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| Developer | Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Launch date | November 14, 2005 |
| Discontinued | May 20, 2014 |
| Platform(s) | Wii Nintendo DS Nintendo DS Lite Nintendo DSi Nintendo DSi XL Wii U (Wii mode) Nintendo 3DS (DS games) |
| Operating system(s) | Wii system software, DSi system software |
| Status | Defunct, revived unofficially. |
| Website | www.nintendowfc.com at the Wayback Machine (archived April 4, 2014) |
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection[a] (sometimes shortened to Nintendo WFC) was an online multiplayer gaming service run by Nintendo that 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 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.
On May 20, 2014, Nintendo shut down Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, 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 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.
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