Nintendo Network

Nintendo Network
Nintendo Network logo.png
The Nintendo Network Logo.
Provider Nintendo
Launched January 2012[1]
Shutdown April 2024[2]
Service provided Online Wireless Communications
Accessible by Internet
Website Digital Accounts | Wii U | Nintendo Support

Nintendo Network (Japanese: ニンテンドーネットワーク Nintendo Network) is a service run by Nintendo that allows users to be matched up with other players and play games with each other. It is used by games for both the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U. It is the successor to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service and was succeeded by Nintendo Switch Online. The service is slated to close in April 2024, though Pokémon Bank will remain functional for the foreseeable future.

Features

Friend Codes

Main article: Friend Code

The Nintendo 3DS family requires every user to have an online ID attached to a Friend Code. It is generated during set up of the 3DS and remains unless the 3DS is formatted. It is used to identify other players on online play along. This feature was also used for the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

In the games

Pokémon X and Y were the first Pokémon games to utilize the Nintendo Network.

Features

Features in the core series games

Features in the spin-off Pokémon games

  • Multiple spin-off games use Nintendo Network to access the Nintendo eShop or for other multiplayer features via the Internet.

Other features

Games compatible with the Nintendo Network

The following Pokémon games are compatible with the Nintendo Network service.

Nintendo 3DS titles

Wii U titles

Promotions

Players in the United Kingdom who created a Nintendo Network ID between December 10, 2013 and January 31, 2014 on their Nintendo 3DS received Super Mario Bros. Deluxe as a free download.[3]

Players who had a registered Nintendo Network ID got a 30 day free trial for Pokémon Bank from December 27, 2013 to January 31, 2014.

In other languages

Language Title
Chinese Cantonese Nintendo Network
Mandarin Nintendo Network
  French Nintendo Network
  German Nintendo Network
  Italian Nintendo Network
  Korean 닌텐도 네트워크 Nintendo Network
  Spanish Nintendo Network

References


Communications media
Gen I Game Link CableTransfer Pak3DS Wireless (VC)
Gen II  Game Link CableInfraredTransfer Pak
Mobile Game Boy Adapter3DS Wireless (VC)
Gen III Game Link CableWireless AdapterDual-slot mode
Gen IV DS WirelessWi-FiDual-slot modeInfrared
Gen V DS WirelessWi-FiInfrared
Gen VI 3DS WirelessNintendo NetworkInfraredStreetPassSpotPass
Gen VII 3DS Wireless/Switch WirelessNintendo Network
InfraredNintendo Switch OnlineBluetooth
Gen VIII Switch WirelessNintendo Switch Online
Gen IX Switch WirelessNintendo Switch Online


  This article is part of Project Mass Media, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on official Pokémon publishing, broadcasting, communications, and other media.