Nintendo to Shut Down a Third Mobile Game [IGN]

“The Dragalia Lost main campaign is scheduled to reach its conclusion in July of 2022 with part two of chapter 26, the final and climactic addition to its long-running story,” the official announcement reads. “After the main campaign has concluded, service for the game itself will come to a close at a later date. Further details on the end-of-service schedule will be provided in a future notification.”

We’d like to share information about the future of Dragalia Lost. After the main campaign has ended, service for the game itself will end at a later date. Please see the message linked below for more details, and thank you for playing #DragaliaLost.https://t.co/6fZpHIP7Im

— Dragalia Lost (@DragaliaLostApp) March 22, 2022

Dragalia Lost was a new IP released specifically for mobile devices. It’s an action-RPG that takes place in the Kingdom of Alberia, where humans and dragons once coexisted. The game weaved elements of popular mobile games into its RPG systems, most notably featuring a gacha system. As of 2020, the game had generated $123 million in revenue, only trailing Fire Emblem Heroes and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp.

Nintendo entered the mobile space in 2016 with the launch of Miitomo; a gamified social media app featuring Nintendo’s Mii characters. Prominent Nintendo franchises eventually made the jump to mobile, including Super Mario, Fire Emblem, Animal Crossing, Mario Kart, and Pikmin.

Miitomo was the first mobile game Nintendo shut down, ending service in 2018. Then, in 2020, reports surfaced that Nintendo was stepping away from mobile games. Since then, Nintendo also shut down Dr. Mario World, a match-three spin on the Dr. Mario puzzle formula.

It seems the family-friendly side of Nintendo was uncomfortable with the microtransactions side of mobile gaming. A report said Nintendo was more interested in using the mobile space as advertising for its core console business, rather than a main source of cash flow.

In other Nintendo shutdown news, we recently learned the Wii U and 3DS eShops will close down in 2023. Before that happens, you can check out 100 Wii U and 3DS games worth buying before the storefronts close.

Logan Plant is a freelance writer for IGN. You can find him on Twitter @LoganJPlant.