Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection logo.png
The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Logo.
Provider Nintendo
Launched November 14, 2005
Shutdown May 20, 2014
Service provided Online Wireless Communications
Accessible by Internet
Website Nintendo DS

Wii

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (Japanese: ニンテンドーWi-Fiコネクション Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection), also known as Nintendo WFC for short, was a service run by Nintendo that allowed free online play all over the world. It was used by Nintendo DS and Wii games. It was succeeded by Nintendo Network.

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection began on November 14, 2005 for DS and Wii games; however, the official service was shut down on May 20, 2014[1] due to the shutdown of GameSpy servers.[2][3] Despite the official service being shut down, workarounds exist through unofficial servers.

Features

Friend Codes

Main article: Friend Code

Every game that utilized the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection required players to use a unique 12-digit code known as a Friend Code. It was generated when the player logged onto it for the first time, and it was used to identify other players on online play.

Buying games

The Wii allows players to buy WiiWare and Virtual Console games from the Wii Shop Channel. Players have to use Nintendo Points, which are bought with real money.

The Nintendo DSi, on the other hand, allows players to buy DSiWare games on the DSi Shop for Nintendo Points as well.

In the games

 
Connecting to Wi-Fi in Platinum

The first Pokémon games to utilize the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection were Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, with Platinum following soon after.

Features

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

Features in the core series games

  • The Global Terminal brought 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 Diamond and Pearl Versions, 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 Platinum, HeartGold and SoulSilver, players could partake in Battle Frontier challenges, games from the Wi-Fi Plaza, and spin trades, among other activities.
  • The Wi-Fi Plaza allowed groups of up to 20 players to play three different games together online.
  • Special Key Items, such as the Secret Key and Member Card could 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 could 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

Features in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

  • In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Darkness, and Sky, players could send and receive requests for rescuing each other and receive Wonder Mail.

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 DSi, 3DS, or TV.
    • On these systems, it is also possible to download an update to the console's operating system to be able to use additional features, such as upload pictures taken on the Nintendo DSi Camera to Facebook.
  • On the Wii, users could send messages to each other.

Games compatible with Wi-Fi

The following Pokémon games were compatible with the Wi-Fi Connection service before the service was discontinued. Certain titles, like Pokémon Conquest, may have had their online connections turn obsolete long before the overall service was discontinued.

Nintendo DS titles

Wii titles

In other languages

Language Title
  French Connexion Wi-Fi Nintendo
  German Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
  Italian Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
  Korean 닌텐도 Wi-Fi 커넥션 Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
  Spanish Conexión Wi-Fi de Nintendo

External links

Notes


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.