Does the Nintendo Wii Require Internet? Benefits of Connecting

No. The Wii functions fully offline: plays discs, saves to internal memory/SD, uses Wii Menu, Photo Channel, Mii Channel, and disc-based games without any connection.

Features Requiring Internet (WiiConnect24 / Nintendo WFC)

Note: Official Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (WFC) for online multiplayer/shop **shut down May 20, 2014**. The below describes historical functionality or homebrew-restored services.

• Online Multiplayer: Mario Kart Wii, Smash Bros. Brawl, Monster Hunter Tri, CoD titles, etc. (Now via Wiimmfi homebrew patch).
• Wii Shop Channel: Purchase WiiWare, Virtual Console, Channels. Closed Jan 30, 2019. Redownloads of owned content possible until 2023 (now ended).
• WiiConnect24: Standby reception of messages, Miis, game data (e.g., Animal Crossing: City Folk visitors, Mario Kart ghosts).
• System Updates: Firmware 4.3 (final) added SDHC support, fixed exploits.
• Internet Channel / Netflix / YouTube (Legacy Apps): Most discontinued/removed.

Homebrew Revival (Current Best Use for WiFi)

• Wiimmfi: Custom DNS patch restores online play for ~100+ games. Requires Homebrew Channel (Letterbomb/BlueBomb/str2hax).
• RiiConnect24: Restores WiiConnect24 (Mail, Forecast, News, Everybody Votes, Check Mii Out).
• WiiLink24: Modern replacement for Nintendo Channel, Wii no Ma.
• USB Loader GX / Nintendont: Play backups from USB/HDD (requires owned discs), GameCube support.

Bottom Line: Internet not required for core experience. Today, it's primarily for homebrew/online revival. If you don't homebrew, you only need it for the initial 4.3 update (if not already on it) or Netflix (if app still works on your region/model).