In less than 7 hours, Nintendo will end the online service for the 3DS and Wii U systems will go into effect, meaning that with a couple of exceptions, this is the end of the road for those two systems.
You will no longer be able to buy new games, play games online, or access some services after 4pm PDT on April 8, 2024 (9am EST on April 9, 2024 for Australians).
After this time, online play and pretty much anything requiring online communication in games or apps like leaderboards or live information will cease to function. Local communication features like StreetPass will still function as usual, and digital purchases on the 3DS or WiiU made before the eShop shutting down last year will still be available to re-download “for the foreseeable future.”
Nintendo also shared a statement about the changes, saying:
“At 4pm PDT on April 8, 2024, online play and other functionality that uses online communication will end for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software. This also includes online cooperative play, internet rankings, and data distribution.
“You can find more information about badges for decorating the Nintendo 3DS HOME Menu using Nintendo Badge Arcade here.
“Please note that if an event occurs that would make it difficult to continue online services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software, we may have to discontinue services earlier than planned.
“We sincerely thank players for using the online services of Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software over a long period of time and apologize for any inconvenience.”
Nintendo also released a very small Q & A section about what will and will not be possible once the online service shuts down:
- Will I still be able to play offline even after online services end?
- Yes. Players will still be able to use features and game modes that do not require online communication.
- Will any online services still be available even after online services generally end?
- It will still be possible to use online services for the following software but that may also end at some point in the future.
- Pokémon Bank
- Poké Transporter
- Are you also ending online services for software from publishers other than Nintendo?
- With some exceptions, online services will end for all Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software. Please contact publishers for information about the online services for their software.
- Will it still be possible to download update data or purchased software?
- For the foreseeable future, it will still be possible to download update data and redownload purchased software and downloadable content from Nintendo eShop.
- When online services end, will StreetPass and SpotPass no longer be available either?
- StreetPass uses local communication between Nintendo 3DS family systems, meaning that it will still be available even after online services end. However, because SpotPass uses online communication, SpotPass features will no longer be available.For example, you will be able to use StreetPass in StreetPass Mii Plaza, which is pre-installed on Nintendo 3DS family systems, but you will no longer be able to use features that use online communication (such as receiving new panels in Puzzle Swap).
So if you still own one of these systems, what can you do with it besides leave it to gather dust in a collection?
The Answer: Jailbreak the damn thing!
Yep, now that the 3DS and Wii U have entered the realm of “dead consoles”, we know that they will NEVER release anything from the DS/3DS and Wii U family (90% of the Wii U library has been ported to the Switch anyway) again, its safe to go ahead and use some YouTube videos to get the most out of your consoles and tell Nintendo to shove it at the same time.
While we here at The Outerhaven will never tell you where to go to get 3DS or Wii U ROMs, or ripped games, since that is illegal (Emulation is still legal, despite what Nintendo thinks). But there is nothing illegal about giving you information to do what you want with your system that the company will no longer service (Yep, that’s dead too)
It’s not a fitting end to one of Nintendo’s best handheld consoles since the GameBoy, the DS/3DS, but it is a fitting end to the horrible black mark that is the Wii U. It’s always sad to see services end for any console, leading to more debate about if you truly own digital media (Nintendo says you can redownload bought games, but that can change).
Rest in Peace 3DS and Wii U, may the memory of the sound of enjoyment of gamers everywhere sing thee to thy rest.
