Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection

The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (ニンテンドーWi-Fiコネクション, Nintendō Wi-Fi Konekushon?) (commonly abbreviated WFC) (stylized as nintendo Wi-Fi connection) is an online multiplayer gaming service run by Nintendo to provide free online play in compatible Nintendo DS and Wii games. The service includes the company's Wii Shop Channel and DSi Shop game download services. It also runs features for the Wii and Nintendo DS systems. Games designed to take advantage of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection offer Internet play integrated into the game. Nintendo emphasizes the simplicity and speed of starting an online game when promoting its service. For example, in Mario Kart DS, an online game is initiated by selecting the online multiplayer option from the main menu, then choosing whether to play with friends, or to play with other gamers (either in the local region or worldwide) at about the same skill level. After a selection is made, the game starts searching for an available player.

Whilst Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection was essentially functional and efficient, its system was vastly inferior in comparison to its competitors the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, both which existed around the same time period as Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

On January 26, 2012, it was announced by Nintendo during an investors meeting that the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service will be succeeded by and absorbed into Nintendo Network, a new unified online system that will bring paid downloadable content, an online community style multiplayer system, and personal accounts (replacing Friend Codes in favor of a different function). Nintendo Network is fully supported on the Nintendo 3DS (currently without support for personal accounts) and on the Wii U, whilst still continuing providing legacy (partial) support for both Wii and Nintendo DS under the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection brand.

Read more about Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection:  Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Architecture, Features, Wii Message Board, Games, Official Website

Famous quotes containing the word connection:

    ... instinct is the direct connection with truth.
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