Wii U News
News Nintendo Asks Wii U Owners To Refrain From Using "Unauthorised" Online Services
Update: Pretendo responds
Although you would think Nintendo's focus would be completely on the Switch "successor" right now, it seems the company's customer support line has found time to issue a notice about unauthorised services for older hardware. In a brief message on social media, the Japanese branch has apparently confirmed the existence of...
Reaction With Xenoblade Chronicles X On Switch, The Wii U's Demise Is Complete
Farewell, friend
Over the last several weeks, Nintendo fans have been absolutely itching for news on the upcoming Switch successor; news that, if today's announcement is anything to go by, likely won't be occurring until 2025. Alas, the blow has been significantly softened by the reveal that Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition will be making...
Guide Potential Switch Port Round-Up - The Wii U Games That Haven't Come To Switch
Update: One more down
Update [Mon 29th Oct, 2024]: Blimey, Nintendo went and dropped a huge announcement on a quiet Monday: Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition is coming to Switch in March 2025! Not only does this complete the set of Xenoblade games on Switch, but it also scratches one more off this 2022 list of Wii U games that haven't been...
Random New Zelda: OOT Speedrunning Route Requires A Wii U GamePad And A Rubber Band
But is it legal?
The world of Zelda: Ocarina of Time speedrunning is a wild one. The best of the best have Any% runs down to under four minutes these days, but there's still hope that it can be done faster. And so we reach the latest discovery, one that utilises a Wii U GamePad and a rubber band to shave three to four seconds off the current world...
News Nintendo Runs Out Of Replacement Parts For Wii U, Ends Repair Service In Japan
"We will no longer be accepting repairs for Wii U"
Last year in May, Nintendo's Japanese support service revealed it would be ending repairs for the Wii U when its current parts inventory ran out. Now, in an update just over a year later on its website, it's announced the service for this system (originally released in 2012) has officially ended...
Random The Last Pokémon Player On 3DS Online Shares Message Of Thanks
Player survived 28 days, 23 hours, and 30 minutes after shutdown
The last remaining player to play Pokémon X & Y via the Nintendo 3DS online servers has shared a message of thanks after surviving for 28 days, 23 hours, and 30 minutes after the official shutdown. Known only as 'Amanda', the player's message was relayed online by Joziken (one of...
Random Four Players Remain On The Nintendo Network Servers, One Month After Closure
Keeping the dream alive
Last month saw Nintendo finally shut down the online servers for the Wii U and 3DS' Nintendo Network. It was a sad day, for sure, but there have been a brave few who, in the month since, have kept the dream alive (thanks, GamesRadar). Yes, a certain group slipped through the cracks of Nintendo's shutdown and
Random 3DS & Wii U Players Beat 14-Year-Old Halo 2 Server Record
Online services were shut down last month
A group of Wii U and 3DS players have managed to stay online, despite servers being shut down, for over 25 days. And, in the process, they've managed to beat a 14-year-old record held by Halo 2 fans. GaffsNotLaffs (via GamesRadar) has been tracking users wh
Video This Controller Has A Screen, But Don't Expect A Wii U GamePad
Alex investigates
After seven years, we have seen Switch controllers of all shapes and sizes. LEDs, glow-in-the-dark, Hall Effect joysticks, the novelties go on. One feature that we were surprised to see on the recently revealed Manba One wireless controller, however, was a screen. Yes, a screen. On the controller. Could this be the Wii U 2.0?...
News Fan-Made Nintendo Network Replacement 'Pretendo' No Longer Requires Hacked Wii U
Just in time
Official online functionality for the Wii U and 3DS may be no more (as of today, 9th April), but unofficial Nintendo Network replacements are already out there. What's more, the fan-made server substitute Pretendo Network is now available even for those who don't want to hack their Wii U. In a blog post released today, the brains...
News 3DS And Wii U Users Say Goodbye To Online Play
"Goodnight"
It's a bit of a sad day in the world of Nintendo, with the company officially shutting down online play functionality for both the 3DS and Wii U systems. Fans have today united by jumping on the servers while they were still active and seeing out the final hours. Across social media, there have been a lot of people having some final...
News It's Over! Nintendo Shuts Down Online Servers For 3DS And Wii U
Thanks for the memories
Nintendo previously confirmed it would end "online play and other functionality" for the 3DS and Wii U in April 2024 and we've now reached the exact date of this shutdown, so this is it! The online services for both of these systems have been officially discontinued - marking the end of Nintendo's Network generation...
News Super Mario Maker Community Clears 'Trimming The Herbs' Just Days Before Wii U Online Shutdown
It's REALLY done now!
Remember how a special task force dubbed 'Team 0%' managed to clear every level in Super Mario Maker before Nintendo's Wii U online shutdown? Well, there was also one "illegitimate upload" titled 'Trimming the Herbs' which the community was determined to overcome. Now, with just days remaining, this level has officially been...
Guide When Does 3DS And Wii U Online Shut Down? Nintendo eShop & Online Play Closure Guide
End game
This is your final reminder that if you want to play your 3DS or Wii U online, you've only got until Monday when the online servers are taken offline for good. There's still time to enjoy some online play with the original Splatoon, then — just not long. Enjoy it while you can! Th
News Capcom Reminds Monster Hunter Fans About 3DS And Wii U Online Shut Down
"Important Nintendo information"
Next week marks the end of online play and other functionality for the 3DS and Wii U, and it's not just Nintendo issuing reminders. Japanese publisher and developer Capcom has now released a message about the shutdown and certain Monster Hunter games that will no longer be playable online. It will also no longer be...
News Splatoon's Final Wii U Stage Rotations Have Been Revealed
Before the servers shut down next week
We're in the endgame now. The online servers for Wii U and 3DS are set to be taken down next week on 8th April and so we enter a phase of 'lasts'. Players have managed to crack the last legitimate level in Super Mario Maker, the last battles will be takin
Reminder Nintendo Is Ending 3DS And Wii U Online Play Early Next Month
The official shutdown is almost here
In case you missed it, Nintendo is shutting down online play and other functionality for the 3DS and Wii U early next month. As we get closer to this deadline, Nintendo's Japanese social media accounts have been issuing regular PSA. The latest one was posted earlier this week, once again reminding everyone...
Random It's Done! Every Super Mario Maker Level Has Been Cleared Before Wii U's Online Shutdown
The last unbeaten course was actually an "illegitimate upload"
Earlier this week, we revealed how a trained task force dubbed 'Team 0%' was attempting to complete every community level in the original Super Mario Maker game before Nintendo shut down online functionality for the Wii U and 3DS on 8th April 2024. While it was struggling to knock over...
Random It's A Race Against The Clock To Complete Mario Maker's Last Unbeaten Level
Mamma mia!
We are now in the final run of Wii U and 3DS online play. Nintendo has confirmed that the consoles' online features and functionality will no longer work from 8th April 2024, and with that will come the end of a lot of game modes. One title that will see some pretty heavy cuts is Super Mario Maker. The end of online play means that all...
PSA You Have Until Next Week To Add "Unused" 3DS And Wii U Funds To Your Nintendo Account
The deadline is almost here
As we get closer to the official shutdown of online play and other functionality for the 3DS and Wii U next month, Nintendo has issued a reminder this week to merge your unused eShop balance while you still can. If you haven't already, now is the time to add these funds to your Nintendo Account, so they can then be used...
Random Donkey Kong: Tropical Freeze Could Have Been About Alien Invaders
Donkey Kong Country: Independence Day?
Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze is all about snow; that much should be obvious from the game's title, even for those who have yet to play Retro Studios' excellent platformer. According to a recent interview from KiwiTalkz in which he chats with former Retro artists Eric Kozlowsky and Ted Anderson,...
Anniversary Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze Is Now A Decade Old
Time for a new one?
Just in case you weren't feeling old today, it's now been a decade since Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze was released for the Wii U in Japan (13 February, 2014). Yes, the latest platformer in the Donkey Kong Country sub-series is now basically old enough to sneak a tenner out of Dad's wallet and laugh incessantly at toilet...
News It's Official, 3DS And Wii U Online Play Ends 8th April 2024
The end of an era
Now that we're in the new year, Nintendo has shared an update about the closure of online play and other functionality for the 3DS and Wii U, confirming these services will end on 8th April 2024. As part of this, it's shared a special message thanking customers for their continued support and also posting an update about how users...
News New 3DS And Wii U Users Can't Go Online In Games
Update: This particular issue has reportedly been resolved
Update [Wed 27th Dec, 2023 05:30 GMT]: Pretendo has provided a new update, confirming the issues occurring were "indeed unintentional". While not all issues have been resolved, it appears new users on both 3DS and Wii U can now connect to servers. "We noted in our last blog post that it...
Feature Why I Still Love My Wii U
Sticking up for Nintendo's much-maligned console
This feature is taken from The Console Chronicles, an upcoming book that we're working on in conjunction with Lost in Cult. If you like what you see, you can pre-order a copy using the link below. <products id="24929"> I began eighth grade in September 2014. After my first day of classes, I...
Random One "New" Wii U Was Apparently Sold In The US Last Month
Who said the system was dead?
There was reportedly one "new Wii U" sold in the US last month and it was the first time a new Wii U has been sold in this location since May 2022. This sales data comes from Circana (formerly The NPD Group) via industry analyst Mat Piscatella. What does it mean exactly? Not much, but it is admittedly a surprise that...
Random Super Mario Maker Players Want To 100% The Game While They Still Can
They have until April '24
With the news that the Wii U and 3DS online services will be shut down in 'early April' 2024, fans are undoubtedly dismayed at the idea of no longer being able to play certain games online. One such title is the original Super Mario Maker, which launched on the Wii U back in 2015 before a 3DS version followed in 2016. The...
News Zelda: Breath Of The Wild Tops Another 'Greatest Games' List
Based on the "past 30 years" of video game history
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild has already won a stack of awards and been praised as one of the best games of all time, and now it's topped another list. The publication Edge Magazine recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, and as part of this, it ran its biggest poll ever, where...
Random Following 3DS/Wii U Online Shutdown, Fans Look To Create More Public Servers
"We have begun discussing our development road map internally"
Pretendo Network, the fan-run group that has developed an open-source replacement for online servers for the Wii U and 3DS, is discussing plans to "accommodate" the shutdown. In a statement shared on social media, Pretendo Network said that it had been "made aware" of the company's...
Guide When Does 3DS And Wii U Online Shut Down? Nintendo Online Closure Guide
The hows and the whys
It seems only yesterday that Nintendo shut down the eShop functionality for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U, doesn't it? After stating that online functionality would remain for the "foreseeable future", the firm has confirmed that 3DS and Wii U online services will be discontinued in "early April 2024". So what does this mean for...
News 3DS And Wii U Online Play Ends In "Early April" 2024
Nintendo officially confirms
In news that's been a long time coming, Nintendo has announced it will be ending "online play and other functionality" that uses online communication for both the 3DS and Wii U as of "early April" 2024. Here's the official confirmation: Nintendo: "In early April 2024, online play and other functionality that uses...
Poll Do You Prefer Zelda: Wind Waker HD's Bloom Lighting Or The "Flat" OG?
Cel-sword
We know the game didn't look like this, but the box art for both versions cannot be ignored. And just like that, ten years have sailed by — The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD was released on the Wii U ten years ago today, and while we spend most of our days now pining for this incredible seafaring adventure to swim onto Switch, we...
Soapbox Rayman Legends Blew My Mind Then Broke My Heart
Prince of Persia fans beware - he may suffer Rayman’s fate yet!
Soapbox features enable our individual writers and contributors to voice their opinions on hot topics and random stuff they've been chewing over. Today, Francisco shares his love of Rayman Legends as it celebrates its 10th anniversary — but also laments that it may have been a...
News Nintendo Looks To Be Updating Its Smash Bros. amiibo Packaging
There's supposedly "no mention" of Switch
Nintendo's amiibo line might not be quite as busy as it once was, but there are still new figurines arriving on a regular basis. With this in mind, there are reports of updated packaging for Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. Ultimate amiibo series. A recent post from a Famiboards forum member shared some photos...
Guide Best First-Party Wii U Games
Nintendo's Wii U games, as ranked by you
Nintendo's Wii U might not have been the commercial hit many Nintendo fans — and Nintendo itself — hoped for, but it had a winning catalogue of first-party software, as evidenced by the fact that many of its games went on to find new life on Switch in 'Deluxe' and upgraded forms where they got the...
News Service For Dragon Quest X Online On Wii U And 3DS Will End Next Year
End of an era for the Japan-only release
Dragon Quest X Online might have never left Japan, but the game has come to a whole host of different platforms since its 2012 launch on Wii including the Wii U, 3DS, Switch and mobile. Service for the game ended on the original console a few years back and now Square Enix has announced that the Wii U and 3DS...
News After 5 Months, Mario Kart 8 And Splatoon Are Finally Going Back Online For Wii U
Titles underwent 'emergency maintenance'
Nintendo has announced that it will be resuming online play for Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon for the Wii U after commencing emergency maintenance back in March 2023. Both games will be back online from August 3rd, 2023. The titles were taken offline entirely after a potentially severe vulnerability was...
News Smash Bros. Ultimate GameCube Controller Getting Restocked (Japan)
Out next month
Nintendo controllers can be some of the hardest products to get your hands on, and new stock of certain pads seems to sell out time and time again. We've seen this with the Switch Online N64 controllers and limited-edition Joy-Con in recent times, but another one that's been out of reach for many is the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate...
News Nintendo "Currently Have No Specifics To Share" About Other Legacy Platforms For Switch Online
Sorry, GameCube fans
Nintendo's Switch Online service added Game Boy games in February this year, but there are obviously requests for even more platforms, so is there a chance of other legacy systems being added? According to the company's president Shuntaro Furukawa, Nintendo "currently have no specifics to share". He responded with this classic...
Random Sony's Upcoming 'Project Q' Is A Little More Wii U Than Switch
Lots of Qs, no As
Logging onto Twitter this morning after last night's PlayStation Showcase, you might expect to see trending topics from the likes of Sony, Spider-Man and Alan Wake. But what did we notice before any of these? 'Splatoon' and 'Wii U'. The former is in reference to
News Nintendo Japan To End Repairs For Wii U When Current Parts Inventory Runs Out
Get booked in soon
Nintendo's Japanese support service has announced that it will be ending repair support for the Wii U. When exactly? Well, that really depends on when its current parts inventory runs out. The announcement was made on the Japanese Nintendo Support Page, confirming that the period of holding repair parts for the Wii U has now...
Random Forget The Wii U, This Coder Got Mario Vs. Donkey Kong Running In A Web Browser
Original game was written in HTML and Javascript
Many of the Wii U's greatest games have long since been ported over to Switch. It's just something that we have all come to accept with the console — yes, it had some great games, but most of them are now playable elsewhere (often in a better condition). We expect to see these games playing today...
PSA 3DS And Wii U eShop Download Codes Can No Longer Be Redeemed
"Thank you for playing"
Last week, after ending 3DS and Wii U eShop sales, Nintendo announced it would be extending the period to redeem a code to make up for certain technical difficulties. The new date was extended until 4th April 2023 in Japan, and that means this extra time to redeem codes has now also ended here in the west. This marks the end...
News More Indie Developers Are Giving Away Free eShop Codes For Wii U & 3DS
Update: WayForward joins in on the fun
Update [Sat 1st Apr, 2023 03:05 BST]: Mighty Switch Force developer WayForward has joined in on the free giveaway fun sharing codes for Mighty Switch Force 2 on Wii U and 3DS throughout the day. It seems Shovel Knight developer Yacht Club Games was also giving out some codes earlier this week:
News Indie Developer Is Giving Away Free Download Codes For Its Last Wii U Game
Update 3: The final batch for Captain U
Update #3 [Sat 1st Apr, 2023 00:00 BST]: The final batch of codes is now available! Once again, thank you to TaraBates for keeping us in the loop with the developer's tweets. Update #2 [Thu 30th Mar, 2023 10:30 BST]: The second batch of codes is now live! Update: Well, it seems like we opened the...
News Nintendo Extends Code Redemption Deadline For Wii U & 3DS eShops
You've now got until April
The global shutdown of the 3DS and Wii U eShops was technically yesterday, but it seems Nintendo has thrown a lifeline out to anyone who still has any codes left to redeem on these digital storefronts. As highlighted by the company's official Japanese customer support account on Twitter, Nintendo has extended the period...
News The 3DS & Wii U eShops Have Officially Closed, Purchases "No Longer Possible"
You can still download your existing library, but that's about it
Today officially marks the end of the 3DS and Wii U eShops. While you'll still be able to download your existing purchases, you can no longer buy or redeem new games from these digital storefronts. Free content including demos are also off limits. Now that the digital shops have...
Guide 23 Best Wii U eShop Games You Should Get Before They're Gone Forever
Yes, Wii U had games that didn't get Switch ports!
The final countdown is over, unfortunately — the Wii U eShop closed for new purchases on Monday 27th March 2023. While many are rightly lamenting the upcoming death of the 3DS eShop, we feel like fewer gamers are pouring one out for the Wii U digital store. Maybe it's just us, but we can't let...
Random Twitch Streamer Aims To Beat Breath Of The Wild With Ocarina Controller
Making music
Ridiculous Zelda challenges are our favourite, and they don't come more fun, amusing, and dedicated than what gv_mimi is attempting. The Twitch streamer is aiming to beat The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild by using a custom-made ocarina controller. (Thanks, Polygon!) gv_mimi's most recent accomplishment in BOTW is taking down...
Video Everything To Do Before The 3DS And Wii U eShops Shut Down
The end is nigh
Are you starting to panic about the impending closure of the 3DS and Wii U eShops? Do you find yourself wondering which last-minute games to pick up, or even how to link your Nintendo accounts properly? Then worry not, dear readers, we're here for you. Our lovely video producer Zion has put together an extensive video that goes over...
