Nintendo to Shut Down Online Services for 3DS and Wii U in Major Support Sunsetting Move

Nintendo has made the decision to discontinue broad online functionality for its previous handheld, the 3DS, and its console, the Wii U. The company recently announced this news in a post on the Nintendo Support website, providing further details in a Q&A section. Beginning in early April 2024, multiplayer options, online rankings, and other features that require internet usage will be shuttered. However, users will still be able to play games that do not require an internet connection. It is important to note that certain features will be exempted from the shutdown, such as the Pokémon Bank feature in games like Pokémon Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Sun, and Moon, as well as the Pokémon Transporter, which supports titles like Pokémon Gold and Silver. Nintendo's StreetPass feature, which allows 3DS players to message and play with nearby users, will also remain available as it uses local communication and does not require online services. However, the wireless hotspot and LAN feature called SpotPass will no longer function after the shutdown. This move by Nintendo can be seen as a significant step towards sunsetting support for the 3DS and Wii U consoles, both of which were released over a decade ago. The 3DS was first introduced in 2011, with an XL version launched in 2017, while the Wii U was released back in 2012.