All good things must come to an end, and while plenty of Nintendo Switch 2 rumors seem to point towards even the Switch meeting its end, it’s now the final death knell for 3DS and Wii U online functions. Nintendo is preparing to shutter all online services for existing 3DS and Wii U games, so you won’t be able to play online with any title.
This change affects the online multiplayer of some incredible games like Kid Icarus Uprising, Mario Kart 7, Triforce Heroes, Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS, Xenoblade Chronicles X, and even the original Splatoon. While many games have sequels or separate versions on the Switch, it’s always sad to see online services shut down for games, especially when there’s no alternative elsewhere. Personally, I loved playing Triforce Heroes online and many of the other best 3DS games, and I’ll be sad to see that option disappear.
Some services like Stresspass will lose certain aspects as they lose access to online functions, but local multiplayer is still possible, so actual Streetpass local connections will remain active. Meanwhile, Pokémon has released a statement mentioning that Pokémon Bank is set to continue for an unspecified amount of time after the closure. Regardless, the company recommends moving all Pokémon over to Pokémon Home soon.
When is Nintendo ending the 3DS and Wii U online functions?
In a statement, Nintendo announced it’s closing online functions for the Wii U and the 3DS family of systems in early April 2024. There isn’t an exact date just yet, but we recommend redownloading all your 3DS and Wii U eShop games while you can and migrating any Pokémon you want over to Pokémon Home in the near future. While you’re there, maybe hop into some online games on your Wii U or 3DS, like the Kid Icarus Uprising multiplayer, because it rules.
Well, folks, it’s certainly sad news, but we do have some time left to enjoy hundreds and thousands of great games as the developers intended. If you want to get some recommendations, check out our guide to the best Wii U games next.