Latest Wii U System Update Hints At Miiverse Closure

Wii U system update 5.5.2 is now available from Nintendo, and on the outside looks like every other update. However, thanks to the work of data miners, it seems like this update could begin the shutdown of Miiverse for Wii U.

According to the official Nintendo site, the 5.5.2 update simply offers “ improvements to overall system stability” and “other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience.” However, a data miner on Twitter, claims to have found text saying Miiverse is shutting down.

According to Twitter user ShinyQuagsire, the updated text reads as follows: “The Miiverse service has ended. Miiverse and any software features that make use of Miiverse are now unavailable.”

It should be noted that this text has only been found in the 5.5.2 update. It hasn’t been implemented anywhere, and the Miiverse service is still up and running at the time of publication. That said, it seems likely that at some point this text will get used, not only shutting down Miiverse for specific games, but also Miiverse across the entire system.

Sadly, this is expected. Companies routinely shut down online services for games and consoles once they are no longer used. For example, it would be silly to support online capabilities for a number of Madden games, especially when the goal is to get gamers to buy the latest version of the game.

This doesn’t mean Miiverse will be gone entirely. The 3DS version of the service will likely live on until Nintendo decides to end support for it. Seeing as how the company routinely mentions that the 3DS family of consoles still have years left in them, hopefully this means Miiverse will continue right alongside the new game releases.

So what do you think? Are you sad to see Nintendo preparing for the eventual Miiverse shut down on the Wii U? Do you think a similar service will ever come to the Nintendo Switch? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.