Nintendo 3DS and Wii U online shutdown and homebrew FAQ

From Hacks Guide Wiki

This page answers frequently asked questions about the discontinuation of online services for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U in April 2024 and its relation to homebrew.

Read the official announcement on Nintendo Support.

Will homebrew let me continue to play online?

The official servers will be going down permanently for everyone, homebrew will not grant you access to them. Instead, an alternate network, Pretendo Network, is in development.

Can I use alternate networks without hacking?

No, homebrew is required to play on alternate networks.

Will the alternate network work on Tiramisu?

No, Pretendo has ended support for Tiramisu. You will need to use the Aroma environment to install it.

Can I still set up homebrew after the shutdown?

Yes, but certain exploits that depend on online services may not be available, such as Seedminer, which requires use of the Friend List.

What happens to the eShop?

Nintendo eShop is likely to stay available for downloading game updates and past purchases for a long time. Similarly, the Wii Shop Channel and DSi Shop are still online to download purchases many years later.

What about Pokémon Bank?

Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter will still work after the shutdown, but it is recommended to transfer to Pokémon HOME as early as possible, as it may not stay available for long[1].

References