Nintendo Shuts Down StreetPass Relay Stations in Japan: End of an Era for 3DS Social Gaming

Nintendo has officially announced the closure of StreetPass Relay Stations in Japan, underlining the ongoing wind-down of online and community features for the beloved Nintendo 3DS handheld.

StreetPass, a hallmark feature of the 3DS platform, allowed players to interact and exchange data simply by passing by other 3DS owners—an innovation that encouraged social gaming and outdoor exploration well before the rise of apps like Pokémon GO. Introduced globally at the 3DS’s launch in 2011, StreetPass quickly became renowned for its unique social element.

The system's Relay Stations, distributed across public venues such as retail stores and restaurants, acted as network nodes collecting data from passing 3DS devices and redistributing it to others.

This system granted fans additional opportunities to gather StreetPass hits, a resource used in various built-in games and applications, even when meeting other users face-to-face was unlikely, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas. However, as the Nintendo 3DS approaches the end of its life cycle, and with the overwhelming success of the Nintendo Switch, the company is gradually discontinuing support for legacy features.

According to an official statement from Nintendo, all StreetPass Relay Stations in Japan will cease operation, demonstrating another step in phasing out 3DS services as the console winds down. While there has been no global announcement regarding the closure of Relay Stations beyond Japan, similar signs have already emerged in other regions.

In the United Kingdom, for example, Relay support has gradually diminished.

Partners such as mobile carrier O2 and fast-food giant McDonald’s previously hosted stations, but now only select GAME retail locations continue to offer the service. For many long-time fans, StreetPass Replay Stations were vital for maximizing in-game encounters, especially in less densely populated regions.

"For dedicated players, these stations were more than a novelty.

They offered essential access to a key 3DS feature that otherwise might have been out of reach to those outside major cities," industry sources affirm. The closure of these Relay Stations marks a significant moment in the sunset phase of the Nintendo 3DS.

As the gaming community shifts ever more to the Nintendo Switch and the eShop for digital offerings, Nintendo’s celebrated handheld is drawing its remarkable run to a close.

Despite the end of StreetPass Relay Stations, the impact of the 3DS’s innovative social features continues to influence mobile gaming and Nintendo’s broader approach to community engagement.

Nintendo 3DS StreetPass StreetPass Relay Stations Switch O2 McDonald's GAME