It’s inevitable that, as time passes and technology advances, video games, consoles, and peripherals that were once ubiquitous will become increasingly obsolete until they are only dusty keepsakes in the collections of a few retro enthusiasts.Online servers shut down and DLC becomes inaccessible as in the case of Ubisoftrecently, storefronts close, and with some accessories likeNintendo’s Wi-Fi adapters, gamers are asked to simply stop using them.The Wi-Fi USB Connector and Wi-Fi Network Adapter, which was available only in Japan, released in 2005 and 2008, respectively, an era when Wi-Fi wasn’t as prevalent as it is today and many homes still relied on ethernet connections. The USB devices plugged into a PC with broadband internet, and the Nintendo Wii and DS consoles could then connect to the internet via the adapter. This allowed people to access their console’s online features, such as theWii and DS eshops that have unfortunately now shut down.RELATED:Nintendo Hacker Jail Sentence Meant to ‘Send a Message’Nintendo has posted a warning on its Japanese Twitter account that continued use of the Wi-Fi USB Connector or Wi-Fi Network Adapter is not advised. A link to a more extensive explanation was provided in the tweet and essentially stated that theold-school peripheralscould leave gamers open to viruses or unauthorized access of their network. Owners were advised to cease using the adapters immediately and switch to a more modern device to go online.
The Wi-Fi USB Connector and Wi-Fi Network Adapter for the Wii and DS use the WEP security protocol, which is still the most widely used in the world but has long since been surpassed by WPA, WPA2, and 2018’s WPA3. WEP has several known security issues, can be easily hacked, and could result in anunexpected security breachfor Nintendo Wii and DS owners.
The USB Connector stopped being shipped byNintendoin 2010, and the Adapter received the same treatment in 2013. It’s therefore unlikely that a multitude of people are still using the two accessories, as most will have already moved on to more secure Wi-Fi connections if not new consoles altogether. Nevertheless, there are probably still some stalwart gamers who are particularly attached to their Wi-Fi Wii or DS dongles, and for them, unfortunately, it’s probably time to say goodbye.
Gamers are already preparing to bid farewell to theNintendo Wii U and 3DS eshops that will shut downfor good on August 01, 2025, but players will no longer be able to add funds to their eshop wallets after May 25, 2025. So people have less than a year to buy up all of the Wii U and 3DS titles they want or may possibly want in the future. Some of these games are not available digitally on any other platform, and their physical versions only grow more expensive by the day. It truly is the end of an era.
