Nintendo shuts down its online services and thousands are wondering what it means for them

NINTENDO is shutting down two of its biggest online services, and thousands of players are wondering what will become of their games.

With just hours left before online services are gone for good, there are a number of things people need to know about the upcoming closure.

Mario Maker 2 players will lose access to the user made levelsCredit: Denise Jans via Unsplash

Nintendo shut down the 3DS and Wii U stores last year, and users can no longer buy games from the store, but soon they will also be unable to play online.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 3DS and Wii U online closures so you can prepare for it.

When do the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U online services shut down?

The services shut down at the same time all around the globe, so the exact time that you will no longer be able to access them depends on your time zone.

After this time a number of online services will no longer be available for players.

Which 3DS and Wii U services are shutting down?

Almost everything that requires an internet connection on 3DS and Wii U will stop working after the time listed above.

This includes online play for the vast majority of games, though a very small selection of third-party games may still work.

Other services like Spotpass and 3DS’ Badge Arcade will also stop working.

You will no longer be able to download DLC for certain games that aren’t downloadable via the eShop like the Monster Hunter games.

Players of games like Mario Maker will no longer have access to user-made levels, and levels you wish to replay will need to be downloaded before the deadline.

Can you download 3DS and Wii U games after the deadline?

Any games that you purchased before the deadline can be downloaded following the services’ shutdown.

The only exception to this are the DLC packs – like Monster Hunter’s – which are purchased via the game rather than the store.

Nintendo says that this will be the case for the foreseeable future, and it remains the case for other online services that have shut down, like the Wii.

Players should not worry about downloading all of their games to their system before the deadline.

Will Pokémon Bank work after the shutdown?

The Pokémon Company has told players that the Pokémon Bank and Pokémon Transporter on 3DS will continue to work after the shutdown.

Bank used to be a paid service, but players can now transfer Pokémon from their 3DS at no cost provided that they downloaded the app before the eShop shut down last year.