Nintendo has announced that Wii U and 3DS online services are to shut down in the coming months.
Per an official announcement, from April next year, you won't be able to play Wii U and 3DS games, including titles like Splatoon and Mario Kart 7, online anymore.
No specific date has been announced yet, but Nintendo says it'll reveal one "at a later date", so stay tuned for that.
The shutdown will also include online rankings and data distribution, so you won't be able to see online leaderboards either.
However, you will still be able to redownload any games, software, or DLC you've previously purchased, and you'll still be able to get update data as well, although it's unlikely (but not impossible!) that Wii U or 3DS games will get many further updates.
Nintendo says you'll still be able to play single-player games on both Wii U and 3DS with no problems, so you don't need to worry about your Fire Emblem Awakening marathon getting cut short.
In addition, online services for Pokemon Bank will continue after April 2024, although Nintendo says "that may also end at some point in the future".
The 3DS' charming StreetPass feature will also remain available, since it uses local communication and not online connectivity, although you won't be able to do things like getting new puzzle panels for Puzzle Swap.
The Wii U and 3DS eShop services were officially discontinued in March this year, leading many to express concern about some of the games that are no longer available as a result of that decision.
This move also presumably affects games like Super Mario Maker, in which online courses made available prior to its discontinuation were still playable (but likely won't be after April).
Stay tuned for more news about the impending Wii U and 3DS online service shutdown, including any potential final date Nintendo announces in the coming months.
