Nintendo is shutting down online servers for 3DS and Wii U games in early April 2024, with the exception of Pokémon Bank.
The announcement came in a tweet (below) and in an update on Nintendo's support website, where the publisher thanked players for using its hardware but confirmed the shutdown is just six months away. A specific shutdown date will be announced later.
"In early April 2024, online play and other functionality that uses online communication will end for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software," the post said. "This also includes online co-operative play, internet rankings, and data distribution."
As of early April 2024, online play and other functionality that uses online communication will end service for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software. Thank you very much for your continued support of our products.
— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) October 4, 2023
Find out more: https://t.co/nOyzBImHCE
Though Nintendo said plans are subject to change and could potentially arrive sooner than announced, the one exception to the rule is Pokémon Bank, which will remain online but "may also end at some point in the future".
The predecessor to Pokémon Home, Pokémon Bank essentially connects all the digital Pokémon Game Boy Games with the Game Boy Advance, DS, and Nintendo 3DS titles. It's also the only way to transfer Pokémon from these games to the Nintendo Switch through Pokémon Home.
"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," the publisher added. "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."
Games can still be played offline on these platforms, of course, and beloved 3DS social interaction game StreetPass will survive thanks to it using local communication and not online services.
The shutdown isn't particularly surprising in the context of the Switch's lifecycle coming to an end, never mind that of its predecessors the Wii U and 3DS. The eShops for both consoles were also shut down in March 2023, meaning no new games could be purchased on either platform.
The end of the Switch is otherwise being discussed at Nintendo, though the publisher has promised it will continue making new games until at least 2025. It's reportedly set to release its next-gen console during the second half of 2024.
Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He'll talk about The Witcher all day.