Nintendo has removed the online features of the Wii U versions of the Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon now due to an unspecified security vulnerability. VGC reports that the games were taken offline at 11:30PM ET last night and that the company suggests that the fix could take days (via IGN). The Nintendo Switch versions of the games are not affected.
Splatoon, Mario Kart 8 — This network service is currently unavailable due to urgent maintenance required to fix a vulnerability related to online play. We do not yet have information on when network services will be restored. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. (Error Code: 106-0811)
as VGC notes, a Nintendo data miner known as OatmealDome Tweet that the security issue may be related to an exploit that allows an attacker to take over the console of a victim simply by matching with them in the game. According to OatmealDome, whose Twitter profile says they’re also a Dolphin Emulator developer, the vulnerability is “almost certainly” ENLBufferPwn, which Nintendo supposedly defended by releasing a patch for some Switch games and yet. Mario Kart 7 on the 3DS.
The best selling Wii U game of all time is Mario Kart 8 (like the Nintendo Switch has Deluxe version) and sold more than 8 million copies. So if there are any active Wii U players out there – I personally have a friend who borrows mine and his kids play it almost every day – then this is probably Mario Kart 8 The online game is missing somewhere today.
Nintendo’s Wii U was discontinued in 2017 and only sold 13.56 million units in its lifetime. The system was widely considered a failure and was outsold by its successor, the Nintendo Switch, in just 10 months.
Nintendo is still working on fixing the issues with Mario Kart 8 and Splatoon for the Wii U even though the console is no longer available – although it plans to pick up new Wii U eShop sales this month. Considering that Nintendo released the Switch console bundle with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on an almost annual basis, the company can expect fans to upgrade from the Wii U by now.