Nintendo has officially revealed the date on which 3DS and Wii U online services will cease.
In a post on its official website, the Japanese gaming giant reveals that online play and other online functionality for both legacy consoles will come to an end on April 8th at 4pm Pacific (that's 7pm Eastern).
The shutdown of 3DS and Wii U online services had already been announced back in October, but this is the first time Nintendo has revealed a concrete date.
This shutdown applies to anything that uses online communication across the entire 3DS and Wii U family.
That means you won't be able to play games online anymore, and you also won't be able to access online leaderboards.
Of course, this shutdown shouldn't affect your ability to play your 3DS games offline, which you'll still be able to do.
You'll also still be able to download any software you've already purchased in the past, although you can't buy new games since the eShop for both consoles was discontinued in March last year.
Not all online services across 3DS and Wii U are ending, however. Nintendo says it'll still be possible to use Pokemon Bank and Poke Transporter for now, but that these services "may also end at some point in the future".
In addition, Nintendo says there may be "some exceptions" regarding third-party games on 3DS and Wii U, but that you should contact those games' publishers for more info.
Happily, the StreetPass minigame will still be functional, since it uses local communication and doesn't need your system to be online. However, SpotPass features, like receiving new Puzzle Swap panels, won't be available anymore.
Make sure to get all of your Super Smash Bros. bouts on 3DS and Wii U in while you can. Stay tuned for more news on all things Nintendo.
