It finally happened! After 209 days, as counted up to November 3, the last remaining user connected to Nintendo’s now-defunct Nintendo Network servers for the Wii U and 3DS, Fishguy6564, experienced a glitch that ended his nearly two-thirds-of-a-year marathon connection to the Mario Kart 7 servers. The dedicated gamer was finally disconnected when his 3DS crashed, signaling the end of an era, at least in the official capacity.
But all is not lost for those still holding fondly onto their 3DS and Wii U games. With some clever tweaks, like custom firmware, users can access Homebrew software, unlocking features like Pretendo. This platform allows players to connect to fan-run servers, keeping alive the functionality for some 3DS and Wii U games long after Nintendo’s official servers have gone quiet. Although the games available on Pretendo are limited, this initiative is a lifeline for preserving these modern classics.
Before his device gave up, Fishguy6564 had patched his Nintendo 3DS to automatically fill a lobby with bots. This clever setup was intended to circumvent the official shutdown and keep the game running indefinitely. In a conversation with GamesRadar during this remarkable stint, Fishguy6564 shared his surprise at outlasting the initial shutdown, saying, “I didn’t think we would even survive the official shutdown. From that point on, it had simply become a test to see how long we could keep this going.”
Although a technical ceiling has been reached, Pretendo servers offer a bright spot for nostalgic gamers. By using the original hardware with a few modifications, fans can still enjoy some of their most beloved titles. On the 3DS, Pretendo supports games such as Mario Kart 7, Kid Icarus: Uprising, and Mario Maker 3DS. For Wii U, there’s Mario Kart 8, Mario Maker, Splatoon, and Pokkén Tournament. Depending on the title, Pretendo can restore either basic online play or more intricate server functions.
Unfortunately, many exclusive eShop titles for the 3DS and Wii U are no longer accessible through legitimate channels unless previously installed. While none of these games are flagship titles, their unavailability is regrettable, effectively shelving them with the passage of time. This marks a significant setback in the digital gaming era, as the loss of official servers and game availability becomes permanent, leaving the task of game preservation to historians, modders, and pirates.
