What OpenPak is¶
OpenPak is a community-run online network for game consoles whose official online services have closed or are closing. Your console (or an OpenPak emulator) is pointed at OpenPak instead of the vendor's servers. The console keeps running its own firmware and your own games; only the servers on the other end are replaced.
With one OpenPak account you get:
- One account for every console. Register once on openpak.org, then link consoles and emulators to it. Every linked device is listed and can be revoked.
- Friends that follow you. Share a friend code, send and accept requests, chat and block. The friend list is one list across every OpenPak platform.
- Online play in the games OpenPak has a server for.
- Cloud saves for supported consoles and emulators.
- A companion app for your account, friends, invitations and saves on your phone.
OpenPak's servers are free software (AGPL-3.0). Nothing depends on a vendor staying online.
What works today¶
OpenPak is in public alpha. This table is a summary; the live, per-feature list is at openpak.org/features and always wins over this page.
| Platform | State | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch | Working | Accounts, console link, friends, Nintendo Switch Online membership, avatars and device authentication work. Presence, invitations, matchmaking, NAT traversal and cloud saves are partial. News is alpha. |
| Wii U | Beta | Accounts, friends and NAT check. Miiverse, SpotPass and eShop are alpha. The console patch (Inkay) is alpha. |
| 3DS | Beta | As for the Wii U. The console patch (nimbus) is alpha. |
| Wii | Beta | Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The Wii patcher is alpha. |
| DS | Beta | Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. |
| Xbox (original) | In development | Not ready for players yet. |
| Xbox 360 | In development | Not ready for players yet. |
| PlayStation 3 | In development | Not ready for players yet. |
| PSP, PS2, PS Vita, PS4, PS5, Xbox One | Planned | Nothing to set up yet. |
Which games work¶
Every game OpenPak knows about is on openpak.org/titles, with its state and what was tested. The words mean:
| State | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Live | Served and played online on real hardware. |
| Beta | Served and running, but not yet verified on a console. |
| Alpha | Being brought up. Expect it not to work. |
| Requestable | No server yet. You can ask for it on the titles page. |
Switch has the most live games so far, among them Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Splatoon 2 and 3, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Stardew Valley, Terraria, Don't Starve Together and the Risk of Rain games. Check the titles page for the current list before you set anything up for one game.
Alpha caveats¶
- Data may be reset. Accounts, friend lists, console links and cloud saves can be reset or lost while the network is built. The site will say so before a planned reset.
- No uptime promise. Services can be down without notice. Check status.openpak.org.
- Partial features are partial. A game that starts online is not proof that every mode works. Game invitations are delivered, but joining a game from one does not always work yet.
- Bans by the vendor are possible. Read before you start.
- You must be at least 16 to create an account.
Next steps¶
- Read before you start.
- Create your account.
- Follow the setup guide for your console or emulator.