UPDATE – 1.24.2024 – Nintendo has confirmed that April 8, 2024 will officially be the closing date for Wii U/3DS servers. After 4PM PDT on that date “online play and other functionality that uses online communication will end for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software.” However, the company warns that the plug may be pulled even earlier “if an event occurs that would make it difficult to continue online services for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software”.
Nintendo also mentions that up until March 11, customers can merge any unused Nintendo eShop funds on the Wii U/3DS with their Nintendo Account for use on the Nintendo Switch.
Original story is as follows:
Nintendo’s crusade against the past continues, as the company announces it will be terminating the servers that power the online functionalities of the 3DS and Wii U in just a matter of months.
When this occurs, the ability to access features such as online multiplayer will be gone.
As the journey ends
Nintendo posted a new support page on its website which details how this shutdown is set to work.
According to the post, “online play and other functionality that uses online will end for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software. This also includes online co-operative play, internet rankings and data distribution.”
That last part, “data distribution,” may lead you to think that re-downloading purchases from the eShop will no longer be possible. Thankfully, Nintendo mentions in a Q&A section that this functionality will remain active “for the foreseeable future.”
Another feature that will remain is that of StreetPass, which uses a native communication method that’s a part of all systems in the Nintendo 3DS family. Therefore, you may still find yourself getting a new StreetPass handshake from time to time if you encounter another lowly 3DS user in the wild. SpotPass, however, will no longer function as it does happen to make use of online services.
Why the shutdown?
We’ve seen Nintendo decommission a lot of its legacy online services in recent years. Since the launch of the Switch, the Wii Shop Channel and the Nintendo eShop for 3DS and Wii U have all ceased operation. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection that powered servers for the DSi and Wii were shutdown in 2014. Now, ten years later, the same will happen for the 3DS and Wii U.
In all of these instances, Nintendo has never explicitly stated why these decisions were made. But, that’s where historical context and common knowledge come in. Simply put, it does cost money for the servers powering these services to be ran and maintained.
As time has gone on, activity levels have steadily dropped, leading to these services becoming more of a money pit than a source of revenue. In fact, since most of the services that used these servers were free, they were never true source of profits for Nintendo (aside from access to storefronts.) Therefore, shutting them down allows Nintendo to cut costs.
Another reason is that as these servers age, they become more vulnerable to security holes that can be exploited. Upgrading them and patching those holes require resources that Nintendo is likely not willing to spend, given their likely moderate usage.
Nevertheless, it’s still unfortunate for the vibrant few who still make regular use of these services. That said, there are fan-made operations such as Pretendo that are seeking to keep some form of connectivity alive once the official servers cease.
Still, this move from Nintendo continues to be another big example of the gaming industry’s long-standing problem when it comes to ensuring proper preservation of its history (or rather, the lack thereof.)
