Nintendo has announced that it will be shutting down the online services for its 3DS and Wii U software in early April 2024. This shutdown will affect multiplayer gameplay, online rankings, data distribution, and other connected features. While no specific date has been provided, Nintendo has mentioned that the services may be discontinued earlier than planned if any difficulties arise. However, StreetPass links between 3DS family systems will still be functional even after the servers go offline. This shutdown comes over ten years after the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Service was ended, which marked the conclusion of online services for Nintendo’s Wii and DS titles in 2014.
The closure of the online services will also bring an end to the popular game, Nintendo Badge Arcade, which allowed players to decorate their 3DS home menus with stickers obtained through a virtual crane arm. After the shutdown, data for virtual badges will only be stored on users’ SD cards, potentially leading to loss if not properly backed up. This announcement raises questions about the future of Nintendo’s other online services. In the past, the company’s CEO, Shuntaro Furukawa, emphasized the importance of the current Nintendo Account system for a seamless transition to new hardware generations after the Switch. He highlighted the challenges of rebuilding customer relationships with each new network launch.
Despite a slow start, the 3DS went on to sell over 75 million units, with strong sales even after the launch of the Switch before being discontinued in 2020. As Nintendo prepares for the future, it remains to be seen how these service shutdowns will impact their online offerings and the overall gaming experience for players.
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