Nintendo may launch USB WiFi adapter for DS online

[score]

From GamesIndustry.Biz: (http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=10136)

Unconfirmed reports this week indicate that Nintendo is planning to launch a branded WiFi adapter which users without existing wireless network gear can plug into their PCs to let them go online with the Nintendo DS - and Revolution.

[Savok]

Please be true, please be true, please be true

[kwillhan]

I work at radioshack and have been selling several different USB WiFi network adapters for at least a year now. So I'm not sure what they are going to do that is special beyond writing Nintendo on the side of it.

if it comes out and it's above 29.99, come see me, and I'll get you the crappy, LinkSys, or Motorola version for less.

kelly

kelly

[PotatoNinja]

This could seriously kick multiple flavors of ass if they don't screw it up.

Please please please please Nintendo give us downloadable demos pretty please please!

[TrackZero]

Yeah, I thought I read this somewhere last week. Sounds like a reasonable idea to make getting online Wifi easy for the masses.

I also remember the article I read indicated this will work for both the DS and the revolution, FYI.

[TrackZero]

I work at radioshack and have been selling several different USB WiFi network adapters for at least a year now. So I'm not sure what they are going to do that is special beyond writing Nintendo on the side of it.

if it comes out and it's above 29.99, come see me, and I'll get you the crappy, LinkSys, or Motorola version for less.

kelly

kelly

Keyword: Crappy

;)

[Kamalot]

This only makes sense.

There are people out there that don't have a Wi-Fi access point set up at home (hard to imagine). A Nintendo solution would give them a cheap and (more importantly) EASY way to get online with their DS and Revolution.

I like the fact that playing online with Nintendo will be free. I hate the feeling of throwing money down the drain for Live's peer-to-peer gaming, something that is free on the PC.

[LilAbner]

Does anyone really believe that even if Nintendo releases this, that they'll support it? Silly rabbits.

[Blade]

I'd buy it.

[Draft]

Unconfirmed reports further suggest that the adapter will come with a hard drive preloaded with 100 of the best loved NES and Super NES titles. It will also have a playable demo of the upcoming Zelda title, Twilight Princess. Furthermore, it will be in the shape of a VR helmet, like that video from a while back, and wearing it will make chicks weak in the knees. Don't quote me on that last part.

[CapnBob]

Hey Abner... it's getting support with MarioKart and Animal Crossing. I'll get at least a year's worth of use out of those two alone.

[EvilBob46]

There are people out there that don't have a Wi-Fi access point set up at home (hard to imagine).

Waaah? I think that includes most people.

[Savok]

Nothing wrong with my old router, see no need to get a wireless one.

[mkelehan]

There's no maybe about it. Nintendo announced it at their pre-E3 conference.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I would love this.

[Heretic Machine]

I just don't understand what the advantage is to this Nintendo router. I mean, if it functions on the same level as a Linksys router, then that's cool and I'll probably buy one (I need a second one anyhow). But if it only works for the Revolution and DS, then it'll be pretty worthless for anything more than $15.

I think I need more info.

[Chandler]

If this means that DS couldn't linkup with normal wi-fi routers, than that is bull crap. But I reckon this is just for people who don't have wi-fi routers.

[mkelehan]

I just don't understand what the advantage is to this Nintendo router. I mean, if it functions on the same level as a Linksys router, then that's cool and I'll probably buy one (I need a second one anyhow). But if it only works for the Revolution and DS, then it'll be pretty worthless for anything more than $15.

I think I need more info.
I'll tell you the exact advantage: ease of use. You and I can set up a router and put our computers on a home network, sharing a cable or DSL modem. Joe Animal Crossing couldn't begin to do so. But ask him to plug a little thing into a USB port, and maybe put in a CD and click "install" for some ridiculously automated software, and Nintendo has increased its audience significantly.

Everyone has internet and USB. Most people don't have a wireless router. And as Nintendo said when they announced this at E3, they don't care if you have broadband or dialup.

[Heretic Machine]

I'll tell you the exact advantage: ease of use. You and I can set up a router and put our computers on a home network, sharing a cable or DSL modem. Joe Animal Crossing couldn't begin to do so. But ask him to plug a little thing into a USB port, and maybe put in a CD and click "install" for some ridiculously automated software, and Nintendo has increased its audience significantly.

Well, it's really not hard to setup a router... at all. Most of them come preset to work for most situations. I'm still kind of wondering how Nintendo is going to handle wireless security though. I mean, I'm not just going to leave my router wide open so I can play my DS, ya'know?

[Rommel]

I just don't understand what the advantage is to this Nintendo router.

It will introduce people who have no idea what a wireless router is to the concept. It will have more exposure in actual gaming stores as well. This would be a great move. The purple color and toy-like charm Nintendo will no doubt place upon it could greatly expand wifi in this country.

What? I never said everything about Nintendo was bad!

[Rangoth]

Here is to hoping that Nintendo does this online DS thing right!

[Neverborne]

Unconfirmed reports further suggest that the adapter will come with a hard drive preloaded with 100 of the best loved NES and Super NES titles. It will also have a playable demo of the upcoming Zelda title, Twilight Princess. Furthermore, it will be in the shape of a VR helmet, like that video from a while back, and wearing it will make chicks weak in the knees. Don't quote me on that last part.

hehehe...it is people like you who ruin the internet as a valid news source.

I like it.

[Rangoth]

I try to be a ruin as much as I can ;)

[Nintendo Revolution]

Does anyone really believe that even if Nintendo releases this, that they'll support it? Silly rabbits.

Hmm, we'll see about that.

This topic was rumored about 6 months ago. Here was the screenshot that commonly appeared:

http://www.4colorrebellion.com/media/pics/jan/wifi_ds.jpg

[Neverborne]

This is a little off topic.

I was paging through the current issue of Nintendo Power (bought it for the E3 dvd), and, on page 50, there is a picture of Miyamoto holding a powder blue DS. Here's the wierd part: the DS he's holding has something sticking out of the expansion port (where you plug the power cord in). It is little, gray, and looks kind of like a USB flash drive.

Anyone have any idea what the hell that is.

[Nintendo Revolution]

I'm looking at that right now, and I'm 80% sure that it was used to project, or signal the DS onto a screen (TV, or whatever it used).

[mkelehan]

Well, it's really not hard to setup a router... at all. Most of them come preset to work for most situations. I'm still kind of wondering how Nintendo is going to handle wireless security though. I mean, I'm not just going to leave my router wide open so I can play my DS, ya'know?

Not for us. And even if the average person could do it, there's enough of a perceived hassle for it not to happen. This makes it ludicrously simple.

[Nintendo Revolution]

The Nintendo DS is aimed for a market of not only hardcore gamers, but mainstream gamers and an audience who doesn't play games. To capture a large percentage of the Nintendo DS' userbase and bring it online means that it must have an easy setup. Plug and play.

[mister_slim]

I'm sure we'll see some wireless routers with 'DS and Revolution Ready' stamped on them, probably from Broadcom.

[if76]

I think this should come included with the Revolution since they're forgoing an ethernet jack on the system. I have no problem plugging my xbox into my wired network and as much as I love the whole wireless revolution all the console manufacturers are obsessed with, I've never had stability issues with my wired network like I have with my wifi.

[Rangoth]

Can you still even do a secure connection with the XBOX on a wi-fi network? I personally have nitemares just thinking of setting it all up...the XBOX, the PS2, bitch rigging the Dreamcast >shudders<

[LilAbner]

Hey Abner... it's getting support with MarioKart and Animal Crossing. I'll get at least a year's worth of use out of those two alone.

Hehehe...fair enough, Bob........fair enough.

[TrackZero]

I'm looking at that right now, and I'm 80% sure that it was used to project, or signal the DS onto a screen (TV, or whatever it used).

I'm fairly certain that's what it's for as well.

[Savok]

I think this should come included with the Revolution since they're forgoing an ethernet jack on the system.
That's a good idea, they shouldn't be that expensive to make and gives real Internet access out of the box..