Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

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 Nintendo.com - Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service for Nintendo DS and Wii to end in May due to the shutdown of GameSpy servers. IGN - GameSpy Multiplayer Shutting Down, Hundreds of Games at RiskTechSpot - What Ever Happened to GameSpy? Despite the official service being shut down, workarounds exist through unofficial servers.
==Features==
===Friend Codes===
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 games from the . Players have to use , which are bought with real money.
The Nintendo DSi, on the other hand, allows players to buy games on the DSi Shop for Nintendo Points as well.
==In the games==
The first Pokémon games to utilize the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection were , with 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 , 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 , , players could partake in 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 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====
* The Ranger Net in Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia and Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs allowed players to download additional missions to their games to expand the storyline.
====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 to be able to use additional features, such as upload pictures taken on the Nintendo DSi Camera to .
* 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===
*Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Versions
*Pokémon Platinum Version
*Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver Versions
*Pokémon Black and White Versions
*Pokémon Black and White Versions 2
*Pokémon Ranger: Shadows of Almia
*Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
*Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness
*Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
*Pokémon Conquest
===Wii titles===
*Pokémon Battle Revolution
*Super Smash Bros. Brawl
*My Pokémon Ranch
*Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (WiiWare)
==In other languages==
==External links==
*Official site
*
==Notes==
Category:Service
Category:Defunct services
Category:Game mechanics
Category:Nintendo
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es:Conexión Wi-Fi de Nintendo
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ja:ニンテンドーWi-Fiコネクション
zh:任天堂Wi-Fi连接