Finally, after 209 days from the start of this incredible journey, the last holdout from Nintendo’s now inactive Nintendo Network servers for the Wii U and 3DS has been logged off. As of November 3, Fishguy6564 faced the inevitable when his Nintendo 3DS crashed, ending his nearly seven-month-long stint on the Mario Kart 7 servers [h/t GamesRadar]. Though the journey has concluded, it hasn’t ended in every possible way.
For gamers who still cherish these platforms, there’s hope. By utilizing custom system firmware, users gain access to a treasure trove of Homebrew software and services like Pretendo. Pretendo steps up to fill the gap left by the official servers, offering fan-operated replacements for the Nintendo Network, rekindling playability for those beloved Nintendo 3DS and Wii U games. Although the roster of Pretendo-supported games is somewhat modest, it plays a crucial role in preserving the legacy and enjoyment of these relatively current consoles.
Before this unexpected shutdown at the hands of Mario Kart 7, Fishguy6564 had managed to keep his system running by using a bot-laden lobby. This setup, which initially included one other participant, allowed the servers to remain active despite the official shutdown. In a conversation with GamesRadar earlier during this remarkable undertaking, he noted, “I never imagined we could outlast the official closure. From that moment, it became more of a challenge to see how long we could really maintain this.”
Eventually, a threshold was inevitably hit. Thankfully, Pretendo servers remain available, offering mods for original hardware so that fans can continue enjoying some of their favorite titles. On the Nintendo 3DS, Pretendo-supported games include fan-favorites like Mario Kart 7, Kid Icarus: Uprising, and Mario Maker 3DS. Meanwhile, Wii U enthusiasts can dive back into titles such as Mario Kart 8, Mario Maker, Splatoon, and Pokkén Tournament. With Pretendo, players can experience anything from basic online interactions to more intricate server capabilities, depending on the game.
Regrettably, a notable number of iconic eShop-exclusive titles for both Nintendo 3DS and Wii U have become inaccessible through conventional means unless pre-installed. Although these games weren’t top system sellers, their virtual disappearance is a loss of historical significance. This scenario highlights a significant drawback of the post-online gaming world—once-official game servers and accessibility are vanishing, leaving the task of game preservation to historians, dedicated modders, and, unfortunately, those who venture into piracy.
