WiiConnect24

WiiConnect24
DeveloperNintendo
TypeOnline service
Launch dateNovember 19, 2006 (2006-11-19)
DiscontinuedJune 27, 2013 (2013-06-27)
Platform(s)Wii
Websitenintendo.com

WiiConnect24 was a feature of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for the Wii console. 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, WiiConnect24 service features were globally terminated. 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) have all been 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 respectively, even prior to WiiConnect24's termination. On the discontinuation date, the defunct downloadable Wii channels were removed from the Wii Shop Channel.

WiiConnect24 has been succeeded by SpotPass, a different trademark name for similar content-pushing functions that the Nintendo Network service can perform for the newer Nintendo 3DS and Wii U consoles.

In 2015 and 2020, fan-made services, called RiiConnect24 and WiiLink (which, as of 2023, are maintained by the same team)[4] respectively, were established as a replacement for WiiConnect24, aiming to bring back WiiConnect24 to those who have a homebrewed Wii console. As of today, the services offer online access to most of the channels using the functionality, as well as sending messages to other users in the Wii Message Board.[5]

  1. ^ Casamassina, Matt (2006-05-11). "E3 2006: Wii Wi-Fi Just Like DS". IGN. Archived from the original on May 21, 2006.
  2. ^ Wahlgren, Jon (2013-04-12). "Nintendo to Pull the Plug on Several Online Wii Channels". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2013-04-13.
  3. ^ "Discontinuation of WiiConnect24 Services | Wii & Wii mini | Nintendo Support". en-americas-support.nintendo.com. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  4. ^ @WiiLink24 (December 29, 2023). "Here's a long-awaited announcement from the team" (Tweet). Retrieved 2023-12-29 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ 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.