Nintendo pulls the plug on Wii U and 3DS online from April 9

Nintendo has announced that it will terminate all online services for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS systems starting from April 9th, meaning that online play, leaderboards, and data distribution will no longer be available from that date. This decision comes after the closure of the eShop for these platforms in March of the previous year. However, games that feature single-player elements will still be playable, and online services such as Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter will continue to operate. Furthermore, previously purchased games and downloadable content (DLC) will still be available for download from the eShop for the foreseeable future. The shutdown of Nintendo's online services for the Wii U and 3DS marks the end of an era for these legacy consoles.

Even after the termination of online services, you can still play games with single-player elements on your Wii U and 3DS. Additionally, you can continue to download previously purchased games and DLC from the eShop for the foreseeable future. Online services like Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter will remain operational.

The Wii U and Nintendo 3DS were integral parts of Nintendo's product line, serving as the bridge between the groundbreaking Wii and the successful hybrid console, the Nintendo Switch. The Wii U, known for its innovative GamePad controller, may not have reached the commercial success Nintendo hoped for, but it did produce several acclaimed titles such as "Super Mario 3D World" and "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild," which was also a launch title for the Switch. The Nintendo 3DS boasted a unique stereoscopic 3D feature without the need for special glasses and offered an extensive library of games, holding a significant place in the hearts of handheld gaming enthusiasts. The discontinuation of online services is a significant moment, symbolizing the transition of the gaming community towards newer platforms and technologies.