Nintendo Gets Ready to Nix Online Play for Wii Console and DS Handheld
Nintendo said it's planning to disconnect its Wi-Fi Connection service for Wii consoles and DS handhelds on May 20, 2014. That means no more online play, matchmaking, or leaderboards for many Wii, Nintendo DS, and DSi games. In addition, users will no longer be able to share their own generated content, exchange in-game items, or download free add-on content or downloads such as new levels or in-game items.
"We at Nintendo sincerely thank our fans for their continued support of our company’s legacy systems. Your enthusiasm for games made for these systems speaks to their longevity, and the passion of Nintendo fans," the company said in a statement.
The announcement doesn't apply to more modern consoles -- specifically, online play for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games will not be affected by this, aside from the Wii mode on Wii U and Nintendo DS games on Nintendo 3DS family systems, Nintendo said. Other online functions, like access to the Wii Shop Channel, the Nintendo DSi Shop, and video on-demand services are not affected.
Nintendo's decision doesn't come as a complete shock. Going forward, Nintendo would rather focus its online efforts primarily for the Wii U, which is now going up against Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4 consoles.
"We at Nintendo sincerely thank our fans for their continued support of our company’s legacy systems. Your enthusiasm for games made for these systems speaks to their longevity, and the passion of Nintendo fans," the company said in a statement.
The announcement doesn't apply to more modern consoles -- specifically, online play for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS games will not be affected by this, aside from the Wii mode on Wii U and Nintendo DS games on Nintendo 3DS family systems, Nintendo said. Other online functions, like access to the Wii Shop Channel, the Nintendo DSi Shop, and video on-demand services are not affected.
Nintendo's decision doesn't come as a complete shock. Going forward, Nintendo would rather focus its online efforts primarily for the Wii U, which is now going up against Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4 consoles.
