Nintendo Announces Upcoming Closure of Online Services for 3DS and Wii U in April

Last year's announcements from Nintendo hinted at an eventual cessation of online support for the aging Nintendo 3DS and Wii U consoles, and the company has now confirmed the specific timing for these changes. The latest update from Nintendo, disseminated through an official website post and echoed through their Twitter account, marks April 8 as the day when online gaming, including cooperative play, internet rankings, and online data sharing for all games on these platforms, will come to an end—scheduled for 4 pm PDT on that day.

However, not everything is going offline; there will be two notable exceptions. The Pokemon Bank and Pokemon Transporter services, both vital for Pokemon enthusiasts wishing to transfer their beloved creatures across different game generations, will remain operational.

For users who have unused funds in their 3DS or Wii U Nintendo eShop accounts, a pressing deadline looms. Users have until March 11 to transfer these funds to a standard Nintendo account, ensuring the ability to spend them on the Switch eShop. Failing to do so by this deadline could result in the loss of these funds, so users are urged to act swiftly to secure their balances.

On a more positive note, local communications will continue as normal, allowing nearby gamers to indulge in communal experiences like Pokemon battles, and the convenience of the StreetPass feature will also persist.

The shutdown signifies a significant shift as several games, like Splatoon and Super Mario Maker, which rely heavily on online connectivity, will experience a major change in functionality after the April deadline. It marks a nostalgic conclusion to an iconic period in gaming history for these beloved Nintendo systems.

Switching gears to a more optimistic Nintendo-affiliated revelation, Ubisoft Montpellier has expressed interest in taking on a project that would see them develop a spinoff of the acclaimed Zelda series with a creative spark toward the "Adventure of Link." This statement emerged after a successful outing with their latest game, "Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown". While an intriguing prospect, it remains to be seen whether this proposed engagement with the Zelda franchise materializes, but the idea has surely captivated the imaginations of fans worldwide.