Configuring Nintendo DS Wi-Fi (Historical / Nintendo WFC)

Important: The official Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (WFC) service was discontinued on May 20, 2014. Official online matchmaking, leaderboards, and DLC for DS/DSi/Wii games no longer function.

Original Setup (Historical Reference)

1. Insert a Wi-Fi compatible game.
2. Go to the game's "Nintendo WFC Settings" / "Wi-Fi Settings" menu.
3. Select "Search for an Access Point".
4. Choose your router SSID.
5. Enter security key (WEP / WPA-PSK (TKIP) only – DS/DSi do not support WPA2/AES or WPA3).
6. Test connection.

Modern Alternatives for Online Play

• AltWFC / Wiimmfi: Community-run replacement servers. Requires changing DS/DSi/3DS primary DNS to 164.132.44.106 (Wiimmfi) or similar. Works for Mario Kart DS, Pokémon Gen 4/5, Animal Crossing: Wild World, etc.
• melonDS / DeSmuME (PC Emulators): Support local wireless (LAN) and Wiimmfi for online play.
• 3DS Homebrew: nds-bootstrap / TWiLight Menu++ on custom firmware 3DS allows playing DS roms with Wiimmfi DNS patching built-in.

Note: The "Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector" (official dongle) is obsolete, requires Windows XP/7 32-bit drivers, and will not connect to modern WPA2/3 routers.