Nintendo will discontinue online services for 3DS and Wii U software in early April 2024, company Announced. A specific date will be announced later.
Online services include online cooperative play, Internet leaderboards, and data sharing.
Nintendo noted that online services for Pokémon Bank will continue to operate, “but that may also end at some point in the future.”
Today’s announcement follows the discontinuation of Nintendo eShop sales of the 3DS and Wii U in March.
Get the full announcement below.
■ Announcement of discontinuation of online services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software
Applies to: New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, New Nintendo 2DS XL, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS, Wii U Deluxe and Wii U Basic.
Thank you very much for supporting our products.
In early April 2024, online play and other features that use online communication will end for Nintendo 3DS* and Wii U software. This also includes online cooperative play, online leaderboards, and data sharing.
You can find more information about badges to decorate the Nintendo 3DS HOME Menu using Nintendo Badge Arcade here.
We will announce a specific end date and time later.
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 suspend services sooner than planned.
We sincerely thank players for using the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software online services for a long period of time and apologize for any inconvenience.
*This includes exclusive software for New Nintendo 3DS.
■ Questions and answers
Will I be able to continue playing offline even after online services end?
Yes. Players will still be able to use features and game modes that do not require online communication.
Will some online services continue to be available even after online services end?
It will still be possible to use online services for the following software, but this may also end at some point in the future.
Are they also going to end online services for software from publishers other than Nintendo?
With some exceptions, online services will end for all Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software. Please contact publishers for information about online services for their software.
Will it still be possible to download update data or purchased software?
For the foreseeable future, it will still be possible to download update data and redownload purchased software and downloadable content from the Nintendo eShop.
When online services end, will StreetPass and SpotPass also not be available?
StreetPass uses local communication between Nintendo 3DS family systems, meaning it will continue to be available even after online services end. However, because SpotPass uses online communication, SpotPass features will no longer be available.
For example, you can use StreetPass on StreetPass Mii Plazawhich is pre-installed on Nintendo 3DS family systems, but you will no longer be able to use features that use online communication (such as receiving new panels in Puzzle Swap).