Can you believe it? It took 209 days, but as of November 3, the last gamer hanging onto the old Nintendo Network servers for the Wii U and 3DS has finally been logged out. Known by the username Fishguy6564, he had managed to keep his Nintendo 3DS connected to the Mario Kart 7 servers for nearly eight months straight until the device unexpectedly crashed, according to a report from GamesRadar. And just like that, the saga has come to a close—but not without leaving a lasting legacy.
There’s still a bit of hope for fans using these outdated systems, thanks to custom firmware, which opens the doors to Homebrew software and Pretendo. Pretendo is a fan-operated service that allows players to access replacement servers, reviving online functionality for certain 3DS and Wii U games that otherwise would remain offline. Although the list of games supported by Pretendo isn’t extensive, it still plays a crucial role in preserving these systems’ history and playability.
A poignant tweet, capturing the moment, reads: “It’s over. Rest in peace, Nintendo Network.”
Before the curtains came down on Fishguy6564’s adventure with the Nintendo 3DS, he had ingeniously kept a lobby filled with bots (and at one point, another user) actively running. This effort sustained the connection, dodging the inevitable shutdown—until it didn’t. During an interview with GamesRadar while his project was still running, he shared, “I didn’t think we would survive the official shutdown. It turned into a challenge to see just how long we could defy the odds.”
While this chapter has ended, the Pretendo servers offer a refuge for those with modded hardware eager to reconnect with nostalgic favorites. Gamers can enjoy classics like Mario Kart 7, Kid Icarus: Uprising, and Mario Maker 3DS on the Nintendo 3DS. Over on the Wii U, enthusiasts have access to titles such as Mario Kart 8, Mario Maker, Splatoon, and Pokkén Tournament. Pretendo is capable of bringing back basic online play and even some intricate server features depending on the game.
In a video that accompanies the article, viewers are reminded of the array of 3DS and Wii U eShop titles that should be purchased before the eshop closes its doors forever. It’s an emotional reminder of an era coming to an end.
Regrettably, many beloved exclusive titles from the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop can no longer be played legally unless previously installed. While they may not have been blockbuster hits, it’s disheartening to watch these games vanish over time. The real tragedy in an offline gaming world is the irreversible loss of official game servers and accessibility, leaving the job of game preservation to passionate historians, modders, and, at times, pirates.
