NINTENDO WI-FI CONNECTION

'Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection' is an online service run by Nintendo to facilitate free Internet play in compatible Nintendo DS and Wii games.

Contents

Functionality

Friend codes

Rivals

Wii Number

Games

Internet connection

Using Nintendo Wi-Fi from Home

Official website

See also

References

External links

Functionality

Games designed to take advantage of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection offer Internet play integrated into the game. Nintendo emphasizes the simplicity and speed of starting an online game when promoting its service. For example, in ''Mario Kart DS'', an online game is initiated by first choosing the online multiplayer option from the main menu, then choosing whether to play with friends, play with people in the local region, or play with people around the world. After a selection is made, the game starts searching for available players. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service for Nintendo DS can support up to eight players, as in Clubhouse Games. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service for Wii can support up to thirty-two players, as in . ^[1]

Friend codes

"Friend codes" are generated from an identifier unique to a copy of a game and the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ID of a DS system. Using a different copy of a game, or loading the same copy in a different system, generates a different Friend code.^[2] In order for users to become "Friends", they must mutually add Friend codes, often obtained through online forums or chatrooms, and will be authenticated as Friends once both have gone online. These measures (mutual Friend code exchange, per-game Friend codes, and the pairing of the Friend code and system) are said by Nintendo to be conscious steps to preserve users' privacy. If a DS game is sold, but not the system, there is no risk of the purchaser impersonating the seller. Similarly, one cannot add a user to their "Friends list" for the sole purpose of antagonizing the user online.
Features enabled by becoming "Friends" can range from simply seeking each other out for online play (''Mario Kart DS'', ''Tetris DS''), to voice and text chat (''Metroid Prime Hunters''). Unusually, most of the online features in ''Animal Crossing: Wild World'' are disabled unless users are Friends, with some exceptions, primarily due to the potential for vandalism of another user's personalized "Town" in the game.
Friend codes are twelve digits long. Codes for certain games, such as ''Mario Kart DS'' and ''Tetris DS'', are six digits followed by another row of six digits, while other games like ''Animal Crossing'' use codes with three groups of four digits separated by hyphens. If a user needs to replace his or her DS system, then the old system's Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ID can be transferred wirelessly, to maintain the user's original Friend codes on the new machine.

Rivals

The "Rivals" concept was first introduced in ''Metroid Prime Hunters''. After each game, players have the option of adding each other as "Rivals". If both players agree, they are added to each others' "Rivals roster". In the future, the Rivals have the option of playing with each other again. In ''Metroid Prime Hunters' case, Rivals can play game modes and access advanced features that are not available in regular online multiplayer. Rivals still cannot chat with each other. Otherwise, Rivals connect and play like "Friends" can.
Although there is a "Rivals mode" in ''Mario Kart DS'', this does not perform like the above; instead, the player is matched against players of similar skill level, as determined by their progress through the game's single-player modes.
The Rivals list makes a return in ''Custom Robo Arena''.

Wii Number

The "Wii Number" is an identifier unique to each Wii system which operates in a similar manner to the Friend code. The "Address book" in the system's "Message board" feature displays the system's "Wii Number", and allows other users' Wii numbers to be registered.^[3] Mutual exchange of Wii numbers allows messages, cell phone text messages, photos, and Miis to be sent between the Wiis in question over the WiiConnect24 service.^[4] In addition, the Wii can send and receive e-mails by sending a request e-mail that contains a link that, when clicked, activates future two-way communication. The e-mail address for all Wii consoles is w################@wii.com, where # represents a digit in the Wii number. Some games, like Elebits, use WiiConnect24 by sending custom maps to other users in a console's address book. The first announced title in Japan and the USA to use the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection is ''Pokémon Battle Revolution'' which does not use the console's address book, instead using game specific friend codes. The first Nintendo Wi-Fi game in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand is ''Mario Strikers: Charged Football''.

Games

For a list of games played on Wi-Fi for each console, see list of Nintendo DS Wi-Fi Connection games and list of Wii Wi-Fi Connection games.

Internet connection

The Nintendo DS is an IEEE 802.11 device, and a player can access the service via any compatible wireless network. This includes public hotspots as well as personal 802.11b or 802.11g wireless routers, but does not yet include most public hotspots that use a captive portal. Entering the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection setup allows players to configure access to three different networks. A connection can be automatically detected on some routers, especially those that are AOSS-compatible. A user can also manually enter network settings. The Nintendo DS supports WEP encryption but not WPA. However, The Wii is compatible with WEP, WPA and WPA2 encryption methods if you enable wireless security on your router.
In addition to the three connections, the Nintendo DS and Wii can connect through the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector.
Although the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector only officially supports Windows XP-based PCs, the card uses a common Ralink chipset which is supported on many platforms, including OpenBSD and Linux. It does work with Windows Vista, but in order for it to work you have to install the program twice (the first time it will say you are using the wrong operating system, but Windows Vista should recognize this and ask you if you want to reinstall the program with recommended settings. This solves the problem).^[5] Some hackers have modified the official drivers to support an extended set of adaptors with similar chipsets to allow them to act as official Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connectors.^[6] The chipset also means the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector can be used for Wireless Multi Boot. Broadband Internet access is not required to make use of this connectivity, though it is recommended to reduce network latency..
There is no charge for connecting to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection or for playing any Nintendo first-party games. Third-party developers are free to decide whether to charge fees for playing their games through the service. Nintendo is working with hotspot providers to allow free access in public for Nintendo DS users and has already reached such an agreement with Texas-based firm Wayport to provide access in McDonald's Restaurants in the U.S.^[7] Wayport currently provides 6,000 Wi-Fi hotspots (which are not free to non-Nintendo DS users). Connecting to these hotspots does not require configuration on the Nintendo DS, bypassing Wayport's standard login. A similar partnership with FatPort to create free hotspots in Canada was announced by Nintendo of Canada on October 19, 2005.^[8]
25,000 hotspots will be created in Europe, according to Jim Merrick, former Director of Marketing for Nintendo of Europe.^[9] These include 7,500 in UK alone, thanks to a partnership with The Cloud and BT Openzone.
Nintendo of Australia initially announced on November 17, 2005 that they would roll out only 26 hotspots across the country, in partnership with selected Electronics Boutique, Myer and Dick Smith Powerhouse stores. The sheer lack of hotspots came as a surprise to gamers in Australia, meaning that many gamers would have to travel long distances to reach an official hotspot. On April 14 2007, Nintendo announced that over one thousand additional free hotspots have been added in a partnership with Telstra Wireless, providing access in selected hotels, airports, Starbucks cafes, McDonald's restaurants and some streets in the city CBD.
Datel has released a wired LAN adapter for the Wii which plugs into one of the USB 2.0 ports. It comes with a 6 feet long patch cable which then plugs into a DSL modem, cable modem or router.
Datel has also released WiFi Max. It acts like the official Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector except it allows a connection from any Wi-Fi enabled device, ie: laptops, PDAs, etc. It comes with a CD containing drivers for Windows 98SE and higher. There is no mention on any Windows Vista drivers. Linux and Mac systems are not mentioned in the manual as a system requirement.
Hotspot providers with free access to Nintendo DS users:

★ Telstra Wireless (Australia)

★ FatPort (Canada)

★ Meteor Networks (France)

★ T-Com (Germany)

★ EB Games (Australia)

★ ForthNet (Greece)

★ Linkem (Italy)

★ T-Mobile Netherlands (Netherlands)

★ PT-WiFi (Portugal)

★ Telefónica Zonas ADSL (Spain)

★ The Cloud (UK)

★ BT Openzone (UK & Eire)

★ JiWire (USA)

★ Wayport (USA)

Using Nintendo Wi-Fi from Home

You may be able to connect to your own wireless router at home without configuration if you are broadcasting your SSID and not using encryption. In most cases, however, configuration will be required to use the home wireless network; see the technical support link below for more information. Users who do not have wireless routers, but who have a computer with a wireless card and a broadband Internet connection may be able to set up a wireless network using their wireless card, for example, using the "Create Network" capability on a Macintosh computer equipped with an AirPort card. Windows PC users without a wireless router can create a wireless Internet connection for their Nintendo DS or Wii using the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector.

Official website

Nintendo has created the official Nintendo Wi-Fi connection Web site as a portal for gamers looking to access the service or that are in need of troubleshooting assistance. The website has live statistics and data from the service's servers and records high scores and service status. It also allows a user to link his or her Wi-Fi connection ID to a My Nintendo account, although officially the terms of service limit this feature to residents of the US and Canada.

See also

★ List of Nintendo DS Wi-Fi Connection games

★ List of Wii Wi-Fi Connection games

References

1. Medal of Honor Heroes 2 Official Matt Casamassina
2. Nintendo. "How do I get a Friend Code?" Online posting. 28 Dec. 2005. nintendowifi.com FAQs. 26 Dec 2006 [1]
3. Wii Interface Video Demo Matt Casamassina
4. Wii Number and Address Book uncovered Captain
5. "The Registration Tool icon doesn't appear after installation is complete." Nintendo WiFi. 24 April 2007 [2]
6. Xtreme. "USB Wi-Fi to Nintendo Wi-Fi v1.04 Guide & Downloads." Online posting. 28 Dec. 2005. gbadev.org forum. 20 July 2006 [3].
7. "Nintendo and Wayport Join Forces to Bring Free U.S. Wi-Fi Access To Nintendo DS Users." Nintendo.com. 18 Oct. 2005. 20 July 2006 [4].
8. "Nintendo and Fatport Join Forces to Bring Free Wi-Fi Access To Canadian Nintendo DS Users." Nintendo.ca. 19 Oct. 2005. 20 July 2006 [5].
9. "Nintendo of Europe on DS Chat, Revolution." 1UP. 31 Oct. 2005. 20 July 2006 [6].

External links

; Official Sites

★ Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Official Site

★ Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Official Site (Japan)

★ Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Official Site (Korea)

★ PDF Operation Manual

★ Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Spot Hits Theaters

★ Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Technical Support for Nintendo DS and Nintendo DS Lite
; Tutorials

★ Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection on Dial-Up
; Nintendo Online History

★ N-sider.com - NintendOnline