Nintendo Wii/DS internet multiplayer services will be shut down

[Dolce]

Pretty much all stated in the title.

Nintendo Japan is putting internet-connected services for some of its older consoles out to pasture, although it's unknown if these plans could impact the US (Update: They will).The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection that served original Wii and DS units is scheduled to turn off internet multiplayer gaming and many other (but not all) services May 20th, 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, and DSi Browser, while the Wii keeps Netflix, Hulu, Wii Shop Channel, Internet Channel, Pay & Play and YouTube. Newer Nintendo Network games that arrived around the 3DS and local multiplayer will also keep on chugging. If you have a long-distance score to settle in Mario Kart DS or Wii Speak conversation pending, we'd suggest trading friend codes (remember those?) now, while you still can.

Update: Nintendo America has confirmed, the Wi-Fi Connection service shutdown May 20th is worldwide.

Source.

This news doesn't really surprise me much at all, but at the same time while it's sad not many people play older games online anyways. At least from my knowledge. This definitely encourages me to finish up any business I have on older games though.

Thoughts?

 

[Tophat Dragoneye]

I find it a bit sad since there's a lot of good games available that requires Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Anyway, I found a full list of games over at the Australian Nintendo website that shows which games are going to be affected by this (at least those published by Nintendo).

Spoiler

Wii

Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City
Battalion Wars 2
Boom Street
Endless Ocean
Endless Ocean 2: Adventures of the Deep
Mario Kart Wii
Mario Sports Mix
Mario Strikers Charged Football
Pokémon Battle Revolution
Samurai Warriors 3
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
The Last Story
Trauma Center New Blood

Wii Ware

Dr. Mario & Germ Buster
Excitebike World Challenge
LONPOS
MaBoShi: The Three Shape Arcade
ThruSpace High Velocity 3D Puzzle
WarioWare: Do It Yourself-Showcase

Other

Wii Speak

Nintendo DS/DSi games



100 Classic Book Collection
Advance Wars: Dark Conflict
Animal Crossing: Wild World
Clubhouse Games
Custom Robo Arena
Diddy Kong Racing DS
Dragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry Skies
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon
Mario Kart DS
Mario vs. Donkey Kong 2: March of the Minis
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Mini-Land Mayhem!
Metroid Prime Hunters
Nintendo presents: Style Boutique
Picross DS
Pokémon Black Version
Pokémon Black Version 2
Pokémon Conquest
Pokémon Diamond
Pokémon HeartGold Version
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time
Pokémon Pearl
Pokémon Platinum Version
Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
Pokémon SoulSilver Version
Pokémon White Version
Pokémon White Version 2
Professor Layton and Pandora's Box
Professor Layton and the Curious Village
Professor Layton and the Last Specter
Professor Layton and the Lost Future
Star Fox Command
Tenchu: Dark Secret
TETRIS DS
The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass
WarioWare: Do It Yourself


Nintendo DSiWare games

Metal Torrent
Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again!
Sujin Taisen: Number Battle

 

[Shinobu]

Supposedly this may have something to do with Gamespy matchmaking being bought out by Glu Mobil. It's possible that Glu Mobil didn't want to continue supporting Wii and DS games.

 

[Vixi]

Nintendo likely wants to keep the resources reserved for current gen.

 

[Champloo]

Supposedly this may have something to do with Gamespy matchmaking being bought out by Glu Mobil. It's possible that Glu Mobil didn't want to continue supporting Wii and DS games.

Source?

Nintendo likely wants to keep the resources reserved for current gen.

I'd like to think this is more than likely the reason, among other things. Such as putting a stop to the numerous fake GTS servers out there. I also think increasing the sales of current consoles is a major part in this as Nintendo has been very adamant about turning the Wii U around. This definitely helps as people are now "forced" to upgrade. All in all good news in my eyes. Especially with Mario Kart 8 & Super Smash Bros around the corner.

 

[raychuu]

I can understand why they are doing this, but it's a big bummer if you would like to use older games for whatever reason (for example, their aesthetics) and have part of the gameplay taken from them - I mean, for lots of people the online trading was the only way to have a shot at getting a complete Pokédex, for example. Anyway, it's a logical choice, so while it sucks for a few it's probably for the benefit of many in the end.

 

[Tyler53841]

It would be even worse if local wireless required an Internet connection in the DS's settings just to use it. So even if Wi-Fi for those games is shut down bringing any 2 DS's together (can also be a 3D or 2DS) in close proximity can still allow for things like trade between Gen IV or Gen V games or Importing Pokemon from Gen IV to Gen V.

 

[Theorymon]

It's a shame that this is happening. While we may have sims for stuff like Pokémon, fun games like Mario Kart DS are going to be a lot harder to play with friends now