WiiConnect24

WiiConnect24 was a feature of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection for the Wii console. It was first announced at Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in mid-2006 by Nintendo.[1] It enabled the user to remain connected to the Internet while the console was on standby. For example, a friend could send messages to another player's town without the other player being present in the game Animal Crossing: City Folk.

WiiConnect24
DeveloperNintendo
TypeOnline service
Launch dateNovember 19, 2006 (2006-11-19)
DiscontinuedJune 27, 2013
(Forecast Channel, News Channel, Everybody Votes Channel, Check Mii Out Channel/Mii Contest Channel, Nintendo Channel)
May 20, 2014
(Mario Kart Channel, Wii Speak Channel)
January 30, 2019
(Wii Shop Channel)
Platform(s)Wii
Websitenintendo.com

On June 27, 2013, WiiConnect24 service features were globally terminated. Consequently, the Wii channels that required it, online data exchange via Wii Message Board, and passive online features for certain games (the latter two of which made use of 16-digit Wii Friend Codes) have all been rendered unusable.[2][3]

The Wii U does not officially support WiiConnect24, so most preloaded and downloadable Wii channels were unavailable on the Wii U's Wii Mode menu and Wii Shop Channel respectively, even prior to WiiConnect24's termination. Eventually, the defunct downloadable Wii channels were removed from all versions of the Wii Shop Channel.

WiiConnect24 has been succeeded by SpotPass, a different trademark name for similar content-pushing functions that the Nintendo Network service can perform for the newer Nintendo 3DS and Wii U consoles.

In 2015, a fan-made service called RiiConnect24 went live as a replacement for WiiConnect24, and aimed to bring all of the Wii's online functionality back to those who had a homebrewed Wii console. As of now, the service offers online access to all of the Wii's Channels released in North America, as well as sending messages to other users in the Wii Message Board. [4]

Service
A Wii unit in standby mode with a message received

WiiConnect24 was used to receive content such as Wii Message Board messages sent from other Wii consoles, Miis, emails, updated channel and game content, and notification of software updates. If the Standby Connect mode of WiiConnect24 is enabled, this content can also be received when the Wii is left in standby mode. While running in standby mode with Standby Connection enabled, the Wii uses about 9.6 watts, compared to 1.3 watts without WiiConnect24.[5]

WiiConnect24 can still be turned on or off via the setup interface. If it is on, the user is allowed to enable or disable Standby Connect mode. While the console is in standby, the power LED indicates the current status of the standby connection; red indicating Standby Connect is off, yellow indicating Standby Connect mode is on. If the power button on the console is pressed and held down for three to four seconds, the Wii goes into standby mode with Standby Connect off. If the Wii is cut off from power and power is later restored, it goes into standby mode with Standby Connect mode off, and WiiConnect24 will not operate until the console is turned on.

The Wii Optical Drive will glow a neon-blue colour when Wii Message Board data has been received through WiiConnect24 in Standby Connect mode and, with firmware 3.0 and above, it will briefly flash when the console is turned on. The brightness level of this blue colour can be changed via the Setup Interface with the options of Bright, Dim or Off.

The flowing light on the Wii is timed with the bird call of the Japanese bush warbler.[6]

When game messages are received with pictures, the player can customise them into the Photo Channel. The player would also be able to send them to other Wii consoles that are sent when you register them. The player could also opt out of receiving messages from Nintendo.

Functionality

During an interview with the Japanese newspaper Nikkei Business Publications, Nintendo's CEO, Satoru Iwata, revealed that the WiiConnect24 could be used for the downloading of demos for the Nintendo DS (this was later revealed to be the Nintendo Channel).[7]

"Let's say your Wii is connected to the Internet in a mode that allows activation on a 24-hour basis. This would allow Nintendo to send monthly promotional demos for the DS, during the night, to the Wii consoles in each household. Users would wake up each morning, find the LED lamp on their Wii flashing, and know that Nintendo has sent them something. They would then be able to download the promotional demo from their Wii systems to their Nintendo DS's."

According to Nintendo's European micro-site for the Wii, WiiConnect24 can be used to send SMS messages "to family members that are out and about", and exchange pictures and messages with other Wii users.[8]

Channels

The following were Wii Menu channels that used WiiConnect24:

Channel Description Release date Discontinuation date
Mii Channel Miis created by friends can be shared November 19, 2006 (came with console) N/A
Wii Shop Channel Download games by using "Wii Points" November 19, 2006 (came with console) January 30, 2019
Forecast Channel Current local and worldwide weather conditions December 20, 2006 (was with console but an update was needed to activate the channel) June 27, 2013
News Channel The latest news articles and headlines January 24, 2007 (was with console but an update was needed to activate the channel) June 27, 2013
Everybody Votes Channel Polls and results February 14, 2007 June 27, 2013
Check Mii Out Channel/Mii Contest Channel Miis can be shared as well as judged on a global scale November 11, 2007 June 27, 2013
Mario Kart Wii Channel Can race ghost data, view worldwide racing times, view friend list, participate in competitions like tournaments April 10, 2008 (Japan), April 11, 2008 (Europe), April 24, 2008 (Australia), April 27, 2008 (America) May 20, 2014[9]
Nintendo Channel Allows Wii users to watch trailers for games and download demos for the Nintendo DS. November 27, 2007 (Japan), May 7, 2008 (America), May 30, 2008 (Europe and Australia) June 27, 2013
Wii Speak Channel Allows users to leave voice messages on friends' message boards. December 5, 2008 (users must have Wii Speak to download) May 20, 2014[9]

The Forecast and News channels required that both WiiConnect24 and Standby Connection were enabled to work; if WiiConnect24 was enabled and Standby Connection was disabled, the channels would give an error message upon launch and return the user to the Wii Menu. The reason for this requirement is due to the fact that they had to download data that was relatively up to date.

Problems

The initial firmware update caused some parts of the console to be inaccessible to a small portion of people who purchased the Wii at launch. Those Wii consoles received constant error codes.[10] For those users it was necessary to contact Nintendo's customer service to replace or repair the console.[11]

In some countries, trying to connect to WiiConnect24 displays a screen stating that the service "is currently not being offered". This can be circumvented by selecting a different country as a location.[12] It is currently unknown what the actual availability map of the service is.

The PAL versions of the Wii connected with RGB SCART cables continue to send a SCART switching signal when the Wii is in WiiConnect24 standby mode. This occurs with both official Nintendo RGB SCART cables, and any third party RGB SCART cables that carry the SCART switching signal. This problem can be alleviated by disabling standby mode, but leaving WiiConnect24 running.

When the disc slot light glows it can cause the wii to get hot (in standby mode). This is because the fan is turned off while the console is also in standby mode.

Closure

By June 27, 2013, Nintendo had discontinued almost all WiiConnect24 Services. The Wii Shop Channel closed on January 30, 2019 and remaining video-on-demand services on Wii also ended on that date.[13]

See also

References
  1. Casamassina, Matt (2006-05-11). "E3 2006: Wii Wi-Fi Just Like DS". IGN.
  2. Wahlgren, Jon (2013-04-12). "Nintendo to Pull the Plug on Several Online Wii Channels". Nintendo Life. Retrieved 2013-04-13.
  3. "Discontinuation of WiiConnect24 Services | Wii & Wii mini | Nintendo Support". en-americas-support.nintendo.com. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  4. "How to Connect Your Nintendo Wii Console to the Internet". MakeUseOf. 2019-10-10. Retrieved 2020-09-25.
  5. Nelson, Carl (2007-02-21). "XBOX 360 vs PS3 (and Wii) - Power Consumption Report". hardCOREware.net. Retrieved 2007-12-08.
  6. LeJacq, Yannick (2015-05-11). "7 Things You Might Not Know About The Wii". Kotaku. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  7. Dobson, Jason (2006-06-02). "Iwata Comments On Wii Controller, Online Functionality". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2006-06-02.
  8. "WiiConnect24". Nintendo. Retrieved 2006-01-27.
  9. "Nintendo Wii and DS internet multiplayer services will shut down worldwide May 20th". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  10. Micah Seff (20 November 2006). "WiiConnect 24 Update Breaking Systems?". IGN. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  11. Nintendo - Customer Service
  12. "Wiiconnect24 doesn´t work and how to fix it". Avenida Siempre Comienzo SN. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  13. "Reminder: Wii Shop closes January 30, 2019 - Nintendo Official Site". Nintendo.com. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
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