View source for Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

[[File:Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection logo.png|thumb|200px|WFC logo]]
'''Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection''' (Japanese: '''{{tt|ニンテンドーＷｉ－Ｆｉコネクション|Nintendō Wi-Fi Konekushon}}''' ''Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection''), also known as '''Nintendo WFC''' for short, is a service run by [[Nintendo]] that allows free online play all over the world. It is used by [[Nintendo DS]], [[Nintendo 3DS]], and [[Wii]] games.

Nintendo announced to shut down the service on the Nintendo DS and Wii consoles on May 20th 2014<ref> [http://www.nintendo.com/whatsnew/detail/vyWpoM6CBIe6FjW8NIY7bvzOrgBURhzw| Nintend.com - Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service for Nintendo DS and Wii to end in May] </ref>

==Features==
===Friend Codes===
{{main|Friend Code}}
Every game that utilizes the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection requires players to use a unique 12-digit code known as a '''Friend Code'''. It is generated when the player logs onto it for the first time, and it is used to identify other players on online play.

===Buying games===
The Wii allows players to buy [[Wii|WiiWare]] and {{wp|Virtual Console}} games from the {{wp|Wii Shop Channel}}. Players must use {{wp|Nintendo Points}}, which are bought with real money.

The [[Nintendo DSi]], on the other hand, allows players to buy {{wp|List of DSiWare games and applications|DSiWare}} games on the DSi Shop for Nintendo Points as well.

The Nintendo 3DS also allows the Nintendo eShop, and "ambassadors", people who bought a 3DS before the price reduction, can get 20 games and a certificate for free.

==In the games==
[[File:Connecting to WFC.png|frame|Connecting to Wi-Fi in {{v2|Platinum}}]]
The first [[Pokémon games]] to utilize the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection were {{game|Diamond and Pearl|s}}, with {{v2|Platinum}} following soon after. 

===Features===
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection allows players to connect with the games of other players all over the world.

====Features in the [[core series]] games====
* The [[Global Terminal]] brings the most features to the core series, with the Global Trade Station and the ability to upload, view and download several types of data including full videos of battles. In {{2v|Diamond|Pearl}}, this facility is limited to the GTS.
* The [[Wi-Fi Club]], for private online activity with friends registered in the player's [[Pal Pad]]. In {{v2|Platinum}}, {{2v2|HeartGold|SoulSilver}}, players can partake in [[Battle Frontier (Generation IV)|Battle Frontier]] challenges, games from the Wi-Fi Plaza, and spin trades, among other activities.
* The [[Wi-Fi Plaza]] allows groups of up to 20 players to play three different games together online.
* Special [[key item]]s, such as the [[Secret Key (Generation IV)|Secret Key]] and [[Member Card]] can be downloaded to obtain additional Pokémon, items, features or areas. The exact dates in which these items are or were distributed may vary by region.
* Special Pokémon can be downloaded to trigger additional events and unlock certain Pokémon, items, features, areas, or aspects of the game's storyline. The exact dates in which these Pokémon are or were distributed may vary by region.

====Features in the Pokémon Ranger series====
* The [[Ranger Net]] in [[Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia]] and [[Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs]] allows players to download additional missions to their games to expand the storyline.

====Features in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series====
* In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness and Sky, players can send and receive requests for rescuing each other.

====Other features====
* Users can purchase and download additional software to their [[Nintendo DSi]], [[Nintendo 3DS]] or [[Wii]].
** One application that can be downloaded allows users to browse the Internet on their [[Nintendo DSi|DSi]], [[Nintendo 3DS|3DS]] or TV.
** On these systems, it is also possible to download an update to the console's {{wp|operating system}} to be able to use additional features, such as upload pictures taken on the [[Nintendo DSi]] Camera to {{wp|Facebook}}.
* On the [[Wii]], users can send messages to each other.

==Games compatible with Wi-Fi==
The following Pokémon games are compatible with the Wi-Fi Connection service.

===[[Nintendo DS]] titles===
*[[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions]]
*[[Pokémon Platinum Version]]
*[[Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions]]
*[[Pokémon Black and White Versions]]
*[[Pokémon Black and White Versions 2]]
*[[Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia]]
*[[Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs]]
*[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness]]
*[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky]]
*[[Pokémon Conquest]]
===[[Wii]] titles===
*[[Pokémon Battle Revolution]]
*[[Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]
*[[My Pokémon Ranch]]
*[[Pokémon Rumble]] 
*[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (WiiWare)]]

==External links==
*[http://www.nintendo.com/games/wifi Official site]
*{{wp|Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection|Article on Wikipedia}}

==Notes==
<references />

{{Communication}}<br>
{{Project Games notice|game mechanic}}

[[Category:Game mechanics]]
[[Category:Nintendo]]

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