If you’re still using the old Wii console just to watch Netflix. Well, it’s time you should start looking for a new alternative as Netflix has officially confirmed that Nintendo will suspend Netflix and other streaming services on the Wii after January 31, 2019.
In addition, Nintendo also announced the shutdown of the Wii Shop channel indicating that the console won’t be of much use besides playing offline games starting next year. Nintendo emailed customers of the news pointing users to get other alternatives to continue watching Netflix, suggesting the streaming service might soon land on Nintendo Switch.
“We hope you’ll soon enjoy an even better Netflix experience with additional features on a supported device,” said Netflix.
The move is likely to disappoint Wii owners, as keeping online services up for the Wii would’ve fetched the company more brand loyalty. Wii owners were already disappointed when Nintendo decided to stop users from adding points to Wii Shop anymore. Put simply, moves like this are just a reminder of the issues we face with streaming services. Most of us have other systems like a PS4 or Wii U to use streaming services. However, the older lower middle class who got a Wii long ago and don’t want anything else are out of luck.
However, the news shouldn’t come as surprise as the Wii is nearly a 12 year old console and is approaching the end of its life cycle. If you don’t own a smartTV which has built-in streaming apps, you have the option to get a streaming device that’ll cost much less than what you paid for your Wii.
