Nintendo Network Server Shutdown: End of Online Play for Wii U and 3DS Games

Nintendo Network Server Shutdown: End of Online Play for Wii U and 3DS Games After years of shaping the landscape of online gaming for Nintendo fans, the Nintendo Network servers for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS officially went offline on April 8, 2024.

With this shutdown, a significant chapter in Nintendo’s hardware history has closed, directly impacting core online features across a vast library of titles and leaving the gaming community to reflect on the legacy of these platforms. The Nintendo Network, which launched as Nintendo's unified online service during the 3DS and Wii U era, marked the company's first widespread commitment to modern online gaming.

While previous platforms like the Wii and Nintendo DS introduced online play on a limited, game-by-game basis, the Nintendo Network provided integrated services—including friend lists, multiplayer matchmaking, Miiverse social interaction, and digital content distribution via the eShop. From Pokémon battles and trading on the Nintendo 3DS to creating and sharing levels in Super Mario Maker for Wii U, online connectivity became a defining pillar of the eighth generation for Nintendo.

The closure affects hundreds of games, stripping away their online multiplayer, leaderboards, and community-driven features.

Notably, players can no longer access Super Mario Maker’s Course World, or join online Mario Kart 7 races, among other popular experiences. The final moments of the Nintendo Network’s operation were met with nostalgia and community spirit.

Fans and content creators documented their last gameplay sessions, capturing a sense of camaraderie.

Matthew Reynolds shared a poignant look at Super Mario Maker’s Course World minutes before the shutdown, while a video by creator Jerm showed the servers disconnecting mid-race on Rainbow Road during a Mario Kart 7 session.

Scenes like these encapsulate the end of an era and highlight the emotional connection many players have with these services. Despite the widespread shutdown, not all online services disappeared.

Nintendo confirmed that Pokémon Bank and Pokémon Transporter on 3DS remain accessible, allowing players to transfer their favorite Pokémon to modern systems through Pokémon HOME.

This limited functionality ensures that some level of continuity persists for longtime Pokémon fans. The Nintendo Network era also featured innovative social tools, such as Miiverse—a tightly curated, game-integrated social network that invited players to share art, messages, and strategies.

Paid DLC for first-party games debuted on these platforms, further modernizing Nintendo’s digital offerings. For those seeking to keep the online spirit alive, the fan-driven Pretendo Network offers a community-powered solution that restores online play to certain Wii U and 3DS games.

Enthusiasts can follow tutorials and updates from creators like Modern Vintage Gamer to get involved and continue experiencing multiplayer gameplay long after the official network sunset. As Nintendo focuses its resources on the Nintendo Switch and prepares for upcoming hardware, the end of Wii U and 3DS online play serves as both a farewell and a celebration of the enduring legacy these systems have left on the gaming landscape.

Nintendo Wii Wii U 3DS Xbox Series X|S Nintendo Network Nintendo 3DS Super Mario Maker Pokémon Bank Pokémon Transporter Pokémon HOME Matthew Reynolds Jerm Pretendo Modern Vintage Gamer