Everything we know about how Nintendo sunsets last-gen consoles

While a new Nintendo console might be looming on the horizon, that doesn’t mean people are done with the Nintendo Switch. The hybrid handheld console has an incredible library of games that includes indie classics and big name AAA titles alike. It has become one of the most popular Nintendo consoles ever created with more than 143.42 million units sold.

If you are one of those millions of people who have a Switch, you might be wondering how much time you have to enjoy full functionality of games that use online services like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, or Animal Crossing: New Horizons. While the future and logistics behind the rumored Switch 2 remain hazy, we can at least look to previous Nintendo practices to see what the company has done in the past and get an idea of how long people will have to enjoy their games on Switch.

Will my Nintendo Switch still be able to play games when the Switch 2 comes out?

In the past, Nintendo hasn’t stopped people from playing their games offline even when the company sunsets online functionality. You shouldn’t have to worry about continuing to enjoy your games locally. However, online services can still play a central role in enjoying Nintendo games. They can allow people to visit the islands of friends in Animal Crossing: New Horizons or players to race people around the world in Mario Kart. Even if you don’t play games online or pay for a Nintendo online subscription service, access to online functionality can still impact you because Nintendo also has sunset services like its eShop. Once those eShops were discontinued, users could no longer purchase or download new games onto their device.

How long will Nintendo support online services for the original Nintendo Switch?

For a guide, it’s helpful to look at previous consoles, like the Nintendo Wii U and the Nintendo 3DS family of handheld consoles. Nintendo released the 3DS stateside in spring of 2011; the company discontinued the 3DS’ eShop in 2023 and online services for its games in Spring 2024. For those handhelds, their game servers were online for roughly 13 years. As for the Wii U, it came out in 2012 and had its online and eShop services shuttered at the same time as the Nintendo 3DS consoles — so around 12 years for that console.

It’s important to note that this example includes devices from before the era of paid Nintendo online subscriptions like Nintendo Switch Online and Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Prior to this, Nintendo console owners didn’t have to pay to use online services, and so it’s unclear if the transition from the Switch to the rumored Switch 2 will be any different. Additionally, the sunsetting of services sometimes includes exceptions for certain game features.

While we can’t say how Nintendo will handle the transition to the next generation of consoles, the good news is that people will likely have plenty of years left to enjoy their Nintendo Switch and full functionality of online services for their favorite games. It’s always a sad day when people can no longer download new games, but that day won’t likely come for the original Nintendo Switch and its owners for many years.