Image Credits :- Sora News24
Nintendo has officially disclosed the last day of online service for its 3DS and Wii U systems, with the shutdown slated for this spring. Online services for the 3DS and Wii U will conclude on April 9 at 9 a.m. in Japan and on April 8 at 4 p.m. in North America. The announcement emphasizes that while certain online functionalities will cease, the StreetPass feature on the 3DS will continue operating via local connections between devices.
This announcement follows Nintendo’s previous statement in October, where it indicated that online services for the 3DS and Wii U would be discontinued within approximately six months. The updated statement provides a more precise timetable for the shutdown.
One notable detail is that the StreetPass functionality on the 3DS will persist even after April 8/9, as it operates through local connections between 3DS units. However, other forms of online multiplayer play, including SpotPass, will no longer be available.
Concerns have been raised about the potential loss of games, especially those that are out of print or were never released physically, as video game companies scale back their online services. Nintendo, in particular, has been less active than some of its counterparts in offering classic games for purchase and use with newer hardware. The termination of digital purchases for 3DS and Wii U software through the Nintendo eShop in March 2023 further highlighted this trend.
Despite the upcoming shutdown of online services, Nintendo assures users that they will still be able to re-download games they have previously purchased, along with updates, “for the foreseeable future.”
It’s important to note that Nintendo’s announcement includes a cautionary statement 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.” This warning serves as a reminder to users to make the most of their remaining time for online multiplayer activities before the scheduled shutdown this spring.