Did Wii U Shut Down?
The Nintendo Wii U, a console that debuted in 2012 and was discontinued in 2017, has had a peculiar fate. While it ceased production, its online capabilities will be taken down gradually. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of the Wii U’s shutdown and what you can expect.
Shutting Down Online Services
In early April 2024, Nintendo will retire online play and other services that rely on online communication for Wii U and 3DS software. These services include online co-op play, internet rankings, and data distribution. [1]
| Service | Shutdown Date |
|---|---|
| Wii U Online Play | Early April 2024 |
| 3DS Online Play | Same as Wii U |
| Other Online Services | Same as Wii U |
Does This Mean the Wii U is Discontinued?
While the Wii U hardware is no longer being manufactured, you can still obtain hard copies of games, and digital copies are available for download while the online stores remain open. According to Nintendo, "as long as the e-Shop is still open, you can still purchase games and DLC for the 3DS and Wii U." [2]
However, it’s essential to note that the eShop will eventually shut down for both consoles. For 3DS, this shutdown is expected to occur sometime in 2023.
What About the Successor, the Nintendo 3DS?
In 2020, Nintendo discontinued production of the Nintendo 2DS, New 2DS XL, and New Nintendo 2DS XL. The Wii U, on the other hand, was discontinued earlier, in 2017. [3]
What Replaced the DS?
The Nintendo 2DS was discontinued in favor of the Nintendo 2DS XL, which combines the features of the previous models with a more durable design. [4]