Could this possibly be the final death of the 3DS? It seems like it might be, as Nintendo announces they will soon end online services for the 3DS and Wii U consoles. This comes after almost a decade of support for these systems, which fans have loved and held many iconic games. In a tweet last October 4, Nintendo announced that the 3DS Online services, including gameplay, will end in early April 2024.
“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,” Nintendo says.
The Beginning Of An Era
The 3DS was first released in February 2011, introducing glasses-free 3D graphics and backward compatibility with DS games. It quickly became a hit, selling over 75 million units worldwide and giving us beloved titles such as Animal Crossing: New Leaf, Pokémon X and Y, and *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D.* The Wii U, released in November 2012, was the successor to the Wii and introduced a tablet-like controller with second-screen capabilities.
The End Of An Era: When Will Nintendo Shut Down 3DS And Wii U Online?
However, with the release of the Nintendo Switch in 2017, these consoles slowly began to fade into obscurity. While they were still popular among certain audiences, their online services became less active as more players turned to the newer system. Now, it seems like Nintendo has decided to officially retire these consoles and focus on their newer systems.
The shutdown date hasn’t been specified yet. Still, in Nintendo’s FAQ, it is mentioned that if any event arises that would make it challenging to sustain online services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software, the services might be discontinued before the planned date.
What This Means For Gamers
For those who still enjoy playing games on their 3DS or Wii U, this news may be disappointing. However, it’s important to note that this only affects online services such as multiplayer and leaderboards. Players can still access and play all previously purchased games and download titles from the eShop. Additionally, online play for certain titles will still be available through local wireless or LAN connections.
Luckily, though, the Pokemon Bank service will not be affected. Players can still transfer their beloved Pokemon from previous games into newer titles. And for those who have yet to experience some of the classic 3DS and Wii U titles, now may be the perfect time to do so before online services end.
The Future of Nintendo
So what’s next for Nintendo? It’s clear that they are focusing on their successful Switch console and its upcoming successor, the Switch Pro/Switch 2. With a strong lineup of first-party and third-party games and a thriving online community, it seems like Nintendo is poised to continue dominating the gaming industry for years to come. And who knows, maybe we’ll see some of our beloved 3DS and Wii U characters come back on the Switch. Only time will tell!