The Wii U and 3DS will soon see their online functionality no longer available in a server-side update next year for the systems. In April 2024, Nintendo will be ending functionality that allows players to play the Wii U and 3DS online with other players. This includes access to data distributions (not game or update downloads), internet rankings, and SpotPass will cease to function.

No exact date has yet been specified, but the time frame given is "early April". On the positive side of things, not that it's a shining star or anything, downloads of previously purchased digital titles for both consoles will remain available, as will game updates if your games haven't yet been updated to their final patches. Offline communication will also remain available, so if you're still carrying around your 3DS, you will still be able to find new players via the StreetPass feature and play with those Miis in the game.

We are expecting game downloads will continue to be available for some time due to the Wii shop being gone since 2019 but downloads remain available to do this day. It's an unfortunate time with digital offerings from companies going offline and making some titles a fragment of what they once were.

In Comes Pretendo

Luckily, archivists don't want to see these games no longer playable which is why we're interested in what Pretendo has started. The open source software's goal is to recreate the online services to exist when the Nintendo Network does not. It looks like they're going to have a lot of reverse engineering on their plate with there only being around 6 months left of the 3DS and Wii U network being available for sniffing.


The current status of Pretendo's communication engineering efforts.

Pretendo is currently not in a state that is ready for public use. However, once it is you will be able to use Pretendo simply by running their homebrew patcher on your console of choice. We wish them luck in preserving game history!

Official Announcement

Read on for all the details announced by Nintendo.

Quote From Nintendo

Thank you very much for supporting our products.

In early April 2024, online play and other functionality that uses online communication will end for Nintendo 3DS* and Wii U software. This also includes online co-operative play, internet rankings, and data distribution.

You can find more information about badges for decorating the Nintendo 3DS HOME Menu using Nintendo Badge Arcade here.

We will announce a specific end date and time at a later date.

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.

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.

* This includes software exclusive to New Nintendo 3DS.

Will I still be able to play offline even after online services end?

Yes. Players will still be able to use features and game modes that do not require online communication.

Will any online services still be available even after online services generally end?

It will still be possible to use online services for the following software but that may also end at some point in the future.

  • Pokémon Bank
Are you also ending online services for software from publishers other than Nintendo?

With some exceptions, online services will end for all Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software. Please contact publishers for information about the online services for their software.

Will it still be possible to download update data or purchased software?

For the foreseeable future, it will still be possible to download update data and redownload purchased software and downloadable content from Nintendo eShop.

When online services end, will StreetPass and SpotPass no longer be available either?

StreetPass uses local communication between Nintendo 3DS family systems, meaning that it will still be available even after online services end. However, because SpotPass uses online communication, SpotPass features will no longer be available.

For example, you will be able to use StreetPass in StreetPass Mii Plaza, which is pre-installed on Nintendo 3DS family systems, but you will no longer be able to use features that use online communication (such as receiving new panels in Puzzle Swap).