Nintendo Ends Online Play for 3DS and Wii U: End of an Era for Legacy Platforms
Entry information
Published on: April 09, 2024
Description
Nintendo has officially discontinued online play and associated features for its Nintendo 3DS and Wii U platforms as of April 8, 2024, drawing the curtain on more than a decade of pioneering handheld and home console experiences.
This long-awaited shutdown follows previous closures and signals a broader transition toward the future of Nintendo’s hardware and services.
The Nintendo 3DS, first released in 2011, and the Wii U, which debuted in 2012, were key platforms in Nintendo’s strategy to bridge handheld and home gaming.
Both systems featured robust online play, unique digital storefronts, and a dedicated Nintendo Network infrastructure.
Over the years, millions of players worldwide connected, battled, and cooperated through iconic titles, including "Mario Kart 7," "Splatoon," and "Super Smash Bros.
for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U."
In October 2023, Nintendo announced its intention to end online functionality for the 3DS and Wii U.
The company later confirmed the final date in January 2024, culminating in this week’s full deactivation of online multiplayer and other network-dependent functions.
This decision follows the earlier March 2023 closure of the Nintendo eShop for both platforms, which ended new purchases and the ability to merge funds with Nintendo Accounts.
A Nintendo spokesperson addressed the user community, stating, “Online play services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software have ended.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our players for their lasting support.” The message reflects the company’s appreciation for the passionate community that supported these platforms through their lifespan.
While most online services are now unavailable, some features persist.
Notably, the Pokémon Bank application on the Nintendo 3DS remains accessible and was made free to use, ensuring players can continue transferring their Pokémon collections.
Nintendo has also indicated that a small number of online services hosted by other publishers may continue for the time being, though the broader Nintendo Network infrastructure is no longer operational.
For dedicated fans and preservationists, this shutdown highlights ongoing concerns about digital game access and the impermanence of online features tied to legacy hardware.
Nevertheless, physical game media and local multiplayer functionality for both consoles remain available for continued play.
The Nintendo Switch, which succeeded both the 3DS and Wii U as Nintendo’s flagship platform, continues to build on the legacy of innovative online play and digital services through the Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Switch Online.
As the company moves forward, the retirement of the 3DS and Wii U online services marks the end of a significant chapter in Nintendo’s storied history, prompting both reflection and anticipation among the gaming community.
