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Are There Still Free Games on the Wii Shop Channel?

No. The **Wii Shop Channel permanently closed on January 30, 2019.** You can no longer access it, purchase, or download *any* content (free or paid), including:

WiiWare games
Virtual Console games (NES, SNES, N64, Genesis, TurboGrafx, Neo Geo, Arcade)
Wii Channels (Internet Channel, Netflix, YouTube, etc.)
Free promotional titles (e.g., Nintendo Channel, Mario Kart Channel, Kirby TV Channel)

What Still Works (If Previously Downloaded)

Redownload Past Purchases: **No.** The download servers are shut down. **You cannot redownload** even if you bought it. **Back up your SD Card / NAND.**
Already Installed Games: Continue to work from Wii Menu / SD Card.
Wii System Transfer → Wii U: **Still works** (Wii U eShop closed March 2023, but *transfer tool* functions offline via local Wi-Fi). Transfers WiiWare/VC/Saves to Wii U (plays in Wii Mode).

Legal Alternatives for Free Wii/Retro Games Today

Method	Cost	Legality	Notes
Homebrew (Wii/ vWii)	Free	Legal (tools)	wii.guide → Homebrew Channel → Emulators (RetroArch, Nintendont, WiiFlow) + Your own dumped ROMs/ISOs.
Wii U eShop (Closed)	N/A	N/A	Closed March 2023. No new purchases. Redownload only if previously bought (servers still up for now).
Nintendo Switch Online	Subscription	Legal	NES, SNES, GB, GBA, N64, Genesis libraries. Best legal way.
Official Re-releases / Collections	Purchase	Legal	Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (Wii tracks), Metroid Prime Remastered, Pikmin 1+2, Bayonetta Origins, etc.

Warning: Sites offering "Wii Shop Channel WADs," "Free WiiWare," or "NUS Downloader" for games you don't own are **piracy**. Homebrew community (r/WiiHacks, GBATemp) supports **backup of your own discs only**.

Wii Games