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Nintendo has officially set the date for the end of online play services for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. Marking the end of an era, this move comes after the closure of the eShops for these consoles in March 2023.
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Nintendo Confirms End Date for 3DS and Wii U Online Play
This announcement confirms the company's earlier indication of ceasing these services in early April 2024. Nintendo expressed gratitude for the continued support from its user base, acknowledging the significant role online functionalities like multiplayer gaming and rankings have played in the 3DS and Wii U experience.
Later, Nintendo sent additional details highlighting the following:
Update: until 3/11, you can merge your unused Nintendo eShop balance to your Nintendo Account, so that it can be used on #NintendoSwitch. - @Nintendo of America, X
When will Nintendo 3DS and Wii U online play stop?
From Nintendo's X post above, the online service shut-down date for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U will be April 8, 2024 at 4:00 PM PT / 7:00 PM ET / 12:00 AM (April 9) GMT.
How will gameplay be effected?
Post-April 8, all games on these platforms will be restricted to offline play. This change will notably affect titles that heavily rely on online features, such as the original Splatoon for the Wii U. While online play ceases, Nintendo assures that game updates, re-downloads of purchased software, and DLC from the 3DS and Wii U eShops will remain available for the foreseeable future.
Additionally, Nintendo has highlighted that services like Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter of the Pokémon franchise will retain their online capabilities, given their integral online connectivity.
The Future Looks Digital
The shutdown of these services also symbolizes the end of the Virtual Console service, a nostalgic cornerstone for many Nintendo fans. With this closure, the only avenue for retro Nintendo games now lies with the Switch Online's various apps.
The closure of the Wii U and 3DS eShops had already led to the disappearance of about 1,000 digital-only games, marking a significant moment in Nintendo's digital distribution history.
