Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
Don't miss these
Marathon destroyer runner shell using shield to block explosive
FPS Games Overwatch lead says using Steam player counts to dunk on Marathon is "big unemployed, maidenless behavior"
Highguard
FPS Games Highguard boasted numbers "similar to what we saw at launch with Apex," says the doomed shooter's lead
Key art for Highguard showing Kai riding a bear, Atticus with the Shieldbreaker, and Scarlet, crouched, aiming down sights
FPS Games With 1 week to live, Highguard is going out kicking with a final update as devs thank "everyone who has played" the FPS
Highguard character in purple and black armor
FPS Games Highguard is being "permanently shut down" next week, says Wildlight
Ghost of Yotei Legends
Open World Games "Mark my words. You cannot win without 4 players," Ghost of Yotei multiplayer lead warns of Legends' "hardcore content"
Helldivers 2 PS5 screenshot
Games The 25 best online games to play in 2026
Sky: Children of the Light screenshot of three figures playing different instruments
Games The best free Switch games available right now in 2026
Robert rides the elevator to work in Dispatch with his dog Beef, looking out of place surrounded by superheroes
Adventure Games Dispatch leads faced down publishers telling them single-player narrative games were "niche, or worse, dead"
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Puzzle Games Best local multiplayer Switch games to play in 2026
Close up of the Salmon Run Splatoon 3 keychain sitting on a Switch copy of Splatoon 3.
Toys & Collectibles The new Splatoon 3 Salmon Run merch at Nintendo is so ink-citing, but it's UK only for now
Highguard character in leather armor holding a rifle
FPS Games Highguard lead says "everyone has their thoughts on why the game failed to find an audience," but "many are way off"
Mario Kart Arcade GP key art, with Pac-Man and Mario racing against each other
Racing Games Nintendo's forgotten Mario Kart game is finally playable again as the best GameCube emulator gets even better
Atsu playing music for a camp of merchants in a field of yellow flowers in Ghost of Yotei
PlayStation Sony reportedly ending PC ports of single-player PlayStation games like Ghost of Yotei and Saros
Arc Raiders characters with shotgun and revolver
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders players make a plea to Embark: don't let PvP in trios poison your solo "aggression-based" matchmaking
Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream
Simulation Games Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream won't allow Mii and item sharing or any real online functionality at all
  1. Games
  2. Third Person Shooters
  3. Splatoon

The last Splatoon player says they've somehow stayed in the dead Nintendo servers: "I get lonely sometimes, but at least I have my Amiibo"

News
By Hirun Cryer published 10 April 2024

It's lonely at the end of the road

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Splatoon amiibo activation
(Image credit: Nintendo)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

One lone Splatoon player is still holding out in the Nintendo shooter's servers hours after they were officially shut down, and they're "so lonely."

Earlier this week came the unfortunate shutdown of servers for Nintendo's 3DS and Wii U platforms, completely shuttering servers for tons of games like Splatoon and Mario Kart. Well over a day later, at the time of writing, one lone Splatoon player is still somehow online and active on their Wii U, staking their territory on Nintendo's servers and refusing to budge.

You can see the player in question just below. "Almost a day after closing, I am the final Splatoon 1 player online," the player writes, adding that they're going to "hold out" for as long as they possibly can. Somewhat predictably, though, considering that they're still playing what's ostensibly an online shooter, they're "so lonely." Still, they've got the amiibo games to keep them company.

You may like
  • A player character looks shocked in a dark room in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Animal Crossing: New Horizons 'Adult Only' island closes its doors after 5 years, creator says sorry to Nintendo
  • Anthem Stop Killing Games says Anthem's scrapped plans for local servers is what the initiative is all about
  • Screenshot of Anthem machine pilot lying on the leafy ground with visor open A week before BioWare's worst game meets its final end, Anthem players gather to mourn what might have been

Hello, squidkids! Another update from someone still in the Nintendo Network.Almost a day after closing, I am the final Splatoon 1 player online. I’m going to hold out for as long as I can. I’m so lonely…#Splatoon pic.twitter.com/esni8f17tQApril 9, 2024

But there's more! A matter of minutes ago, the player reported that they're still active and somehow alive on the Wii U's servers, and are reposting the map rotations for Splatoon. 

Good morning, squid researchers! As you can see, I’m still in the lobby. I ran out of food, but I’ve discovered that drinking one’s own ink could be a suitable replacement…Ack!! I’ll never try that again. Anyway, here’s the rotation! pic.twitter.com/6C0R940JVIApril 10, 2024

It turns out the player in question is actually on a Steam Deck, playing the original Splatoon through an emulator. That's not to say they aren't using the same game servers that they would if they were on a Wii U, obviously. The player is leaving their Wii U firmly powered down for the time being because they don't want to see what would happen if the same Nintendo ID was active on two devices at once.

Even after the Wii U and 3DS servers shut down, Nintendo fans continued playing their favorite online games for hours. "IF YOU'RE STILL ONLINE FOR SPLATOON 1, DO NOT RESET YOUR WII U. It's still kicking for a LOT OF PEOPLE! KEEP PLAYING," wrote one player in a spirited Twitter post. Dozens of players continued playing for a while, but we might have the final Wii U online player on our hands here.

Take a look at our upcoming Switch games guide for a look at all the new Nintendo games we've got to look forward to for this year and beyond.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Wii U Platforms Nintendo
Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
A player character looks shocked in a dark room in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons 'Adult Only' island closes its doors after 5 years, creator says sorry to Nintendo
 
 
Anthem
Stop Killing Games says Anthem's scrapped plans for local servers is what the initiative is all about
 
 
Screenshot of Anthem machine pilot lying on the leafy ground with visor open
A week before BioWare's worst game meets its final end, Anthem players gather to mourn what might have been
 
 
Celebrating the opening of the resort hotel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
Nintendo says those Animal Crossing and Splatoon updates are there so players can migrate to Switch 2 at their own pace
 
 
Virtual Boy headset with inside of goggles facing forward and red backdrop.
Nintendo does what '90s Nintendo could only dream of – sell out of the Virtual Boy
 
 
Key art for Highguard showing Kai riding a bear, Atticus with the Shieldbreaker, and Scarlet, crouched, aiming down sights
With 1 week to live, Highguard is going out kicking with a final update as devs thank "everyone who has played" the FPS
 
 
Latest in Third Person Shooters
Arc Raiders screenshot of player running from a Leaper robot
Arc Raiders devs spent 3 years fighting "on a daily basis" over whether it was "a battle royale" or "a co-op Soul game"
 
 
Arc Raiders
"A lot of games would be canceled": Arc Raiders lead recalls cutting all but 25 people in "desperation"
 
 
Arc Raiders
Arc Raiders testers told Embark "they didn't like the PvP" after the game pivoted, and looting wasn't any better
 
 
Arc Raiders best weapons
The Arc in Arc Raiders have multiple "brains," and they all love pursuing you because Embark gives them "rewards"
 
 
Elsa Bloodshot in Marvel Rivals
Marvel Rivals devs felt "panic" at the thought of going into the live-service graveyard that just claimed Highguard
 
 
Helldivers 2 Entrenched Division warbond helldivers in sapper armor running across no-man's-land
All weapons and items in the Helldivers 2 Entrenched Division Warbond
 
 
Latest in News
Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem's unintentional Half-Life YouTuber ad website will be handed back to Capcom "for free" if it wants
 
 
Doctor Who Maureen O'Brien
Lost Doctor Who episodes, featuring the early Dalek appearances, have been found after 60 years - and they will air soon
 
 
Roman Reigns as Akuma in Street Fighter
Street Fighter game director teases "very smart" movie adaptation in new behind-the-scenes featurette
 
 
Rosamund Pike as a bloodied Dr. Grimm in Doom
Dwayne Johnson's Doom was so bad that one of his co-stars is surprised it didn't end their own career
 
 
Screenshot from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 showing a number of characters stood together, a gloomy sky ahead of them.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 remains on course to match Baldur's Gate 3 GOTY record
 
 
Ghost of Yotei reveal screenshot for Ps5
Ghost of Yotei isn't bigger than Ghost of Tsushima, but "it feels larger" because the devs tricked you into thinking so
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace in Project Hail Mary
    1
    Project Hail Mary directors think it was important to make sure their end of the world sci-fi drama was funny: "That's part of the human experience"
  2. 2
    If you're feeling the Pokemon Pokopia FOMO, Collector's Cove lets you explore and farm on the back of a Lapras-like companion
  3. 3
    Pokemon Pokopia Stamp Rally explained and how to get rare stamps
  4. 4
    Resident Evil Requiem's unintentional Half-Life YouTuber ad was bought for only $15, but the content creator responsible will give the website "'back' for free" if Capcom wants it
  5. 5
    Lost Doctor Who episodes, featuring one of the earliest Dalek appearances, have been found after over 60 years - and they're airing very soon

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...