Nintendo has revealed that they are finally closing down online functionality for games on the 3DS and Wii U in 2024.
Nintendo of America shared this message on their website (edited for brevity and clarity):
“Thank you very much for supporting our products.
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.
We will announce a specific end date and time 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 apologize for any inconvenience.”
Nintendo also made it clear that this also affects games that are exclusive to the New Nintendo 3DS, as well as the Badges from Nintendo Badge Arcade on 3DS. Nintendo shut down the online stores for 3DS and Wii U earlier this year, on March.
The Nintendo 3DS was originally released in 2011, and the Wii U was released subsequently in 2012. It has been well over a decade that both game platforms went online, which means that Nintendo is past any legal obligations to keep those servers running.
Fans don’t like it when game companies make these announcements, but the reality beyond the headlines is quite clear. Gamers are fickle and will immediately move on to new platforms, abandoning older ones as new video games become commercial hits, or sequels to popular franchises get released.
It’s easy to say that game companies can keep servers up because it costs them little to nothing. But a bigger issue is that if they can’t move on, this hampers their ability to make improved services for next generations.
But another reason this is a point of interest is something that’s been hitting headlines lately. This may be an indication that Nintendo is, in fact, preparing to launch a new online store and online services, particularly, for their next console.
Nintendo already promised that the Nintendo Account system, that actually started on Miitomo, and was used on the Nintendo Switch, will carry over to their next console. We can safely assume that the company is currently working with DeNA to set this all up, hopefully for a global simultaneous release. And that also gives us an idea of how close Nintendo is to releasing its next console.
