Over 200 Days Post-Closure, Final Nintendo Network User Logs Off Following 3DS System Crash

What a journey it has been! November 3 of this year marks the end of an era. After 209 days of continuous connectivity, Fishguy6564, the last user standing on the Nintendo Network for Wii U and 3DS, was finally disconnected. His Nintendo 3DS crashed after spending nearly seven months navigating the servers of Mario Kart 7 non-stop, as reported by GamesRadar. Although that chapter has closed, there are glimmers of hope for fans of these systems.

For those with a special fondness for their now-outdated Nintendo hardware, there are still ways to breathe new life into it. By using custom firmware, users can access Homebrew software and Pretendo—an alternative service that allows fans to run their own Nintendo Network servers. While the selection of games compatible with Pretendo is somewhat limited, it’s an essential step in preserving the authenticity and playability of these modern classics.

Before the abrupt ending of Fishguy6564’s connection to the Mario Kart 7 server, his 3DS had been conditioned to maintain a lobby filled with bots (and occasionally another human player). He ingeniously navigated around the official shutdown, keeping the system alive until an eventual crash would force it offline. Reflecting on this impressive feat in an earlier conversation with GamesRadar, Fishguy6564 mentioned, “I never expected us to last beyond the official shutdown. Once that happened, it turned into a fun challenge to see how long we could stretch things out.”

A boundary seems to have finally been reached, but not all is lost. With Pretendo servers up and running, owners of modified original hardware can still enjoy beloved titles. For the Nintendo 3DS, these include favorites like Mario Kart 7, Kid Icarus: Uprising, and Mario Maker 3DS. Wii U enthusiasts can dive back into the action with games like Mario Kart 8, Mario Maker, Splatoon, and Pokkén Tournament. Depending on the game, Pretendo can bring either basic online gameplay back to life or more advanced server features.

Despite these lifelines, the reality remains grim for many unique eShop-exclusive titles, with no legitimate way to access them unless pre-installed. While these games might not have been enough to drive system sales, it’s unfortunate they now drift into obscurity. The nascent world after official servers have gone dark leaves game preservation in the hands of dedicated historians, resourceful modders, and, inevitably, pirates committed to preserving these neglected treasures.