Nintendo is shutting down Nintendo Wii U and 3DS online play in early 2024, the company has today announced.

　　An exact date of ending online features will announced later on. "In early April 2024, online play and other functionality that uses online communication will end for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U software", Nintendo explains on its support website. "This also includes online co-operative play, internet rankings, and data distribution."

　　This applies to the entire 3DS and Wii U family of consoles, including the New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, New Nintendo 2DS XL, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS, Wii U Deluxe, and Wii U Basic.

　　Nintendo already shut down the eShop earlier this year, and online functionality for both platforms will now end in a few months. This means that 3DS (and 2DS) and Wii U owners will online be able to play their games offline. Games that will be the most affected include Splatoon, Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros., and Tekken and Pokken Tournament. As for 3DS online games, Mario Kart 7 and Monster Hunter Ultimate (as well as Generations) will be the titles most impacted by the ending of the service.

　　Nintendo notes 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 company also said, "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."

　　We'll update you as soon as Nintendo announces an actual date for the ending of online services on Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo Wii U. As with other Nintendo platforms, it will likely still be possible to play games online through the use of homebrew.