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WiiConnect24
 | |
| Developer | Nintendo |
|---|---|
| Type | Online service |
| Launch date | November 19, 2006 |
| Discontinued | June 27, 2013 |
| Platform(s) | Wii |
| Website | nintendo |
WiiConnect24 is a discontinued feature of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for the Wii. It was first announced at Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in mid-2006 by Nintendo.[1] It enabled the user to remain connected to the Internet while the console was on standby. For example, in Animal Crossing: City Folk, a friend could send messages to another player without the recipient being present in the game at the same time as the sender.
On June 27, 2013, Nintendo shut down WiiConnect24. Consequently, the Wii channels that required it, online data exchange via Wii Message Board, and passive online features for certain games (the latter two of which made use of 16-digit Wii Friend Codes) were all rendered unusable.[2][3]
The Wii U does not officially support WiiConnect24, therefore most preloaded and downloadable Wii channels were unavailable on the Wii U's Wii Mode menu and Wii Shop Channel, even prior to WiiConnect24's shutdown. On the shutdown date, the defunct downloadable Wii channels were removed from the Wii Shop Channel.
WiiConnect24 was succeeded by SpotPass, a different trademark name for similar content-pushing functions that the Nintendo Network service could perform for the newer Nintendo 3DS and Wii U consoles. SpotPass shut down alongside the Nintendo Network on April 8, 2024.
In 2015 and 2020, fan-made services, called RiiConnect24 and WiiLink24 respectively, were established as a replacement for WiiConnect24, aiming to bring back WiiConnect24 to those who have a homebrewed Wii console. On December 29, 2023, RiiConnect24 and WiiLink24 combined to become one project and henceforth is simply known as WiiLink.[4] Currently, WiiLink offers access to most services using the functionality, as well as sending messages to other users in the Wii Message Board.[5]
- ^ Casamassina, Matt (2006-05-11). "E3 2006: Wii Wi-Fi Just Like DS". IGN. Archived from the original on May 21, 2006.
- ^ Wahlgren, Jon (2013-04-12). "Nintendo to Pull the Plug on Several Online Wii Channels". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2013-04-13.
- ^ "Discontinuation of WiiConnect24 Services | Wii & Wii mini | Nintendo Support". en-americas-support.nintendo.com. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
- ^ @WiiLink24 (2023-12-29). "Here's a long-awaited announcement from the team" (Tweet). Retrieved 2023-12-29 – via Twitter.
- ^ Purdy, Kevin (2023-08-25). "Trump's mug shot was on the Wii News channel, thanks to RiiConnect24 devs". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2023-12-29.
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