Nintendo Wii and DS to lose online play support in May 2014

By Adam Rosenberg Published February 27, 2014

Nintendo is set to pull the plug for online play on its DS and Wii platforms, an update on the company’s website confirms. The switch gets flipped on May 20, bringing an end to online play, matchmaking, and leaderboards for “many” DS/DSi and Wii games. This extends to the Wii U’s backwards compatibility interface, which effectively swaps out the newer console’s operating system with a Wii main menu screen. You’ll still be able to buy new content via the Wii Shop Channel and DSi Shop, but that’s it.

The Wii U and 3DS won’t be affected (other than aforementioned backwards compatibility issues), though this should help keep the public’s focus locked on the newer platforms, which is something Nintendo hass struggled with on the Wii U side. The online shutdown isn’t really much of a surprise. The DS launched in 2004 and the Wii launched in 2006; 8-10 years is a good, healthy run of time for any gaming hardware. What’s more, those devices weren’t built at the start with an eye toward online play.

Recommended Videos

Head over to the source link for a full rundown of the games affected on each platform.

Former Gaming/Movies Editor

Previously, Adam worked in the games press as a freelance writer and critic for a range of outlets, including Digital Trends…

Topics

Gaming

Intel’s Arc G3 Extreme could be the plot twist handheld gaming needed

My time with the MSI Claw and Acer Predator Atlas suggests AMD finally has genuine competition.

Intel Arc G3 Extreme Hands On with Acer Predator Atlas 8

If there’s one gadget category I’ve spent an unhealthy amount of time obsessing over in the past few years, it’s handheld gaming PCs. I’ve put hundreds of hours into the Steam Deck, bought an original ROG Ally for myself, and most recently reviewed the ROG Xbox Ally X in depth. I’ve seen this market evolve from a cool experiment into something that can genuinely replace a gaming laptop for quick sessions on the couch or while travelling. I’ve also experienced its biggest weakness firsthand. No matter how good these machines get, there’s always some compromise lurking around the corner, whether it’s battery life, thermals, performance, or software quirks.

So when I landed at Computex 2026 and got the chance to spend time with Acer’s brand-new Predator Atlas 8 and MSI’s latest Claw 8 EX AI+, I was naturally excited. Not just because they looked cool, but because they represented something the handheld market desperately needed: real competition. Truth be told, Intel’s new Arc G3 Extreme processor might just be the most important handheld announcement we’ve seen in years. And honestly? It’s about time.

Gaming

Xbox’s next era may start with a painful question about console prices

A new Xbox Wire post points to surging parts costs, tighter supply, and more pressure on future console pricing.

Xbox is putting unusual pressure on its own console business, and a new Xbox Wire post gives players a clear reason to watch for an Xbox price hike.

Microsoft says storage and memory prices are climbing fast, while Xbox can’t currently make as many consoles as players want to buy. It also says the business needs a new hardware model and new partnerships as it remains committed to Helix.

Gaming

Steam is ending gift cards because scammers were raising too much hell

Digital gift cards will remain, but physical cards are being retired from stores

Steam gift cards.

Valve is pulling physical Steam gift cards from retail stores, bringing an end to a program that has been around since 2012. The company confirmed, as spotted via SteamDB, that it will no longer send new stock of Steam gift cards to retailers once current supplies run out.

Digital Steam gift cards are not going away. Valve says users will still be able to buy them directly through Steam, and existing physical cards can still be redeemed whenever users choose. Retail stock, however, is expected to disappear by the end of 2026.