Summary
Online multiplayer on allWii Uand3DSgames has come to an end, asNintendoshuts down the servers for good. This makes it impossible to use online functionality in games such as Pokemon X & Y,Splatoon, Mario Kart 8, and Super Smash Bros for Wii U and 3DS - at least while using conventional means.
From now on, the only way to access the online features in these games will be to rely on fan-made servers, as we’ve seen with the original Wii. This means that most players have likely played their final online matches on these consoles, as Nintendo looks to the future with the Switch andits unannounced successor.
Across social media, Nintendo fans are paying their respects to the consoles, with many playing a few games of Splatoon for old-time’s sake.
Over on the Nintendo 3D, fans have been saying goodbye toAnimal Crossing: New Leaf. Of course, most of its features will be intact after today, but this has been the last day that players are able to visit one another’s towns. After this, they’ll have to move on toAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsif they want an online multiplayer experience.
Splatoon is one of the most affected games, as the main appeal was its online play. Now, you’re limited to the single-player campaign and the local one-on-one multiplayer.
The servers were only just taken offline, as the shutdown was scheduled for 7PM EST. It comes after the 3DS and Wii U launched in 2011 and 2012 respectively, giving them decent lifecycles of more than a decade. That said, this is still far less support than other companies have provided their consoles, with online servers for PS3 and Xbox 360 still functional, depending on the game.
Some of the best games on Wii U and 3DS
The Wii U and 3DS have now joined their predecessors, the Wii and DS, which had their online servers shut down in 2014. This leaves the Switch as the only Nintendo console with online play, although this probably won’t last much longer, as rumours circulate that the company’s next consolewill be with us next year.
