It finally happened after a long wait—exactly 209 days, to be precise, as of November 3. Nintendo’s curtain came down on its old Nintendo Network servers for the Wii U and 3DS, as the last holdout, known online as Fishguy6564, was finally disconnected. His Nintendo 3DS gave up after nearly seven months of holding a constant connection to the Mario Kart 7 servers [h/t GamesRadar]. This marks the end of an era, but not entirely in all aspects.
For those clinging to their beloved but now unsupported hardware and game collections, there’s a silver lining. By using custom system firmware, players can access Homebrew software and Pretendo. Pretendo is a service that lets fans operate replacement Nintendo Network servers, essentially reviving multiplayer experiences for shuttered Nintendo 3DS and Wii U titles. The current list of Pretendo-compatible games might be limited, yet it’s a crucial effort in preserving the playability and history of these contemporary systems.
Reflecting on Fishguy6564’s journey before the crash, his 3DS was cleverly set up to fill up lobbies with bots, joining only one other solitary player at times, to bypass the official shutdown. He had expressed to GamesRadar during the incredible run, “I never imagined we’d continue past the official shutdown. It became a challenge to see how long we could sustain it.”
Despite reaching a natural endpoint, there is still hope for fans as Pretendo servers are live. Those with modified consoles can keep enjoying some of their cherished games. On the Nintendo 3DS, options include Mario Kart 7, Kid Icarus: Uprising, and Mario Maker 3DS. Meanwhile, Pretendo-enabled Wii U games feature Mario Kart 8, Mario Maker, Splatoon, and Pokkén Tournament. Pretendo aims to bring back basic online play and some more advanced server functionalities depending on the game.
Unfortunately, when it comes to the classic Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop exclusive titles, the scenario is bleak. These games are no longer accessible via legitimate methods unless previously downloaded. While these titles might not be blockbuster hits, it’s tragic to see them slip into obscurity. In this post-offline gaming age, we’re witnessing the harsh reality of losing official game servers, leaving the task of preservation to dedicated historians, modders, and, inevitably, pirates.
