Nintendo Wii U & 3DS Online Support Planned to End April 2024

Nintendo has announced that as of early April 2024, online play and other online communication functionality will end service for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software. “This also includes online co-operative play, internet rankings, and data distribution.”

Pokémon Bank is stated to be supported regardless, though “that may also end at some point in the future.” Additionally, the ability to download updates and redownload purchased content from the eShop will be available for the foreseeable future.

Moreover, StreetPass will still be useable since it uses local communication between 3DS systems, but SpotPass features will no longer be present as it utilizes online connectivity.

“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).”

Lastly, the following note is worth keeping in mind:

“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.”

You can view the official Nintendo support page for more details.