Nintendo 3DS and Wii U Online Services to End in April 2024: Official Details and What Players Need to Know
Entry information
Published on: October 04, 2023
Description
Nintendo has officially announced the discontinuation of online services for its Nintendo 3DS and Wii U platforms, marking a significant transition in the company's legacy hardware lineup.
The end of "online play and other functionality that uses online communication" will take place in early April 2024, affecting a wide array of software and features that have been integral to both systems for years.
The confirmation comes after a period of speculation from the gaming community and is shared directly by Nintendo: "In early April 2024, online play and other functionality that uses online communication will end for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software.
This also includes online co-operative play, internet rankings, and data distribution."
While an exact end date has not been specified, Nintendo urges users to take advantage of online services while they last.
The company further clarifies that services may be terminated sooner than planned if unforeseen circumstances arise, stating, "Please note that if an event occurs that would make it difficult to continue online services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software, we may have to discontinue services earlier than planned."
FAQs published on Nintendo’s official support site detail what users can expect.
Most notably, although online functionality for games will end, players can still download update data and redownload purchased software and downloadable content (DLC) from the Nintendo eShop for both the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U for the foreseeable future.
Nintendo also highlights that while the 3DS feature StreetPass will remain available, SpotPass services are being discontinued.
An important exception is the Pokémon Bank application for the 3DS, which will remain functional after the broader shutdown, though Nintendo cautions that this could change at a future date.
Similarly, some third-party titles and specific services may persist, but these are the exception rather than the rule.
Affected features include not only game matchmaking and leaderboards but also specialized apps such as Nintendo Badge Arcade, which will display an error screen upon launch after online support ceases, and users will no longer be able to manage badges in the badge box.
This move follows the closure of the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShops in March 2023, when it became impossible to purchase new games or DLC.
However, Nintendo has ensured that it remains possible to redownload previous purchases for the near term.
This development closes a significant chapter in Nintendo’s hardware history, as both the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U were instrumental in defining handheld and home console play for a generation of gamers.
Nintendo's ongoing support for the Nintendo Switch platform, combined with these changes, signifies a strategic shift to newer hardware and digital ecosystems.
Nintendo has promised to provide further updates and a firm discontinuation date as early April draws closer.
For now, existing 3DS and Wii U users are encouraged to use online features while they are still operational.
