When did Mario Kart Wii servers shut down?

The Mario Kart Wii servers shut down on May 20, 2014, when the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service was discontinued, marking the end of online play, matchmaking, competitions, and leaderboards for Nintendo DS/DSi and Wii software. This shutdown affected various games, including Mario Kart Wii, which was a popular title that allowed players to compete against each other online.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. Is Mario Kart Wii still online? No, online play for Mario Kart Wii is no longer available due to the discontinuation of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service.
2. Did Mario Kart 8 servers shut down? Although Mario Kart 8 servers experienced a temporary shutdown to address a security vulnerability, they were restored, and online play was resumed.
3. Is Mario Kart 8 Wii U online shut down? The Mario Kart 8 servers on Wii U were temporarily taken offline but have since been restored, allowing for online play to resume.

Technical Issues and Troubleshooting

4. Why can’t I play MK8 online? Issues with restrictive router settings or NAT settings might be blocking necessary traffic, preventing online connectivity.
5. What is error code 106-0811 on Wii U? This error code indicates that the server is down for maintenance and cannot be used at the time.

Gaming Community and Popularity

6. Does anyone still play Mario Kart Wii? Yes, despite the shutdown of its online servers, Mario Kart Wii remains a popular game, and many players still enjoy it.
7. Are Wii U servers still up? While Nintendo announced the shutdown of servers for 3DS and Wii U games in early April 2024, with exceptions like Pokémon Bank, Wii U servers for certain games like Mario Kart 8 have been restored after temporary shutdowns.

Server Shutdowns and Restorations

8. When did Wii Internet end? The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, which provided internet capabilities for Wii and DS games, was shut down on May 20, 2014.
9. Why did Mario Kart Wii servers shut down? The shutdown was due to the discontinuation of the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, affecting all games that relied on it for online features.

Future of Mario Kart and Nintendo Services

10. Is Mario 35 going away? Super Mario Bros. 35 was a limited-time service that ended on March 31st, 2021, and is no longer playable, even for those who have the game downloaded.
11. Is Nintendo shutting down Wiis? While Nintendo has ended certain services, it has not completely shut down the Wii or Wii U consoles, and games can still be redownloaded, and online play is available for supported titles.

Related Games and Services

12. Does Mario Kart 8 work on Wii? Mario Kart 8 is exclusive to the Wii U console and cannot be played on the original Wii.
13. Can I play Mario Kart online? Yes, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Nintendo Switch offers online play, allowing players to race against others worldwide.

Local Play and Alternatives

14. How to play Mario Kart without online? Players can use the Local Wireless Play feature in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, allowing for multiplayer races without the need for online connectivity.
15. Is Wiimmfi legal? Wiimmfi is an alternative service that allows for online play on certain Wii games after the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection shutdown, and it is considered safe to use, with the only risk being a ban from Wiimmfi for inappropriate conduct or cheating.