Nintendo Confirms Closure Dates For 3DS And Wii U Services

Nintendo has confirmed that the online services for the 3DS and Wii U will be 8 April 2024 and will apply to all software, with the exception of Pokémon Bank, which will end at a later date.

In a statement posted on the Nintendo Support Website, the cancellation of the online services applies to pretty much any aspect of a game that uses the internet including online-multiplayer, leader boards and data distribution. Players will still be able to access any patches, DLC or redownload deleted games, so long as they were added to their accounts prior to last year’s e-shop closure.

The shutdown of all online services for the 3DS and Wii U has been on the cards for a while, after the Japanese giant announced the closure of both system’s e-shop last year. For those wondering, Street Pass on the 3DS, which works on console-console communication, will continue to work after the services are pulled. Pokémon Bank does not have a date it will cease to work but according to the FAQs on Nintendo’s support page, this will happen at some point. The full statement from Nintendo’s website reads:

Thank you very much for your continued support of our products.

As of 8 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.

We will announce a specific end date and timing at a later date.

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.

We sincerely thank players for using the online services of Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software over a long period of time and apologise for any inconvenience.

* This includes software exclusive to New Nintendo 3DS.

Nintendo Website (Accessed 24 January 2024)

The 3DS was released in 2011 and the Wii U a year later, but have both been superseded by the Switch in 2017. While the closure of the services seemed inevitable thanks to the Switch’s success, fans haven’t been happy about the slow closure of the online functions of the consoles as it means losing access to many digital only games.

Nintendo’s online architecture has also come under fire, as both Microsoft and Sony offer players the option to bring their digital libraries to the latest consoles. It remains to be seen how Nintendo will operate their digital offering as players look to their next console, but with the Xbox 360 and PS3 online functionality still up after almost 20 years, it seems Nintendo still have a way to go to improve their online services.

The last day for players to access the online services for the 3DS and Wii U is 8 April 2024.

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