Nintendo has officially killed Wii U and 3DS

A sad day for Nintendo Wii U and 3DS fans. Nintendo fans mourning the loss of the Wii U and 3DS eShops last year can finally put their online hopes to rest. The company took to X, announcing the official shutoff date for online services on both consoles, effectively marking the end of an era.

“Update: as of 4/8, online play and other functionality that uses online communication will end service for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software,” the message reads. “Thank you very much for your continued support of our products.”

The company has made a detailed announcement of the update on its customer support page. For those wanting to get into details, refer here.

Previously slated for "early April 2024," Nintendo has confirmed online play and other online functionalities will cease on April 8, 2024, at 4:00 pm PT. This means features like online multiplayer, rankings and data distribution will be no more.

While the eShop closures in March 2023 prevented buying new digital games, online features offered a glimmer of hope for dedicated players. However, this latest update extinguishes that flame, leaving only offline play as an option.

Games like the original Splatoon on Wii U, which thrived on online competition, will be heavily impacted by this change. Still, Nintendo assures players that offline functionality remains intact. Notably, Pokemon Bank and Poké Transporter, crucial for transferring Pokemon between generations, will retain online functionality for the foreseeable future.

The company emphasizes this shutdown solely affects in-game online features. Players can still download updates, and redownload purchased software and DLC from the defunct eShops "for the foreseeable future."

This news comes as a blow to fans who cherished the online communities fostered on these consoles. While some may find solace in reliving offline adventures, the absence of online functionalities undoubtedly marks a massive loss for the Wii U and 3DS' legacy.

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