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Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

During IGN’s latest Nintendo Voice Chat podcast, former GameSpy Technology general manager Todd Northcutt was brought in to discuss some of the behind the scenes details about the service and the company’s relationship with Nintendo. For those unaware, GameSpy provided the back-end infrastructure for Wii/DS games.

We brought you just a few of these details on Friday. Now you can find a more comprehensive summary below.

On May 20th, GameSpy ceased all maintenance for multiplayer services that they previously hosted, marking the end of online support for Wii and DS titles and the end of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (WFC) era. Since its launch in November 2005, the little blue circle on the boxes of our beloved franchises have signified the ability to participate in matchmaking online and experience Nintendo’s first real take at online gaming. From Friend Codes to Nintendo branded Wi-Fi dongles, let’s take a look back at some of the best WFC had to offer in all its WEP encrypted, Wii Speak glory.

During the latest episode of IGN’s Nintendo Voice Chat podcast, former GameSpy Technology general manager Todd Northcutt revealed some interesting behind the scenes tidbits about the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. As many of you know, the big N partnered with GameSpy back in the day for Wii and DS titles incorporating online play.

Here’s a summary of what was shared:

– Not getting a copy of Monster Hunter from Capcom and having the game go live in Japan and kill server capacity while not having anyone that spoke Japanese on staff

– Not being able to patch games so Smash on Wii was broken and Gamespy had to fix it all server side

– Meeting with 2 separate Nintendo teams at once and having them go off for 10 mins arguing against each other cause one side wanted one friend code per user/system and messaging and invites and such and the other didn’t all in Japanese while Gamespy Tech sat there seeing it unfold

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The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is officially no more.

All services were terminated just a few minutes ago, meaning it’s no longer possible to play the various Wii and DS titles that took advantage of the functionality (at least through traditional means). DLC offered through the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is now unavailable as well.

It was nice while it lasted!

In just a few days, the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service will be discontinued. This affects a whole slew of games – see a listing of first-party releases here.

Even though the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is reaching its end, fans have put together an alternative method of playing some titles online. The “Wiimmfi” essentially patches the server addresses in the game to play on custom servers once May 20th has passed.

There’s lots more information about the project here.

With the shutdown of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in May, games that previously carried the WFC logo appear to be getting a reprint. This will remove any indication of the once available functionality as well as a modified ESRB rating logo to reflect the lack of online.

 

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There are a number of Wii and DS games that offer free downloadable content. For instance, players can download a bunch of additional puzzles for Picross 3D and Professor Layton at no extra costs.

If this DLC interests you, you’ll need to grab it before the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection closes on May 20. While paid DLC will still be accessible, free content will be good for good.

A Nintendo representative told NintendoWorldReport:

“The bonus Layton puzzles and such will no longer be available. So you need to get them before the service shuts down. Paid stuff will still be available, though (Wii Shop Channel, etc.).”

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Nintendo of America Developer Support staffer Akinwale Lakeru has clarified a few points about the upcoming Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection shutdown.

As was previously known, online multiplayer is one of the bigger elements that will be affected. This pertains to titles produced by Nintendo as well as games from third-parties. Also note that DLC can still be downloaded.


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Polygon has obtained an official statement from Nintendo regarding the company’s recent announcement to shut down the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in May. You can find it in full below.

Just after Nintendo made its Japanese announcement that the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection will be shutting down in May, its Australian subsidiary followed with the same news.

The closure means that online play, matchmaking, and leaderboards will be unavailable, as well as other features. However, the Wii/DS shops, Internet browsers, YouTube, and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Pay & Play will remain in tact.

Nintendo has also provided a listing of all Nintendo-published games that will be affected by the Wi-Fi Connection’s closure. They are as follows:


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