 Nintendo DS goes online Nov. 14
Confirming what has been rumoured for several months now, Nintendo has announced it will be coming out with a new WiFi Internet service on November 14 for the Nintendo DS portable system and it will be completely free.
For DS owners who already have a WiFi (that is, wireless) Internet connection in their home, they will be able to set up their DS unit with as Nintendo puts it minimal setup procedures. For those who have a more standard Internet connection such as cable or DSL a special Nintendo WiFi USB connector will be available that can be plugged directly into your home PC.
In addition, Nintendo said there will be thousands of DS WiFi hotspots throughout North America where gamers will be able to play their games with anyone else around the world. Presumably there could be hotspots at gaming stores or even in coffee shops. More info on the exact location of these hotspots will come at a later date.
Games that have been confirmed to use this online service include Animal Crossing: Wild World (launching December 5, 2005), Metroid Prime Hunters and two games that will launch on November 14th, Mario Kart DS and Tony Hawks American SK8Land the latter of which will be the first third-party game to incorporate the DS WiFi service.
Nintendo has stated repeatedly that it wants to make its online experience more user-friendly than those provided by Microsofts Xbox and Sonys Playstation 2. Nintendo is aiming to make online gaming fun for anyone, especially people who may be scared away by the competitive nature of some gamers on the other online gaming services.
Nintendo also announced that it will be using the same service for its next-generation home console, the Nintendo Revolution.
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