Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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{{Infobox video game online service

| name = Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

| title = Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

| logo = Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection logo.svg

| logo_size = 250px

| logo_alt = =

| image =

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| caption = =

| developer = [[Nintendo]]

| type = =

| launched = {{start date and age|2005|11|14}}

| discontinued = {{end date and age|2014|5|20}}

| status = Defunct

|version release date =▼

|~~preview~~ version release date = =

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| platform = [[Wii]] [[Nintendo DS]] [[Nintendo DS Lite]] [[Nintendo DSi]] [[Nintendo DSi XL]] [[Wii U]] (Wii mode~~, formerly~~) [[Nintendo 3DS]] (DS ~~mode, formerly~~games)

~~|operating system =~~

| operating system = [[Wii system software]], [[Nintendo DSi system software|DSi system software]]

~~|members =~~

| members =

| website = {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404151330/https://www.nintendo.com/games/wifi|date=April 4, 2014|title=www.nintendowfc.com}}

}}

'''Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection'''{{efn|{{nihongo|ニンテンドーWi-Fiコネクション|Nintendō Wi-Fi Konekushon|lead=yes}}}} (sometimes shortened to '''Nintendo ~~WFC''', Wi-Fi, or '''~~WFC''') ~~is a~~was ~~defunct~~an online [[Multiplayer|multiplayer gaming]] service run by [[Nintendo]] tothat ~~provide~~formerly provided free online play in compatible [[Nintendo DS]] and [[Wii]] games. The service included the company's ''[[Wii Shop Channel]]'' and [[DSi Shop]] game download services. It also ran features for the [[Wii]] and Nintendo DS systems.

Games designed to take advantage of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection offered Internet play integrated into the game. When promoting this service, Nintendo emphasized the simplicity and speed of starting an online game. For example, in ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'', an online game was initiated by selecting the online multiplayer option from the main menu, then choosing whether to play with friends, or to play with other players (either in the local region or worldwide) at about the same skill level. After a selection was made, the game started searching for an available player.

On January 26, 2012, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ~~service~~ was succeeded by and absorbed into ~~'''~~the [[Nintendo Network]]~~'''~~. This new online system unified the 3DS and Wii U platforms and replaced Friend Codes, while providing paid downloadable content, an online community style multiplayer system, and personal accounts. Nintendo Network is fully supported on the [[Nintendo 3DS]] and on the [[Wii U]], whilst still continuing providing partial legacy support for both Wii and Nintendo DS under the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection brand. Specifically, the Wii U can boot to Wii mode and then access the Wii Message Board messages which have been recorded by the gameplay progress of compatible local games, but it cannot send Wii Message Board messages remotely between different machines.

On May 20, 2014~~, at 7:30 PM PT~~, Nintendo ~~ended~~shut ~~the~~down Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ~~service (WFC) for all games~~, except for Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection pay and play branded games, Nintendo DSi Shop and Wii Shop Channel services (which were terminated on March 31, 2017), and ~~Nintendo Wii Shop Channel services (ended on~~ January 30, 2019, respectively).

After the end of the service, there have been various fan-made services to restore online functionality to games that Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection supported that remain operational, most notably Wiimmfi.

==Launch==

On November 14, 2005, ~~the~~ Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection was deployed with the release of ''[[Mario Kart DS]]''. Having been developed under the direct supervision of ~~company~~ president [[Satoru Iwata]], Nintendo's Takao Ohara lamented that Nintendo's long history of online strategies had each quit due to unexpectedly insufficient userbases, but that ~~the~~Nintendo ~~Wi-Fi Connection~~WFC had in four months garnered 2.9 million connections from over one million unique users. To achieve the goal of a truly sustainable online userbase with the most-used network service in the world, Ohara described a new strategy for identifying and relieving four main barriers. The proposed four barriers are difficult setup procedures, the psychological barrier preventing newcomers from joining in games, the unpleasantness of receiving abuse from other players, and the cost barrier. The company's proposed online strategy at this point was called "simple, safe, free". Nintendo believed that the online platform's success directly propelled the commercial success of the entire Nintendo DS platform. ~~The~~ Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection then served as part of the basis of what would become the [[Wii]].<ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 28, 2006 |title=Wi-Fiコネクションについて講演『ウイイレ』など40タイトルが開発中 - ファミ通 (archived) |url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2006/03/25/103,1143298259,50588,0,0.html |access-date=April 23, 2017 |magazine=Famitsu |language=ja |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118211400/https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/2006/03/25/103,1143298259,50588,0,0.html |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>

==Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection architecture==

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*[[Friend Code]] System

*Individual ~~Mii~~Miis (up to 100 at a time)

*Friend List (up to 100 friends)

| colspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |

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*[[Check Mii Out Channel]] (Mii Contest Channel in PAL region)

*Friend List

*Cross ~~Platform~~connectivity with Nintendo DS/DSi/3DS

*[[PictoChat]] ([[Wireless LAN]] communication only)

*[[Facebook]] (direct photo upload)

*[[DS Download Play]]

* Wii cross connectivity

*Cross Platform with Wii

*[[PictoChat]] (Wireless LAN communication only)

*[[DS Download Play]]

* Wii cross connectivity

*Cross Platform with Wii

|- style="text-align: center;"

! Online Shop

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! Entertainment

*[[Netflix]] (North America and Europe only)

*[[Hulu Plus]] (United States only)

*[[YouTube|YouTube Channel]] (~~United~~North ~~States~~America and Europe only)

*[[LoveFilm|LOVEFiLM Channel]] (United Kingdom only)

*[[Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Video Channel]] (United States only)

*[[BBC iPlayer]] (United Kingdom only)

*[[#Television Friend Channel|Television Friend Channel]] (Japan only)

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*[[Opera (browser)|Opera]] based Internet Browser (w/ [[Adobe Flash Player|Flash]] video and audio support on Wii)

*Integrated Google/Yahoo search engine

| DS browser sold separately, not supported on DSi

~~| {{n/a}}~~

|- style="text-align: center;"

! [[Loyalty Program]]

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* ''[[Wii no Ma]]'' - ceased operations on April 30, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/nintendo-to-close-vod-site|work=Film Business Asia|title=Nintendo to close VoD site|author=Frater, Patrick|access-date=February 22, 2012|date=February 22, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305083758/http://www.filmbiz.asia/news/nintendo-to-close-vod-site|archive-date=March 5, 2012|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

* ''[[Wii Menu#Kirby TV Channel|Kirby TV Channel]]'' - ceased operations in October 2012.<ref>[https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2011/the_kirby_tv_channel_for_wii_is_back_49360.html The ''Kirby TV Channel'' for Wii is back! | 2012 | News]. Nintendo. Retrieved on August 23, 2013.</ref>

* As Nintendo terminated the [[WiiConnect24]] service worldwide on June 28, 2013,<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/tiQImp7Oi97LiEyVqwDqL-eDnX6u9qjk|title=Wii Network Service Partial Discontinuation - Nintendo Official Site|work=Nintendo.com|access-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref> the following Wii Channels ~~have been~~were consequently closed:

** ''[[Nintendo Channel]]''

** ''[[Forecast Channel]] ''

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** ''[[Everybody Votes Channel]]''

** ''Digicam Print Channel''

* ''Flipnote Studio'' was replaced by Flipnote Studio 3D on June 1, 2013, and its online services for both Flipnote Studio and Flipnote Studio 3D shutdown following the secession of Hatena Co. Ltd.
* The ''[[Pokémon Global Link]]'' for fifth generation Pokémon games - phased out between October 1, 2013, and January 14, 2014~~, inclusively~~.

==General features==

~~The~~ Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection was developed to be easy to connect to, safe for anyone to use, and free of charge. Games designed to take advantage of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection offered [[Multiplayer online|Internet play]] integrated into the game. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection supported up to sixteen players on the [[Nintendo DS]] and thirty-two players on the [[Wii]]. Basic features of the Wi-Fi Connection included worldwide matchmaking, leaderboards, tournaments. Additional features were available between friends who exchanged Friend Codes.

===Friend Codes===

Each game that used ~~the~~ Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection generated a unique twelve-digit Friend Code that could be exchanged with friends and be used to maintain individual friend lists in each game. Though certain games could be played online without a Friend Code, a Friend Code was required to play with a specific person. Friend Codes were generated from an identifier unique to a copy of a game and the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ID of a DS or Wii system. Using a different copy of a game or loading the same copy in a different system generated a new Friend Code.<ref name="friend codes">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/wfc/en_na/ds/gameSupportFriendCodes.jsp|title=| Nintendo - Customer Service | Nintendo Wi-Fi connection - Friend Codes|publisher=Nintendo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140308175403/http://www.nintendo.com/consumer/wfc/en_na/ds/gameSupportFriendCodes.jsp|archive-date=March 8, 2014|url-status=live|access-date=October 11, 2012}}</ref> If users wanted to become "Friends", they had to mutually add Friend Codes and be authenticated as Friends once both of them were online. Nintendo introduced these features as conscious steps to preserve users' privacy. If a DS or Wii game was sold, but not the system, there was no risk of the purchaser impersonating the seller. If a user needed to replace his or her DS system, then the old system's Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ID could be transferred wirelessly, in order to maintain the user's original Friend Codes on the new machine. Some games required that the user had to use Friend Codes to use any online functionality.

Many games have additional features that are enabled between registered friends. These may include customized matchmaking options, cooperative play, friend lists, text chat, and voice chat. [[List of Wii games using WiiConnect24|Certain Wii games]] use the 16-digit Wii Number to share some data passively between mutually registered users via [[WiiConnect24]] instead of using independent Friend Codes. Although, some of these games may use both the 16-digit Wii Number and its own 12-digit Friend Code, depending on whether the online connectivity requires either passive data-sharing or active multiplaying respectively.

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==System features==

While the DS's firmware predated ~~the~~ Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, the Wii and DSi featured more robust internet connectivity, in addition to [[Patch (computing)|software patches]].

===Pay & Play===

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===WiiConnect24===

WiiConnect24 is a defunct service that allowed the system to be connected to the Internet even when the console was in standby mode. Games and channels that utilized WiiConnect24 could send and receive data even while the game was not being played. Players who wished to send data to friends only needed to register each other's Wii System Code and not individual Friend Codes. Players could also send messages to their friends using WiiConnect24 from the Wii Message Board. It was shut down on June 28, 2013. When a message was received, the Wii's disc slot glowed blue~~. On June 28, 2013, WiiConnect24 was abruptly shut down~~. WiiConnect24 was succeeded by [[StreetPass and SpotPass#SpotPass|SpotPass]] on the [[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]] and [[Wii U]].

===BBC iPlayer===

On April 9, 2008, the [[BBC]] announced that its online [[BBC iPlayer]] would be available on the Wii via the [[Internet Channel]] browser. Some users experienced difficulties with the service.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/bbc-re-launches-iplayer-on-wii-to-fix-problems-650149|title=BBC re-launches iPlayer on Wii to fix problems|newspaper=TechRadar|access-date=October 24, 2016}}</ref> On November 18, 2009, [[BBC iPlayer]] on the Wii was relaunched as the BBC iPlayer Channel,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8357777.stm|title=BBC iPlayer launches Wii channel|publisher=BBC|access-date=December 26, 2009 | date=November 13, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2009/11/the_new_iplayer_on_the_nintend.html|title=The new iPlayer on the Nintendo Wii|publisher=BBC|access-date=December 26, 2009}}</ref> which is free to download from the [[Wii Shop Channel]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Can I access BBC iPlayer on my Nintendo Wii game system?|url=http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/playing_tv_progs/nintendo_Wii|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925064941/http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/help/playing_tv_progs/nintendo_Wii|archive-date=September 25, 2010|access-date=September 27, 2010|publisher=BBC}}</ref> The service was only available to users in the [[United Kingdom]]. On February 10, 2015, the BBC announced on their website that they had removed BBC iPlayer from the ''Wii Shop Channel'' and terminated the service on the Wii due to resource limitations and infrastructure changes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Why is BBC iPlayer no longer available on the Wii?|url=http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/tv/console/wii/nintendo_wii_closing|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006022719/http://iplayerhelp.external.bbc.co.uk/tv/console/wii/nintendo_wii_closing|archive-date=October 6, 2016|access-date=December 22, 2016|publisher=BBC}}</ref>

===''Wii Shop Channel''===

The ''Wii Shop Channel'' is a defunct online storefront that allowed users to download games and other software by redeeming [[Nintendo Points|Wii Points]], which could be obtained by purchasing Nintendo Points cards from retail outlets or directly through the ''Wii Shop Channel'' using a [[MasterCard]] or [[Visa Inc.|Visa]] [[debit card|debit]] or [[credit card]]. Users could browse in the ''[[Virtual Console]]'', ''[[WiiWare]]'', or [[Wii Menu|Wii Channels]] sections for downloads. A feature to purchase downloaded software as gifts for others became available worldwide on December 10, 2007. Additional channels that were not released at the console's launch were available for purchase in the Wii Shop Channel. These include the ''[[Internet Channel]]'', ''[[Everybody Votes Channel]]'', ''[[Check Mii Out Channel]]'', ''[[Nintendo Channel]]'', ''[[Netflix|Netflix Channel]]'', ''[[Hulu|Hulu Plus Channel]]'' and the Japan-only ''[[Television Friend Channel]]''. all downloadable channels were free of charge. Nintendo announced the purchase and redemption of [[Wii Points]] would be disabled on March 26, 2018, and then shut down the channel on January 30, 2019, similar to the DSi shop two years earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/9/29/16386918/wii-shop-channel-closing-nintendo|title=Wii Shop Channel closing down in 2019|first=Ashley|last=Oh|date=September 29, 2017|website=Polygon}}</ref>

===''Virtual Console'' ===

The~~''Virtual~~ ~~Console'' were downloadable channels that allowed users to play their downloaded ''~~Virtual Console~~'' games obtained from the [[Wii Shop Channel]]. The ''Virtual Console''~~ portion of the Wii Shop Channel specialized in older software originally designed and released for home entertainment platforms that are older, in order to make them more accessible on newer platforms. These games are played on the Wii through ~~the~~ [[Video game console emulator|emulation]] of ~~the~~ older hardware. this hardware included the [[Nintendo Entertainment System|NES/Famicom]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES/Super ~~NES~~Famicom]], [[Nintendo 64]], [[Sega Genesis|Sega Genesis/Mega Drive]], [[Master System|Sega Master System/Mark III]], [[Neo Geo (system)|Neo ~~geo~~Geo]], [[TurboGrafx-16|TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine]], [[~~commodore~~Commodore 64]], and some [[Arcade video game|arcade]] games, (referred to under the ''Virtual Console Arcade'' branding). The prices were generally the same in almost every region and are determined primarily by the software's original platform. the Wii version of this service was discontinued when the [[Wii Shop Channel~~|Wii shop channel~~]] was shut down on January 31, 2019.

===''WiiWare''===

~~Functioning~~The ~~similarly to the ''Virtual Console'' channels, ''WiiWares'' were downloadable channels that allowed users to purchase ''~~WiiWare'' ~~games~~section ~~obtained from~~of the [[Wii Shop Channel~~]]. The ''WiiWare'' section~~ specialized in downloadable software specifically designed for the Wii, and usually for lower budget games. The first ''WiiWare'' games were made available on March 25, 2008, in Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6187517.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;1|title=WiiWare launching in Japan March 25|work=GameSpot|access-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref> The ~~the ''~~WiiWare'' platform was launched in North America on May 12, 2008,<ref>{{cite news |title=UPDATE 1-Nintendo rolls out Wii fitness game product |date=February 20, 2008 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN2034720820080220 |access-date=February 21, 2008 | work=Reuters | first=Yinka | last=Adegoke}}</ref> and ~~launched~~ in Europe and Australia on May 20, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |author=Nintendo of Europe |title=Nintendo announces Q2 release schedule |date=April 24, 2008 |url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2008/nintendo_announces_q2_release_schedule_7920.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530115128/http://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2008/nintendo_announces_q2_release_schedule_7920.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 30, 2012 |access-date=April 24, 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/20/wiiware-launches-in-australia|title=WiiWare Launches in Australia|publisher=IGN|date=May 19, 2008}}</ref>

The ''WiiWare'' section was touted as a forum to provide developers with small budgets to release smaller-scale games without the investment and risk of creating a title to be sold at retail (somewhat similar to the [[Xbox Live Arcade]] and the [[PlayStation Store]]). While actual games have been planned to appear in this section since its inception, there had been no official word on when any would be appearing until June 27, 2007, when Nintendo made an official confirmation in a press release which revealed the first titles would surface sometime in 2008. According to Nintendo, "The remarkable motion controls will give birth to fresh takes on established genres, as well as original ideas that currently exist only in developers' minds."

Like Virtual Console games, ''WiiWare'' games were purchased using Wii Points. Nintendo handled all pricing options for the downloadable games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/lJUgYjCGf4pVbYMAU2qmwF3wp7DiOK5k|title=Nintendo's WiiWare Paves the Way for Fresh Games, Cool Consumer Experiences|date=June 27, 2007|publisher=Nintendo of America|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213232118/http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/lJUgYjCGf4pVbYMAU2qmwF3wp7DiOK5k|archive-date=December 13, 2007|url-status=live|access-date=December 15, 2009}}</ref>

===Nintendo DSi Shop===

The Nintendo DSi Shop is a defunct online storefront exclusive to the [[Nintendo DSi]] and [[Nintendo DSi XL]] systems, where people could download [[DSiWare]] games and applications. Nintendo announced that the Nintendo DSi Shop would be officially shut down on March 31, 2017, after it disabled the purchase of additional [[Nintendo Points|Nintendo DSi Points]] on September 30, 2016. The availability of ''DSiWare'' games and apps on the [[Nintendo eShop]] was discontinued with the eShop's closure on March ~~27th~~27, 2023.<ref name="NOA closes eShop on 3DS/Wii U">{{Cite web|title=Wii U & Nintendo 3DS eShop Discontinuation|url=https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/57847|website=Nintendo Customer Support|access-date=15 February 2022 |date=15 February 2022}}</ref>

===Flipnote Hatena===

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===''Forecast Channel''===

The ''Forecast Channel'' first became available on December 19, 2006, and was shut down on June 28, 2013, due to the discontinuation of [[WiiConnect24]] which it required. The ''Forecast Channel'' allowed weather reports and forecasts to be shown on the console from the Internet via the WiiConnect24 service. The ''Forecast Channel'' displayed a view of the Earth as a user-spinnable globe (courtesy of [[NASA]]), with which users could view weather in other regions. When fully zoomed out, an accurate star map was visible in the background. The [[Big Dipper]] and the [[constellation]] [[Orion (constellation)|Orion]] are easily recognizable, for example. The ''Forecast Channel'' features included the current forecast, the UV index, today's overall forecast, tomorrow's forecast, a 5-day forecast (only for the selected country you live in), and a laundry check (Japan only). Certain games like ''[[Madden NFL 07]]'', ''[[Nights: Journey of Dreams]]'', and ''[[Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Winter Games]]'' could use the ''Forecast Channel'' to simulate weather conditions depending on the player's region.<ref name="maddenweather">{{cite web|url=http://reviews.cnet.com/Madden_NFL_07_Wii/4524-9993_7-31861374.html|title=Madden NFL 07 (Wii)|publisher=[[CNET]]|date=November 19, 2006|access-date=February 14, 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524093132/http://reviews.cnet.com/Madden_NFL_07_Wii/4524-9993_7-31861374.html|archive-date=May 24, 2012}}</ref>

===''News Channel''===

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The ''News Channel'' became available in North America, Europe, and Australia on January 26, 2007.

Starting with the August 6, 2007, update, the ''News Channel'' shows a [[news ticker]] in the Wii Menu. However, not visiting the channel for a period of time will result in the ticker not appearing, until the channel is viewed. A December 20, 2007, update only released in PAL regions increased the number of news feeds to the channel, sourced from a larger number of news resources and agencies, providing more news that is available per country.<ref>[http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=32000 GoNintendo » Blog Archive » Wii News Channel updated- What are you waiting for?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715164155/http://gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=32000|date=July 15, 2009}}</ref> As with the Forecast Channel, the ''News Channel'' is not available in South Korea.<ref name=SK>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2008/04/14/wii-launches-in-south-korea-on-april-26-with-even-cheaper-virtual-console-games/|title=Wii launches in South Korea on April 26 with even cheaper Virtual Console games|work=Siliconera|date=April 14, 2008 |access-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref>

The ''News Channel'' was shut down on June 28, 2013, along with the Forecast Channel, due to both channels requiring the discontinued WiiConnect24 service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Wii/Wii-Channels/News-Channel/News-Channel-242177.html|title=News Channel|work=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|access-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref><ref name="~~gameinformer.com~~Game Informer">{{cite web|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/04/12/nintendo-discontinues-several-wii-channels.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130415102744/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/04/12/nintendo-discontinues-several-wii-channels.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 15, 2013|title=Nintendo Discontinues Several Online Wii Services|work=www.GameInformer.com|access-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref>

===''Everybody Votes Channel''===

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''Everybody Votes Channel'' was launched on February 13, 2007, and was available in the Wii Channels section of the Wii Shop Channel. The application allowed Wii owners to vote on various questions using their [[Mii]] as a registered voter. Additionally, voters could also make predictions for the choice that would be the most popular overall after their own vote had been cast. Each Mii's voting and prediction record was tracked and voters could also view how their opinions compared to others. Whether the Mii was correct in its predictions or not, it was displayed on a statistics page, along with a counter of how many times that Mii voted. Up to six Miis could be registered to vote on the console. The channel was free to download. Each player could make a suggestion for a poll a day.

''Everybody Votes Channel'' was shut down on June 28, 2013, as with the other channels.<ref name="~~gameinformer.com~~Game Informer"/>

===''LoveFilm Channel''===

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In the Contests section, players could submit their own Miis to compete in contests to best fit a certain description (e.g. [[Mario]] without his cap). After the time period for sending a Mii has expired, the user had the choice of voting for three Miis featured on the judging panel, with ten random Miis being shown at a time. Once the judging period is over, the results of the contest could be viewed. Their selection and/or submission's popularity in comparison to others was displayed, as well as the winning Mii and user.

The ''Check Mii Out Channel'' sent messages to the Wii Message Board concerning recent contests. Participants in certain contests could add their user and submitted Mii to a photo with a background related to the contest theme. This picture could then be sent to the Wii Message Board. The Check Mii Out Channel was shut down on June 28, 2013, as with Wiiconnect24.

===''Television Friend Channel''===

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===''Today and Tomorrow Channel''===

The ''Today and Tomorrow Channel''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2009/free_today_and_tomorrow_channel_launches_for_wii_14488.html|title=Free Today and Tomorrow Channel launches for Wii|work=Nintendo of Europe GmbH|access-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref> became available in Japan on December 2, 2008, and in Europe, Australia, and South Korea<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.co.kr/Wii/wiichannel/channel.php|title=Wii Channels|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|access-date=September 14, 2009|language=ja}}</ref> on September 9, 2009. The channel was developed in collaboration with Media Kobo and allowed users to view fortunes for up to six Miis across five categories: love, work, study, communications, and money. The channel also featured a compatibility test that compared two Miis, and it also gave out "lucky words" that had to be interpreted by the user. The channel used Mii birthdate data, but users had to input a birth year whenever they were loaded onto the channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconera.com/2008/12/02/hands-on-nintendos-fortune-telling-channel/|title=Hands On Nintendo's Fortune Telling Channel - Siliconera|work=Siliconera|date=December 2, 2008 |access-date=February 7, 2015}}</ref>

===''Wii Room Channel''===

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===''Nintendo Channel''===

The ''Nintendo Channel'' (known as the '''Everybody's Nintendo Channel''' in Japan), was a Channel for the Wii. It was launched in Japan on November 27, 2007,<ref name="EverybodysNintendo">{{cite web|title=DS demos on your Wii in Japan|publisher=Club Skill|date=November 27, 2007|url=http://www.clubskill.com/article/4710|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213205913/http://www.clubskill.com/article/4710|archive-date=December 13, 2007}}</ref> in North America on May 7, 2008,<ref>[http://www.nintendic.com/news/2293 Nintendic » Nintendo Channel dated for US, WiiWare integrated] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080425202732/http://www.nintendic.com/news/2293|date=April 25, 2008}}</ref> and in Europe and Australia on May 30, 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2008/nintendo_announces_q2_release_schedule_7920.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530115128/http://nintendo.co.uk/NOE/en_GB/news/2008/nintendo_announces_q2_release_schedule_7920.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 30, 2012 |title=Nintendo announces Q2 release schedule |publisher=[[Nintendo]] |date=April 24, 2008 |access-date=April 24, 2008 }}</ref> and was shut down on June 28, 2013. It allowed [[Wii]] users to watch videos such as interviews, trailers, commercials, and download [[Game demo|demos]] for the [[Nintendo DS]]. In this capacity, the channel worked in a similar way to the [[DS Download Station]]. The channel provided game info pages and users could rate games that they had played. A search feature was also available to assist users in finding new games to try or buy. The channel had the ability to take the user directly into the ''Wii Shop Channel'' for buying the wanted game immediately. The Nintendo Channel was updated with different Nintendo DS demos and new videos every week; the actual day of the week varied across different international regions.

An updated version of the Nintendo Channel was released in Japan on July 15, 2009,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/features/minnano_nintendo_ch/index.html|title=みんなのニンテンドーチャンネル - Wii|website=www.nintendo.co.jp}}</ref> North America on September 14, 2009, and in Europe on December 15, 2009. The update introduced a new interface and additional features, options, and statistics for users to view. However, the European version was missing some of these new additional features, such as options for choosing video quality. In addition, a weekly show known as ''Nintendo Week'' began airing exclusively on the North American edition of the channel, while another weekly show called ''Nintendo TV'', was available on the UK version of the channel.<ref>[http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=249788 News: ONM launches Nintendo TV]. ComputerAndVideoGames.com (June 7, 2010). Retrieved on August 23, 2013.</ref>

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There were over 100 [[Wii]] games, 25 [[WiiWare]] games, 93 [[Nintendo DS]] games, and 4 [[List of DSiWare games and applications|Nintendo DSiWare]] games available worldwide that supported Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

Since May 20, 2014, at 10:30 PM pm EST, it is no longer possible to download additional content for games, as the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service was discontinued on that date.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Support/Nintendo-DSi-XL-/Basic-setup-and-use/Termination-of-Nintendo-Wi-Fi-Connection/Titles-with-additional-downloadable-content/Titles-with-additional-downloadable-content-864190.html|title=Titles with additional downloadable content|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|access-date=May 15, 2014}}</ref>

==Connection options==

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===Wii===

The Wii has an 802.11b/g wireless adapter built-in. Due to flaws in its implementation, however, it is only capable of working when the 802.11 (legacy mode) basic rates of 1  Mbit/s and 2  Mbit/s are advertised by an access point. This means that 802.11b support must be offered on an access point for a Wii to be able to connect to it.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://nostringsattachedshow.com/2012/01/18/nintendo-vs-cisco/ | title=Nintendo vs. Cisco | publisher=The No Strings Attached Show | access-date=April 5, 2014}}</ref> It is compatible with [[Wired Equivalent Privacy|WEP]], [[Wi-Fi Protected Access|WPA]] with TKIP or CCMP, and [[IEEE 802.11i-2004|WPA2]] with CCMP. The Wii is also [[AOSS]] compatible as of the 3.0 system update. The connection settings allows players to configure access to and save settings for up to three different networks. Connection settings can be detected automatically or entered manually. The Wii does not have an Ethernet port built in, but can be connected via wired LAN with a USB Ethernet adapter available from Nintendo and third parties.

===Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector===

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==Official website==

When the service launched in 2005, Nintendo created the official Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection web site as a portal for ~~gamers~~users looking to access the service or whom were in need of troubleshooting assistance. The website had live statistics and data from the service's servers and recorded high scores and service status. It also allowed a user to link ~~his or her~~their Nintendo DS Wi-Fi Connection ID to a My Nintendo account. ~~As of~~

In November 2008, the site ~~has~~was ~~closed in North America and has now moved~~merged into a subsection of the Games section on the official Nintendo~~.com~~ website. On ~~May~~

In ~~20,~~preparation ~~2014,~~for the shutting of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ~~service was shut down~~, ~~and as a result~~ Nintendo ~~deleted~~removed the subsection on its website prior to May 20, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nintendo.com/games/wifi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140404151330/http://www.nintendo.com/games/wifi|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 4, 2014|title=Nintendo - Wayback Machine|work=[[Wayback Machine]]|date=May 16, 2014|access-date=February 9, 2017}}</ref>

==Termination and effects==

~~The~~ Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ~~service~~ was ~~terminated~~shut down on May 20, 2014~~, at 10:30 PM (EST)~~ for all [[Nintendo Wii|Wii]] and [[Nintendo DS|DS]] games~~, although some users were able to stay online for hours after the shutdown;<ref>Archived at [https://ghostarchive~~.org/varchive/youtube/20211205/MHRCnBc4QFs Ghostarchive]{{cbignore}} and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20190806160351/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHRCnBc4QFs&gl=US&hl=en Wayback Machine]{{cbignore}}: {{cite web| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHRCnBc4QFs| title = In the middle of a race, the servers of Nintendo WFC close (5/20/14) | website=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ~~online~~Online play features incorporated into these games are no longer available without homebrew. The shutdown iswas connected to the shutdown of multiplayer services by [[GameSpy]], who were acquired by [[Glu Mobile]] in 2012. 3DS and Wii U games ~~are~~were not affected by the shutdown because [[Nintendo Network|their multiplayer platform]] ~~uses~~used Nintendo's own infrastructure instead of a third-party service. The [[Wii Shop Channel]], third-party video services, and the Pay & Play ~~variants~~services have been shut down as of February 1, 2019.<ref name=ign-nintendoterminate>{{cite web|title=Nintendo Terminating Wi-fi Service For DS and Wii|date=February 27, 2014 |url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/02/27/nintendo-terminating-wi-fi-service-for-ds-and-wii|publisher=[[IGN]]|access-date=April 4, 2014}}</ref><ref name=ign-gamespyshutdown>{{cite web|title=GameSpy Multiplayer Shutting Down, Hundreds of Games at Risk|url=http://ca.ign.com/articles/2014/04/03/gamespy-multiplayer-shutting-down-hundreds-of-games-at-risk|work=IGN|date=April 3, 2014 |access-date=April 4, 2014}}</ref> ~~However,~~Users itcan isstill ~~possible~~continue to ~~still~~ redownload previously purchased content from the Wii Shop Channel~~. Users can still continue to redownload previously purchased content and/or buy~~ and use the Wii U Transfer Tool to transfer Wii data from ~~the~~a Wii to a [[Wii U]], and download ~~[[The~~the ~~Legend~~save ofdata ~~Zelda:~~update ~~Skyward~~channel ~~Sword|~~for ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword ~~Save Data Update Channel~~]]'' in order to patch the game.

The shutdown had an immediate effect on all Nintendo-published Wii and Nintendo DS titles. However, it may not necessarily apply to certain third-party titles, which could have separate servers running their own games' online functions. For example, [[Electronic Arts]] revealed that some of the games they published on the [[Wii]] and [[Nintendo DS]] had their online support terminated on June 30, 2014.<ref name=NL-EAterminate>{{cite web |title=EA Releases Lengthy List of Online Services to be Shut Down on DS and Wii |url=http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/05/ea_releases_lengthy_list_of_online_services_to_be_shut_down_on_ds_and_wii |first=Thomas |last=Whitehead |publisher=Nintendo Life |date= May 12, 2014|access-date=May 13, 2014}}</ref>

Some fanmade servers were made for modded Wii's and DS's via patching the games to the use of a custom [[Domain Name Server|DNS]] that redirects the game Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection addresses to the private server addresses.

A small selection of online-enabled Wii games, such as newer ''FIFA'' games and ''[[Dragon Quest X]]'', which are not branded under the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, may continue using their online functions normally. Starting in 2015, various [[List of Wii games on Wii U eShop|Wii]] and [[Nintendo DS]] games were digitally re-released, including those which formerly supported Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

After the shutdown, there have been various third-party fan revival services to restore online functionality to games that Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection supported that remain operational, most notably Wiimmfi.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wiimmfi.de/development|title=Wiimmfi Website|access-date=23 April 2024}}</ref><ref name="Alternative Wiimmfi">{{cite web|url=https://alternativeto.net/software/wiimmfi/about/|title=Wiimmfi A tool which brings back Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection|work=[[AlternativeTo]]|access-date=23 April 2024}}</ref><ref name="Mario Kart Wii Wiimmfi">{{cite news |title=Is the Mario Kart esports scene on the rise? Recent World Cup success argues it may be. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2020/08/13/is-mario-kart-esports-scene-rise-recent-world-cup-success-argues-it-may/ |newspaper=Washington Post |access-date=23 April 2024 |archive-date=7 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107155649/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/esports/2020/08/13/is-mario-kart-esports-scene-rise-recent-world-cup-success-argues-it-may/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Fan project Wiimmfi lets you play some games online following Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection shutdown">{{cite web |url=https://nintendoeverything.com/fan-project-wiimmfi-lets-you-play-some-games-online-following-nintendo-wi-fi-connection-shutdown/ |title=Fan project "Wiimmfi" lets you play some games online following Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection shutdown |format= |work=Nintendo Everything.com |date= 2014-05-14 |accessdate=2024-04-24}}</ref>

On June 27, 2013, Nintendo terminated the WiiConnect24 service features globally due to the release of the Wii U and the host, GameSpy shutting down its servers. Consequently, the Wii channels that required it, online data exchange via Wii Message Board, and passive online features for certain games using 16-digit Wii Friend Codes, have all been rendered unusable.

Wiimmfi is a free [[private server]] that replicates the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection's functionality. It has been available to the public since May 10, 2014 (10 days before the Nintendo WFC shutdown) and continues to be operational.<ref name= "Alternative Wiimmfi"></ref><ref name="Fan project Wiimmfi lets you play some games online following Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection shutdown"></ref> It started as a replacement server for ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]'', one of the most popular games played in the service, and the most popular title played on Wiimmfi.<ref name="Mario Kart Wii Wiimmfi"></ref>

The [[Wii U]] hardware itself does not support WiiConnect24, which is the cause for most preloaded and downloadable Wii channels to be unavailable on the Wii U's Wii Mode menu and [[Wii Shop Channel]] respectively, even prior to WiiConnect24's termination. Eventually, the defunct downloadable Wii channels were made unavailable on all versions of the Wii Shop Channel.

[[WiiConnect24]] is succeeded by [[SpotPass and StreetPass|SpotPass]], a different trademark name for similar content-pushing functions that the Nintendo Network service can perform for the newer Nintendo 3DS and Wii U consoles.

~~==Resurrection activities==~~

~~After the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection shutdown, there have been various fan-made attempts to restore online functionality to games the service supported.~~

A fan-made service called RiiConnect24 went live as a replacement for ''WiiConnect24''. RiiConnect24 offers online access to the Wii's Channels and online features in games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Purdy |first=Kevin |date=2023-08-25 |title=Trump’s mug shot was on the Wii News channel, thanks to RiiConnect24 devs |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2023/08/trumps-mug-shot-was-on-the-wii-news-channel-thanks-to-riiconnect24-devs/ |access-date=2023-11-19 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref>

~~<!-- Please find reliable secondary sources before adding this subsection back! ===Wiimmfi===~~

Wiimmfi is a free [[private server]] that replicates the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. It has been available to the public since May 10, 2014 (10 days before the WFC shutdown) and continues to be in operation as of 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wiimmfi.de/|title=Wiimmfi|access-date=April 28, 2023}}</ref> It started as a replacement server for [[Mario Kart Wii]], one of the most popular games played in the service, and now supports more than 500 games and almost all titles the Nintendo WFC supported.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wiimmfi.de/development|title=Wiimmfi|access-date=April 28, 2023}}</ref> It has maintained a steady player base, with ''Mario Kart Wii'' being the most played game in the service well over 15 years after its release. Together with RiiConnect24 it can effectively bring back all functionality the Nintendo WFC had. As of November 13, 2022, the service has been in operation for a longer time than the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. -->

==See also==

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==External links==

~~; Official sites~~

* [https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/wfc/indexDS.jsp Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Technical Support for Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite]

* [https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/wfc/en_na/customersupport/downloadUSB.jsp Latest USB Drivers and Software]

[[Category:Multiplayer video game services]]

[[Category:~~Online~~Nintendo ~~video game services~~DS]]

[[Category:Online video game networks]]

[[Category:Products and services discontinued in 2014]]

[[Category:Wi-Fi]]

[[Category:Wii]]

~~[[Category:Nintendo DS]]~~