‘End of an era’ as Nintendo shuts down online play for two famous ‘discontinued’ consoles next year

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Nintendo, the Japanese tech giant, has made the decision to permanently shut down online services for two iconic game consoles, marking the end of an era for gaming enthusiasts. The affected consoles are the 3DS and Wii U, which have experienced immense popularity over the years.

Online services come to an end

As a result of this decision, gamers will no longer be able to enjoy multiplayer features, ranking systems, and other connected functionalities. This marks the end of an era for these two consoles, which have brought joy to millions around the world.

Discontinued consoles

The 3DS and Wii U, both highly successful consoles, were officially discontinued by Nintendo in 2020 and 2017, respectively. The closure of their online services is the final step in the phasing out process.

Shop sales closed earlier this year

Prior to this announcement, Nintendo had already closed the digital shop sales for both the 3DS and Wii U earlier this year. This move further solidifies the end of these consoles' lifespan in the gaming industry.

End of online play

In early April 2024, online play and all other functionalities that rely on online communication will be permanently disabled for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software. This includes online co-operative play, internet rankings, and data distribution. Nintendo has assured users that a specific end date and time will be announced in the near future. The company expressed gratitude to players for their continued support and apologized for any inconvenience caused.

Pokemon Bank and StreetPass

While most online features will be discontinued, some exceptions have been made. Pokemon Bank will retain its online capabilities for the time being, allowing users to continue enjoying the popular feature. Additionally, the StreetPass social gaming experience, which relies on nearby communication between Nintendo 3DS devices, will continue unaffected. However, SpotPass, which requires online communication, will no longer be available.

Access to updates and purchased software

Players will still have the ability to download update data and redownload purchased software and downloadable content from the Nintendo eShop. Nintendo stated that this service will be available "for the foreseeable future," ensuring that users can continue to access and enjoy their purchased content.

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