An era comes to a close today, as online play for games such as Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon is no longer available.
Nintendo is ending the time of the Wii U and 3DS. Today is the final opportunity to play games online on these systems. It’s making me think about getting the Wii U out to have one last go at the original Splatoon online.
The Wii U wasn’t the biggest hit for Nintendo, but I still cherish many wonderful moments with it.
It was the first console where I played games in a competitive way. As a person who wasn’t keen on the stress of gaming with people I didn’t know in titles like Halo or Call of Duty, the Wii U helped me overcome this.
It allowed me to dive into Mario Kart 8 with people globally, getting upset at my TV when a blue shell destroyed my lead. I didn’t have to stress over silencing my microphone as I swore.
Nor did I have to deal with insults from other gamers. Some might see the lack of communication in Nintendo’s online games as a negative, but back then, I valued it.
I also really enjoyed playing Splatoon and Super Smash Bros. online, even if the internet connection for the latter wasn’t the best.
The same applies to the Nintendo 3DS, where I went to other towns in Animal Crossing: New Leaf, played against others in Kid Icarus: Uprising, and fought in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.
It’s unfortunate that online features for both the Wii U and the 3DS are ending for good after over ten years. Nintendo shared the news of the shutdown last year and also shut down the online shops for both systems in March 2023.
Despite the closure, Nintendo has stated that functions like StreetPass, Pokémon Bank, and Poké Transporter will continue to work.
However, it is ending the Nintendo Badge Arcade and SpotPass services. The person who bought a brand-new Wii U last year is probably feeling let down.Yet, playing Wii U and 3DS games introduced me to online gaming before I moved on to titles like League of Legends, Team Fortress 2, Overwatch, and Halo Infinite.
However, none of these games matched the excitement of a last-second victory in Splatoon or knocking a rival off the track in Mario Kart 8. Thankfully, these games, among other favorites, continue on the Switch.
What we think?
Saying goodbye to Wii U and 3DS online play is sad. I loved racing in Mario Kart and battling in Splatoon. These games were my first fun online experiences, without the stress of talking to others.
It’s a big change, but I remember the good times. I’m glad games like Mario Kart continue on the Switch. It’s an end, but also a reminder of great gaming moments.
