The Nintendo Wifi connection is a free global wireless gaming service. All you need to connect is a wireless internet network and a compatible Nintendo games console (currently the Nintendo DS).
What's it all about?
If you get yourself a Nintendo DS, a Wifi compatible game, and find yourself a wireless internet access point, you can play online against players around the world for free.
Easy starter pack
Basically, this is all you need to get started.
This pack includes a Nintendo DS, and the awesome Wifi compatible Mario Kart DS.
Nintendo DS Mario Kart Bundle
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
What Next?
Once you've got your game and your DS, you need to get yourself in range of some wireless internet access.
If you've already got broadband and a wireless router at home, you should just be able to fire up your game, and use the Search for an Access Point option in the WFC Connection settings. Most of the time that should work, if not, check your router's compatibility. If it's still not working, you might find some instructions in Nintendo's router setup section, or their forums.
Not got broadband, or a wireless router? You need to find yourself a public Wifi Access Point. These are becoming more and more common place, so you should be able to find one easily, and Nintendo has a great Wifi search tool. All or most McDonalds restaurants are supposedly Wifi enabled, so that might be a good place to start.
No wireless router, but I do have broadband internet on my PC. You can connect to the internet wirelessly from your DS via any internet enabled PC by buying a Nintendo USB Adapter. You plug it in, turn on your PC and connect to the internet, then your DS will use your PC as a gateway to the Nintendo Wifi connection.
If you've already got broadband and a wireless router at home, you should just be able to fire up your game, and use the Search for an Access Point option in the WFC Connection settings. Most of the time that should work, if not, check your router's compatibility. If it's still not working, you might find some instructions in Nintendo's router setup section, or their forums.
Not got broadband, or a wireless router? You need to find yourself a public Wifi Access Point. These are becoming more and more common place, so you should be able to find one easily, and Nintendo has a great Wifi search tool. All or most McDonalds restaurants are supposedly Wifi enabled, so that might be a good place to start.
No wireless router, but I do have broadband internet on my PC. You can connect to the internet wirelessly from your DS via any internet enabled PC by buying a Nintendo USB Adapter. You plug it in, turn on your PC and connect to the internet, then your DS will use your PC as a gateway to the Nintendo Wifi connection.
Nintendo Wifi Connection Links
Need help getting started, or want more info?
- Nintendo Wifi Homepage
- Nintendo's Wifi hub, you can find out everything you need to know on this site.
- Find a wireless network
- Enter your post code to search for a compatible public wireless network in the area. As soon as you get in range you should be able to play.
- Router Compatibility
- The list of supported routers, with a compatibility rating. If you haven't bought a router yet, look here first.
- Help with Routers
- If you've already got your router, this page will tell you if you need to take any special steps to get it working.
- USB Adapter
- If you don't have a compatible wireless router, or a wireless network, you can still get online via any PC with an internet connection. Buy one of these adapters and plug it into your PC, and the DS will use the PC as a gateway to the internet.
- The Nintendo WFC Gaming Hub
- This is cool, here you can see activity, rankings and network status for all Wifi connection games.
- Nintendo NSider Forums
- This is the Wifi section of the Nintendo forums.
- Nintendo Wifi News
- The latest news and events from Nintendo Wifi Connection.
- Register your ID
- Link your DS Wifi ID to your Nintendo.com account and see personal gaming stats.
Anything else?
Who do I play against?
The Nintendo Wifi connection automatically matches up players, and in the games that are available so far, you don't have to get to know the people you get matched up with.
What if I want to play my friends?
You can do that, but you need to give them your DS Wifi ID for each game you want to add them to as a friend. You can find your ID easily in the games.
Is online gaming safe for my kids?
On the Nintendo WFC, yes, the games that are available so far don't allow for any communication between players. The very worst thing you could have to deal with is a crudely drawn, heavily pixelated childishly offensive emblem, or a similarly crude screen name. You can't talk (voice or text chat) with the other players, and more importantly, they can't talk to you. It's basically like playing an intelligent, unpredictable, computer player. As more games are introduced, communication may be possible, but if you check the details of the games you're buying for kids, it should be okay.
The Nintendo Wifi connection automatically matches up players, and in the games that are available so far, you don't have to get to know the people you get matched up with.
What if I want to play my friends?
You can do that, but you need to give them your DS Wifi ID for each game you want to add them to as a friend. You can find your ID easily in the games.
Is online gaming safe for my kids?
On the Nintendo WFC, yes, the games that are available so far don't allow for any communication between players. The very worst thing you could have to deal with is a crudely drawn, heavily pixelated childishly offensive emblem, or a similarly crude screen name. You can't talk (voice or text chat) with the other players, and more importantly, they can't talk to you. It's basically like playing an intelligent, unpredictable, computer player. As more games are introduced, communication may be possible, but if you check the details of the games you're buying for kids, it should be okay.
DS Wifi essentials from Amazon
Some extras or alternatives for you.
Nintendo DS Mario Kart Bundle
Get this DS bundle with Mario Kart DS and race online.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Mario Kart DS
The best Mario Kart game yet, made even better by the Wifi support.
Amazon Price: $33.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Animal Crossing: Wild World
Build yourself a community in an Animal Crossing village, a follow up to the great Gamecube game. With Wifi support.
Amazon Price: $31.99 (as of 10/06/2008)
Usually ships in 24 hours
Metroid Prime Hunters
Easily the most exciting looking upcoming DS game, a Wifi first person shooter in the Metroid world, with an incredible touch screen control system.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector
If you don't have a wireless router, but you do have a broadband connected PC, this will let your DS go online.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/06/2008)
About Wifi Security
One of the problems you might hit with your router will be the compatibility of the Wifi security method you're using. The DS currently only supports either unsecured Wireless, or WEP secured wireless. Many modern routers will use the WPA-PSK encryption method, which is easier to configure and more secure. To use your DS with this router you must change the security setting to either unsecured or WEP.
When you choose WEP security, you will choose a network key and you must enter it exactly into your DS to access the network. Your key may be based on a keyword or phrase that you enter in the router configuration, but you must make sure it is the actual key that you enter in the DS, entering the keyword or phrase will not work.
When you choose WEP security, you will choose a network key and you must enter it exactly into your DS to access the network. Your key may be based on a keyword or phrase that you enter in the router configuration, but you must make sure it is the actual key that you enter in the DS, entering the keyword or phrase will not work.
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