Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection wasn’t the first time Nintendo had tried online play, but it was the service that took them from the starting line and into the online community. To the annoyance of many Wii and DS owners, the servers were shut down as of last Tuesday. Many of us at VGU have memories of using the service, but here are the top 5 five things that I will miss most from Nintendo’s entry into the online mainstream.
5) Any Game With Downloadable Content
It isn’t practical in a Top 5 article to name all the DS games that have been affected by the closure of the online servers, but many games have lost the ability to download free additional content, such as new missions and characters to extend the length of the game. For example, Professor Layton games had various puzzles that were unlocked by going online. An unknown fact about the DS games was that aside from the space reserved for save games, the downloadable content was already inside the cartridge. So with the right software or hardware tools, it is possible to retrieve the lost content. But to the average Joe, it is sadly a case of sayonara for the additional features that are possible by connecting to the Internet.
4) Animal Crossing Wild World and Lets Go To The City
Living with animals is, more often than not, a unique experience, and to be able to visit your friends in their towns was the logical next step for Nintendo’s anthropomorphic virtual life simulator. While your neighbours could come and go, you are able to help them plant their trees, fish for their missing marine creatures and post letters to the people who may send you a reply. Both the Wii and DS versions of the game offered slightly different experiences, but the charm and beauty of Animal Crossing means that whichever you chose, you were in for a treat.
3) Pokémon Diamond and Pearl
Trading Pokémon with friends had been a laborious task in the first three generations of the series, with only Fire Red and Leaf Green receiving a bonus in the form of the Wireless Adapter. With the arrival of Diamond and Pearl, it was now possible to trade Pokémon with people all over the world, without the need for a cable that equals the length of the Atlantic Ocean. You could also battle with fellow trainers, and complete in Pokémon Contests to show off the strength and agility of your trained monsters.
2) Super Smash Bros Brawl
Placing characters from different franchises in a grudge match has always been a popular way for game companies to come together to show off their best products. While PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale may not have been the success Sony wanted, Nintendo’s flagship crossover franchise has always ticked the boxes it needed for success. Brawl introduced online play to the series, as well as the ability to share custom made stages to the world.
1) Mario Kart DS and Wii
The one thing that makes Mario Kart so popular is that it is one of the few games that anyone can enjoy, regardless of their experience or skill level. With the addition of online play into the Wii and DS versions of the franchise, it was now possible to play with anyone in the world, and receive Ghost Data from the world’s best racers, so you could hone your skills by watching a professional in action. Both games also had a leaderboard, so you could see who were the best racers in your region, among your friends, or worldwide.
While it is sad to see the service be shut down, we should all remember the great times we have had, and focus on giving Nintendo a thriving online experience for the Wii U and 3DS. So it is with a heavy heart that we say adieu, but not farewell to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. wish Do you have a game that you feel loses some it’s magic without the online component? Let us know what you thing in the comments below.
