remain operational even after the online services shut down.
Players who downloaded the Pokémon Bank app before the eShop closure last year can continue to transfer Pokémon at no additional cost. Pokémon stored in the Bank can still be linked to Pokémon Home for subsequent transfer to the Nintendo Switch.
The countdown to the shutdown ticks away and we could only wait for it to settle down. The online services will be permanently closed sooner, but you can still relive your memories with 3DS and Wii U through the pictures and short videos of yesteryears.
If 3Ds and Wii U online services are about to bid goodbye, Nintendo also made sure that Switch emulators are a no-no. As proof, the Skyline Android emulator for Switch games was shut down in 2023.
Just last March 2024, the more popular Yuzu Switch emulator did not escape the Big N's lawsuit. Eventually, the developers paid Nintendo $2.4 million for the damages. They also gave up the code for Switch emulation.
