Nintendo Japan: Wii and DS internet multiplayer services will shut down, Video for 3DS too
Nintendo Japan is putting internet-connected services for some of its older consoles out to pasture, although it’s not clear when or if these plans could impact the US. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection that served the original Wii and DS units is scheduled to turn off internet multiplayer gaming and many other (but not all) services May 20th (English Nintendo Australia release here), while the free Video app that launched for the 3DS in 2011 will be unplugged at the end of March. Services that will keep working on the DS after May include the DSi Shop, DS Browser, DSi Browser, while the Wii keeps Hulu, Wii Shop Channel, Internet Channel, Delivery Channel and YouTube.
A similar notice has appeared on the Nintendo Australia site as well, and we’re checking with Nintendo America to find out if the shutdown is worldwide. Newer Nintendo Network games that arrived around the 3DS and local multiplayer apparently keep on chugging, but if you have a long-distance score to settle in Mario Kart DS, we’d suggest scheduling a match now.
Source: Nintendo Japan (1), (2), Nintendo Australia
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