Nintendo 3DS and Wii U will go offline in early 2024, will it be possible to re-download games?

The beginning of the end began with the closure of the Nintendo eShop for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS in April 2023. The Japanese company announced that it would no longer be possible to purchase software or download free content or trials. The second phase of this process will take place in early 2024, when Nintendo will cease online services on these platforms.

One of the questions many will ask is whether purchased games will still be available for download. Nintendo claims that they will, but does not guarantee that this will be the case forever. “For the foreseeable future, it will still be possible to download update data and redownload purchased software and downloadable content from Nintendo eShop.”

“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.” The company has confirmed that they will announce the exact date at a later date, although they have warned that depending on circumstances, the end of services could occur earlier than expected.

“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.”

What will continue to function and what will not?

After the shutdown, you will only be able to play offline. All online services will cease, although it is possible that Pokémon Bank will continue to function. What about other developers’ products? “With some exceptions” will also be shut down.

StreetPass on Nintendo 3DS does not require an online connection, so functionality will not be affected, unlike SpotPass, which will no longer be available.

All eyes are on the Nintendo Switch successor, which has yet to be officially announced, although data has been leaked.