Nintendo gaming goes WiFi

Nintendo plans to turn selected retail outlets, including Electronics Boutique, Dick Smith and Myer, into free wireless internet gaming hotspots for users of its dual screen (DS) handheld unit.

Scheduled to roll out in 26 locations by the end of November, the hotspots will allow players of go-kart game Mario Kart DS and Tony Hawk's American SK8Land to connect via the internet with players all over the world.

According to Nintendo, the WiFi service will automatically match players with those of similar ability, and the hotspots will also offer downloadable game demos.

The hotspots are intended to provide a place for people to test out the WiFi capabilities to guage whether it is something they would like to use at home, said company spokesman Vispi Bhopti.

Online gaming has already proven very popular on larger gaming devices from the likes of Sony and Microsoft.

In the US, Nintendo has joined forces with McDonald's to provide the gaming hotspots, but in Australia, the WiFi network at the fast food outlet does not offer free access.

When a user takes their Nintendo DS unit and a WiFi-enabled game into a participating store, it will be launched in Wi-Fi Connection mode, with no additional setup.

For users who decide they would like a WiFi connection at home, the company has released a $49 dedicated USB connector that can be used alongside a high-speed internet connection and a PC running Windows XP. Alternatively the USB connector can be used in conjunction with a laptop at WiFi locations outside the Nintendo hotspots.

The company said it also had plans to extend the service to the games Animal Crossing, Wild World and Metroid Prime Hunters.

A full list of WiFi hotspots will be made available on Nintendo's website.

Source: http://www.SMH.com.au

Great idea.


Wi-Fi seems to be getting places now... our uni has it in the library and coffee shop i think, so laptop people can browse the web just like that.