Nintendo to Roll Out Wi-Fi Online Gaming

Iria · Oct 7, 2005, 05:30 AM

Game maker Nintendo has announced that it plans to launch Wi-Fi based online gaming via its new Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection on November 14, 2005. Available at first for the portable Nintendo DS and for the company's next-generation gaming console, code-named Revolution, in 2006.

Although details remain sketchy, Nintendo says users of Nintendo DS systems will be able to connect to existing home-based Wi-Fi networks with "minimal setup procedures," and folks who have broadband Internet but no wireless network will be able to use a separate Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector (on their computer?) to create a wireless access point for the Nintendo DS.

Away from home networks, DS players will be able to use thousands of free Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection hotspots in the U.S., although Nintendo has not announced any information about these hotspots, who will be providing the network, where the hotspots will be located, or how to connect.
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Read More / Source: Design Technica

pr0digal jenius · Oct 7, 2005, 05:57 AM

rock....on

Tipstaff · Oct 7, 2005, 06:47 AM

From what I remember the WiFi adapter will be bundled with Mario Kart DS as well as sold seperately for around $14.99. Not too sure if that's changed. It's essentially a "poor-mans" USB Access Point that you conntect to a computers USB port.

Rayder · Oct 7, 2005, 01:13 PM

I NEED the USB WiFi connector, even if I don't actuallly need it (we're wireless here), because you never know when you may need it.

The way I see it....

Having it and not needing it is much better than needing it and not having it. It's as simple as that.

If I take the DS to a friend's house and he has broadband but not wireless, we can still play with it online. It's a good device to keep in your DS collection just for such an occasion.

I'll get it just to have it.....just in case I need it.

It will be interesting to see how it goes "online". I imagine that will be seriously dumbed down and idiot-proofed so it's "safe" for little kids. I heard something about your 'DS-connection' being a 12 digit code that is your login ID and you can give this number to your friends so you can find them online. You can even just play against random people of YOUR ability level.

I'm not much of an 'online gamer'. I have many many games that I've bought that are still "online virgins". It's just not something I'm into. I like the singleplayer experience better personally. Of course I'll check it out, but I probably won't play online often.

One thing I wonder about the DS's WiFi, what's it's bandwidth? How fast does it attempt to upload and download? I never hear even a whisper about that.

Oct 7, 2005, 05:30 AM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	Nintendo to Roll Out Wi-Fi Online Gaming Game maker Nintendo has announced that it plans to launch Wi-Fi based online gaming via its new Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection on November 14, 2005. Available at first for the portable Nintendo DS and for the company's next-generation gaming console, code-named Revolution, in 2006. Although details remain sketchy, Nintendo says users of Nintendo DS systems will be able to connect to existing home-based Wi-Fi networks with "minimal setup procedures," and folks who have broadband Internet but no wireless network will be able to use a separate Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector (on their computer?) to create a wireless access point for the Nintendo DS. Away from home networks, DS players will be able to use thousands of free Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection hotspots in the U.S., although Nintendo has not announced any information about these hotspots, who will be providing the network, where the hotspots will be located, or how to connect. ____________ Read More / Source: Design Technica

Oct 7, 2005, 06:47 AM	#3
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,659 Rep Power: 187 System Specs	From what I remember the WiFi adapter will be bundled with Mario Kart DS as well as sold seperately for around $14.99. Not too sure if that's changed. It's essentially a "poor-mans" USB Access Point that you conntect to a computers USB port. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Oct 7, 2005, 05:57 AM	#2
pr0digal jenius Delete Me Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 14,648 Rep Power: 0	rock....on

Oct 7, 2005, 01:13 PM	#4
Rayder Mostly lurking lately.... Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 2,160 Rep Power: 71	I NEED the USB WiFi connector, even if I don't actuallly need it (we're wireless here), because you never know when you may need it. The way I see it.... Having it and not needing it is much better than needing it and not having it. It's as simple as that. If I take the DS to a friend's house and he has broadband but not wireless, we can still play with it online. It's a good device to keep in your DS collection just for such an occasion. I'll get it just to have it.....just in case I need it. It will be interesting to see how it goes "online". I imagine that will be seriously dumbed down and idiot-proofed so it's "safe" for little kids. I heard something about your 'DS-connection' being a 12 digit code that is your login ID and you can give this number to your friends so you can find them online. You can even just play against random people of YOUR ability level. I'm not much of an 'online gamer'. I have many many games that I've bought that are still "online virgins". It's just not something I'm into. I like the singleplayer experience better personally. Of course I'll check it out, but I probably won't play online often. One thing I wonder about the DS's WiFi, what's it's bandwidth? How fast does it attempt to upload and download? I never hear even a whisper about that.