Nintendo Fans! Big news from the gaming world
Hey Nintendo Fans! Big news from the gaming world: Nintendo has officially announced the shutdown of online services for our beloved Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software. This change is set to take place on April 8 at 4 pm PT/ 7 pm ET/ 12 am (April 9) GMT. It's a bittersweet moment as we bid farewell to these iconic platforms, signaling Nintendo's shift towards newer systems and services.
Back in March 2023, we closed the eShops for 3DS and Wii U, allowing for continued in-game online experiences until now. This means features like online multiplayer and rankings were still up and running. But as of April 8, these functionalities will be impacted, bringing an end to an era of online gaming for these systems. However, fear not! Some services like Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter will still have online functionality even after the shutdown.
This decision reflects Nintendo's ongoing transition away from older systems, focusing on the future of gaming. For those who love games like the original Splatoon on Wii U, please note that these games will become offline-only after April 8.
Update: Effective 4/8, online play and other features requiring online communication will cease for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software. We want to express our heartfelt thanks for your continued support of our products.
Curious to learn more? Check out the official announcement here: [Nintendo's Twitter Announcement](https://t.co/VdIdewGmB5)
Now, what about all those games you've downloaded and purchased? Well, you can still grab update data and re-download your favorite software and DLC from the 3DS and Wii U eShops "for the foreseeable future." So your game library isn't going anywhere just yet!
With the closure of the eShops on March 27, we said goodbye to approximately 1000 digital-only eShop games, marking the end of the Virtual Console service. But fear not retro game lovers! Nintendo Switch Online's various apps are now your go-to for those classic favorites.
We appreciate each and every one of you for being part of the Nintendo family. Let's keep the gaming spirit alive as we look forward to what's next!