Nintendo has, perhaps unsurprisingly, announced that many of the online features enjoyed by their Wii console and DS/DSi handheld gaming units will be going away later this year.

According to the announcement, as from 20 May this year “…certain online functionality, including online play, matchmaking and leaderboards for many Wii, Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi games” will be terminated, something that will be taking effect globally.

This doesn’t mean that everything will be going away with regards to the two ageing systems however. The Wii Shop channel and the Nintendo DSi Shop will be remaining in action, as will Nintendo’s video-on-demand services around the world.

The reason given for the shuttering of online services is quite understandable, Nintendo is looking to focus on upcoming games on their newer systems. Consider this a heads-up – If you still want to play some online games with the Wii, now would be the time to do it.

Source: Polygon