Nintendo put out a statement earlier this year regarding online play for Wii U past its end of service date. The company’s statement mentioned “unauthorized services” that continue online play for the console, and warns about “unexpected security risks” that come with the third party software. The post can be found below, as well as the automatic translation of the post.
[お願い]2024年4月9日にサービスを終了しましたWii Uのオンラインプレイ等の機能につきまして、機能を代替する非正規サービスの存在を確認しております。そうしたサービスを使用されますと、思わぬセキュリティリスクをもたらす恐れがございますので、ご使用にならないようお願いいたします。
— 任天堂サポート (@nintendo_cs) January 15, 2025
We have confirmed the existence of unauthorized services that replace functions such as online play for the Wii U, which ended service on April 9, 2024. Please refrain from using such services as they may pose unexpected security risks.
This post went out on social media, and very shortly after people began taking its vague wording to refer to Pretendo, an open-source third party software allowing for online play for the console.
[Nintendo Network]
Nintendo warns users against using Nintendo Network revival servers for the Wii U due to “security risks”.
I assume they’re talking about Pretendo. https://t.co/8fndLwqM4O
— OatmealDome (@OatmealDome) January 15, 2025
As of writing nothing has come about the situation beyond the post, so it has yet to be seen if Nintendo will take any action over these services. Being open-source, Pretendo would be difficult to shut down without copycats creating offshoots. What do you all think about these services? Let us know in the comments below!
Source: GoNintendo