Online play and other services being shut down on Wii and DS

Nintendo’s Wi-Fi Connect services will shortly be shut down.

This means a host of online services enjoyed by Wii and DS users will soon be unavailable including online multiplayer and leaderboards.

Affected titles will include the likes of Mario Kart, Smash Bros and Pokemon.

Other services due for the chop include all Internet, Browser and Shop channels across both machines, as well as YouTube access.

The UK, US and Japan are amongst the affected markets and will see services closed on May 20th.

Wii U and 3DS services will be unaffected, although any Wii games played via Wii U will not be able to go online.

Our focus now shifts to readying our Wii U and Nintendo 3DS matchmaking services for upcoming games such as Mario Kart 8 and Super Smash Bros,” the platform holder said in a statement to Kotaku.

We at Nintendo sincerely thank our fans for their continued support of our company’s legacy systems. Your enthusiasm for games made for these systems speaks to their longevity, and the passion of Nintendo fans.”