Wiimmfi
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Type of site | Online multiplayer gaming service |
|---|---|
| Available in | Multilingual |
| Created by | Wiimm and Leseratte |
| URL | https://wiimmfi.de |
| Commercial | No |
| Registration | Optional |
| Launched | May 10, 2014 |
| Current status | Active |
Wiimmfi is an online service designed to replace the defunct Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection,[1] which was officially discontinued by Nintendo on May 20, 2014.[2]
The service allows players to continue using online features for Nintendo DS and Wii games via alternative servers. Notable titles like Mario Kart Wii, Super Smash Bros. Brawl, and others can still be played online thanks to Wiimmfi.[3][4]
History
[edit]Nintendo discontinued its Wi-Fi Connection service for DS and Wii on May 20, 2014, following the announcement by Glu Mobile—owner of GameSpy Technologies—to shut down GameSpy's multiplayer servers by May 31, 2014. Nintendo, which used GameSpy to host its multiplayer infrastructure, opted not to transition to a new platform, citing the obsolescence of affected consoles and games.[5][6]
In 2012, Wiimm, a Mario Kart Wii enthusiast from Dortmund, Germany, began analyzing the game's network traffic. He created a tool named mkw-ana to study its protocol and prepare for potential service shutdown. This laid the foundation for a replacement server infrastructure.
When Nintendo announced its shutdown in 2014, Wiimm and Leseratte launched a project initially called the Wii-Server-Project, later renamed Wiimmfi-Projekt. By leveraging existing tools and collected data, the team released a functioning alternative by May 2014.
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Over time, Wiimmfi expanded support to numerous games and built a strong community that continues to sustain online play for Wii and DS titles.[7]
Implementation
[edit]Wiimmfi's initial development was in PHP to enable quick deployment. Later, it was rewritten in C and C++ to improve performance and stability.[8]
Features
[edit]Wiimmfi enables players to connect to online servers for multiplayer gaming in titles originally supported by Nintendo's service.[9]
Key features include:
- Support for over 300 games across Wii and DS platforms.[10]
- Online leaderboards and detailed statistics for many titles.
- Regular community events.
Game Support
[edit]Among the supported titles:
- Mario Kart Wii
- Super Smash Bros. Brawl
- Animal Crossing: Let's Go to the City
- Pokémon Battle Revolution
- Inazuma Eleven GO Strikers 2013
Wiimmfi is also compatible with Dolphin, an open-source emulator for Wii and GameCube. To connect via Dolphin, a NAND backup from a real Wii or Wii U is required.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ Brian (2014-05-15). "Fan project "Wiimmfi" lets you play some games online following Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection shutdown". Nintendo Everything. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
- ^ "Chiusura del servizio Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection". Nintendo.it (in Italian). 2014-04-01.
- ^ "Wiimmfi - About". Wiimmfi.de.
- ^ "Wiimmfi: A tool which brings back Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection".
- ^ Katie Williams (2014-02-26). "Nintendo Terminating Wi-fi Service For DS and Wii". IGN. Ziff Davis, LLC. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
- ^ Mitch Dyer (2014-04-03). "GameSpy Multiplayer Shutting Down, Hundreds of Games at Risk". IGN. Ziff Davis, LLC. Retrieved 2014-04-04.
- ^ "Wiimmfi". Tockdom Wiki.
- ^ "Wiimmfi funziona ancora nel 2024, mantenendo vivi i giochi Wii e DS online". Nintendo Life (in Italian).
- ^ Nintendo Homebrew. "Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection". Wii Hacks Guide. Retrieved 2024-09-07.
- ^ "Supported Games - Wiimmfi". Wiimmfi.de.
- ^ "Emulatore Dolphin - NAND Usage Guide". Dolphin Emulator (in Italian). Retrieved 2025-01-08.