Wi-Fi Connection
What is it?
Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is Nintendo’s free online service that will allow owners of a Nintendo DS or Nintendo Revolution to connect with other gamers worldwide for multiplayer gaming. Initially the service will be available in the U.S. from the 14th of November 2005 with the release of Mario Kart DS and Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land. It will be available in Japan from the 23rd of November 2005 and in the U.K. from the 25th of November 2005.
The service is free to use and although Nintendo won’t be asking you to pay to play any of their games online other developers are free to charge if they wish to.
Connect to the service
You can connect to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection through either a compatible wireless router, the Nintendo DS USB Wi-Fi adapter or using one of the hotspots provided by Nintendo in McDonald’s restraints or other public places such as cafes and libraries.
Your DS will let you configure up to three separate networks which can be any of the type listed above.
If you are using a wireless router however, only 802.11g and 802.11b routers are supported. Life is much easier if you have the Wi-Fi USB connector as there is no configuration required and this is not included in the maximum 3 connections noted above. In addition to this connection using one of the McDonalds hotspots works the same way as the USB connection.
The Nintendo DS Wi-Fi USB connector is yet to be priced for the U.S. but will be ¥3500 in Japan and £30 in the U.K. and will require you to have a broadband Internet connection on a Windows ZP based PC. According to a Nintendo press release owners of the Revolution will be able to use the USB connector.
Online multi-player gaming
Nintendo’s online multi-player philosophy means that when you join an online game it is as quick and easy as playing it offline. “Ease of use. No usernames. No passwords. No IP addresses. No URLs. No unintelligible technobabble. Just gaming.” is at the cornerstone of this philosophy according to Jim Merrick, Nintendo’s European Director of Marketing.
Several games are scheduled to coincide with the launch of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, why not have a look at our Nintendo DS online games list to see what is available.