Rare Experiment Shows Why Nintendo Never Made Its Own FaceTime Alternative

Published 09/21/2022, 9:30 AM EDT

While Nintendo has released a number of hit products as well as iconic games, there are some unwanted experiments that the Japanese giant tried to make popular but failed miserably. Especially on the front of creating its own social networking features similar to the likes of Facebook or video calling apps like Apple’s FaceTime.

This story dates back to more than a decade ago when Nintendo came up with a video chat option in the Wii U. However, just like the product itself, the ambitious social networking app turned out to be a disappointment.

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When Nintendo tried to make its own FaceTime alternative with Wii U Chat

The Wii U Chat arrived pre-installed with the original launch of the console itself in 2012. It allowed the users to have video calls with each other over the Nintendo Network. Players were able to use only the Wii U GamePad while having this application enabled. The video call chat app had a main menu from which one’s friends were listed by scrolling with the help of D-pad, left control stick, or stylus.

Wii U Chat had some other options as well, like toggling the TV display on or off during the calls. One can say it was an ambitious effort to become the FaceTime for Nintendo users, a decade ago.

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However, this application couldn’t garner much momentum similar to the Wii U console itself. While the device witnessed abysmal sales, the Wii U Chat had its lifetime completed in just under five years. Nintendo decided to shut it down worldwide while ending the support for the application completely.

Before it was discontinued in August 2017, users were given the option to download the archives of their chats. It’s really surprising to see, though, that a gaming giant like the Mario maker also had ambitions to venture out into the social networking segment. Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out as planned, as the application couldn’t generate any hype or interest.

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What are your thoughts on this story? Do you think the Wii U Chat should have been given more support? Let us know in the comments down below.

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Written by:

Mintu Tomar is an eSports author at EssentiallySports. After completing his bachelor's in Philosophy, he has followed his passion for covering news as a budding journalist. He lives and breathes video games and is a die-hard Call of Duty fan.

Edited by:

Jito Tenson

Rare Experiment Shows Why Nintendo Never Made Its Own FaceTime Alternative

When Nintendo tried to make its own FaceTime alternative with Wii U Chat

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