Nintendo has announced that it will be discontinuing online services for its 3DS and Wii U consoles in early April 2024. This means the end of multiplayer features, online co-operative play, internet rankings, and data distribution for these consoles. The popular Nintendo Badge Arcade will also vanish. Keep in mind that the exact date is subject to change, and Nintendo might pull the plug even earlier.
Online Play Comes to a Close
Online play for most games on the 3DS and Wii U will come to an end, but there’s a silver lining. Nintendo will still run its Pokémon Bank cloud storage service, although it’s uncertain how long that will last. However, gamers can breathe a sigh of relief as they will still have the option to redownload previously purchased games and access patches for the foreseeable future.
The Return of Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon
Fans of Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon for the Wii U will remember their online services going offline in March 2023 due to security concerns. Thankfully, Nintendo resolved these issues and brought these popular games back online in August.
SpotPass Fades Away, but StreetPass Lives On
While SpotPass features are saying their goodbyes, StreetPass, a beloved feature within the 3DS ecosystem, will continue to operate. As long as you can find another player who has a 3DS, you can still enjoy StreetPass links. However, certain online communication-dependent features, like receiving new panels in Puzzle Swap, will no longer be available.
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A Nostalgic Look Back
The Wii U, released in 2012 and discontinued in 2017, struggled to find its footing in the market, making it one of Nintendo’s least successful consoles. On the other hand, the 3DS, launched in 2010 and discontinued in 2020, enjoyed a more successful run. Both of these consoles relied on the Nintendo Network, introduced in 2012, for their online services. Nintendo fans will undoubtedly remember these consoles fondly as they prepare to say their final goodbyes to their online features.
