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We knew it was coming, but that doesn\u2019t <\/a>. Nintendo shut down the online servers for both the Wii U and 3DS today. This means the end of online multiplayer gaming for both consoles, turning Mario Kart 7<\/em> for 3DS and the original Splatoon<\/em> for the Wii U into single player or couch co-op experiences. The first Super Mario Maker<\/em> is also effectively dead, as there\u2019s no way to browse for and download player-created levels.<\/p>\n Both consoles are relatively controversial. The 3DS was originally considered a <\/a>, though it eventually <\/a>. This was thanks to a glut of incredible titles, from Super Mario 3D Land<\/em> and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds<\/em> to more niche fare like Kid Icarus: Uprising<\/em> and Fire Emblem Awakening<\/em>. The portable console also had a robust lineup of online exclusive titles, like Pushmo<\/em> and BoxBoy!<\/em>.<\/p>\n The Wii U, on the other hand, never quite found a significant audience and is largely considered one of Nintendo\u2019s biggest missteps. It was the next home console after the culture-defining Wii, so it had large shoes to fill. However, the company went with a name that was an absolute nightmare for the Wii\u2019s core audience of casual gamers. Was it an accessory to the original Wii? A new console? A crappy iPad? Those of us glued to gaming media knew the answer, but the casuals never stood a chance.<\/p>\n There was also the console itself. The company never delivered a compelling use case for the \u201casymmetric gameplay\u201d offered by the device. Simply put, the Wii U gave you two screens. There was the TV, of course, but also a touchscreen tablet. This was supposed to lead to unique gameplay mechanics that gave the person holding the tablet a different task than those holding traditional controllers, but only a few titles truly explored this concept.<\/p>\n Just like the 3DS, however, the Wii U was buoyed by a robust selection of first-party classics. I found the first-party offerings of the Wii era to be mostly underwhelming, with desperate attempts to shoehorn in finicky and gimmicky waggle. I still get panicked when remembering just how horrible it felt to fly Link around in The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword<\/em>. The Wii U, on the other hand, brought Nintendo back to a novel concept called \u201cjust make good games.\u201d<\/p>\n The console brought us Mario Kart 8<\/em>, which is still the gold standard for digital kart racing, and the underrated Super Mario 3D World<\/em>. There was also Super Mario Maker<\/em>, a great Super Smash Bros. title, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze<\/em>, Pikmin 3<\/em> and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker<\/em>, among many others.<\/p>\n Even if you never owned a Wii U, you\u2019ve probably played some of these games. Nintendo knew the console itself was a flop, but the games were good. This led to numerous re-releases on the Switch. It\u2019s worth noting that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild<\/em> <\/a>. Also, it had Miiverse! Nintendo, for the love of Bowser, <\/a>. It was the only pure social network.<\/p>\n