Nintendo has announced that all online services for the Wii U and 3DS will go offline in April next year. The company says that while this will affect the majority of the services across these platforms, some servers will still remain online. For example, the Pokemon Bank will remain active so users can still transfer their Pokemon from 3DS games to Pokemon Home.
You’ll also still be able to play all your 3DS games offline without any issues. You’ll also still be able to download patches and redownload games purchased on the 3DS and Wii U eShop. However, most of these games won’t be able to connect online to play with others and participate in online services.
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Nintendo says this shutdown will affect “online cooperative play, internet rankings and data distribution”. So your online gaming experiences with lobbies and leaderboards will cease to exist. Nintendo is also handling the StreetPass and Mii Plaza features separately. Users will no longer be able to use any online modes in these apps. This includes receiving new panels for Puzzle Swap. But again, you’ll still be able to use all offline functionality.
The company has yet to provide a set date for this shutdown. But be warned that the expected “April 2024” date might actually change. Nintendo recently took down the Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon services due to an online exploit. The company has warned that “if an event occurs that would make it difficult to continue online services for the 3DS and Wii U, the company will then discontinue the services earlier than planned”.
You can read the full FAQ regarding the shutdown on the official site here. It details what to expect and what changes are being made on both platforms ahead of April 2024.
As of early April 2024, online play and other functionality that uses online communication will end service for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software. Thank you very much for your continued support of our products.
Find out more: https://t.co/nOyzBImHCE
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 4, 2023
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