Wii U and 3DS Players Surpass Halo 2's Longevity Record After Nintendo Network Shutdown

In April 2024, Nintendo officially discontinued online services for the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS, marking the end of an era for millions of players.

Despite the shutdown on April 8th, a determined group of gamers have managed to defy technical odds and remain connected to the Nintendo Network, establishing a new milestone in online gaming dedication and demonstrating the lasting influence of the Wii U and 3DS platforms. The shutdown affected a wide range of games beloved by fans, including Splatoon, Pokémon X & Y, Mario Kart 7, Super Mario Maker, and Xenoblade Chronicles X.

Almost immediately, committed members of the community—including some dubbed the "Crazy 8 of the Nintendo Network"—found themselves undertaking an unspoken challenge: stay online for as long as possible after official support ended. According to user tracking by GaffsNotLaffs, these players surpassed the 25 day, 1 hour, and 58 minute benchmark previously set by the "Noble 14"—the last group connected to Halo 2 before its servers were shut down in 2010.

As of more than 25 days post-shutdown, a handful of players remain active, outlasting the long-standing Halo 2 record and capturing the attention of the global gaming community. Among these persistent users, Lcd101 stands out as the last player maintaining a connection to Splatoon on the Wii U.

Meanwhile, others have held on in games like Pokémon X & Y and Mario Kart 7, and in Xenoblade Chronicles X, two adventurers continue to explore the alien world of Mira together.

As of this report, the count of active participants has dropped to seven, with one member from the Xenoblade Chronicles X contingent recently disconnected. In a statement reflecting the community’s resilience, observers noted the "remarkable coordination and persistence among Nintendo Network’s most loyal fans." The group’s feats extend beyond simple uptime; for example, Super Mario Maker players performed a final, collective run to complete the game’s last available level before servers went dark, providing a memorable farewell to the platform’s legacy. Nintendo Network’s closure for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS was a significant event, impacting availability on the Nintendo eShop and ending official online multiplayer functionality for numerous classic titles.

Yet, the tenacity of these remaining players adds an unforgettable chapter to the history of these consoles — reinforcing the sense of community and enduring affection that have defined Nintendo's platforms for generations. For many in the gaming world, the actions of the "Magnificent Seven"—still online well after the shutdown—are a testament to the lasting impact of Nintendo’s handheld and home hardware.

While it remains uncertain how much longer these connections will hold, the story stands as a celebration of gaming passion transcending technical limitations.

Long live the Wii U and Nintendo 3DS!

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