Nintendo pushing DS wireless gaming
Nintendo seems to be going full steam ahead with the wireless capabilities of its DS; they have just announced a
partnership with Buffalo Inc. that will bring
WiFi gaming to both home and retail locations. For the home user, Nintendo will begin selling a USB WiFi dongle on
November 25th that attaches to a gamer's computer and acts as a de facto wireless router for multiplayer gaming. The
partnership with Buffalo will also result in hundreds of "Nintendo hotspots" at videogame retailers in Japan, where
"Nintendo Wi-Fi Stations" will allow users to congregate and connect free of charge. The home-use dongle will ship with
Mario Kart DS, all for the low low price of $52.
[Via The Inquirer, thanks
Dave]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
EnricoSwave @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Isn't there much cheaper options? And what about those of us who already own Wireless routers?
namx @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Will u have 2 have this 2 connect or will you be able to use ur existing wi fi??
John Laur @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
How can they stamp Wi-Fi on a product that is clearly not compatible with 802.anything? I guess maybe the new software titles might indeed make the DS really talk 802.11b; however up until now the protocol has been completely proprietary. Talk to the XLink or Warp Pipe guys about it.
Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Will this help uncover the mystery of DS's wifi API??
CurtSchilling @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
i would imagine this is just a usb adapter wi-fi router... no different than any other router, except it has to connect to your computer instead of your modem.
Brent @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
to Enrico, that's $52 WITH mario kart DS. DS games are $30-35. So you're talking about a $20 wireless router! can you show me a cheaper model available?
Fuzz @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Mike:
The secret mystery has almost been revealed. . .
http://akkit.org/dswifi/
shouldn't be long now.
n8 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
What are you talking about John? Nintendo DS is 802.11b, isn't it? So it should work with any router, any adapter, any access point. I think the idea of selling their own is so that they can make money from it, and so they can make the whole thing work seamlessly. But I don't think their dongle going to be required in order to get online.
EnricoSwave @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Yeah, I saw that.
But it's not really saying it's a router; in fact all it says that it does is connect the DS - not any other PC's, so I am going on the asumption that it only does the DS.
[By the way, 802.11b stuff is cheap now, you can get clearance cards and routers for 20/30 bucks if you look hard enough]
Pip @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
DS does both 802.11b for home wireless access, and its own proprietary protocol that can be used with this USB device if you dont have a wireless router currently.
cecil @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
The protocol is proprietary. Sure it uses 802.11, however the DS does not have a proper TCP/IP stack.
Nintendo had three choices.
1. Try and push a firmware update via a game or some other way to update to a full TCP/IP stack (not likely, or they would have given it to you initially).
2. An external wireless to wireless bridge that you would sit somewhere in the room. Would require configuration for access to the wireless router, bad idea.
3. A Dongle for a computer that is known to be connected to the internet, however that might be. Pop in the disc, driver is installed, pop in the dongle, a big animation of mario can tell you what to do if you are retarded etc.
n8 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Are you sure about that Cecil? If so, that would be monumentally stupid choice by Nintendo. It would limit playing wirelessly to home only - no public hotspots. DS users would be pissed, I think, if that were true. It would certainly make me not want a DS regardless of the games that come out for it.
Andre @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Ugh, so much ignorance.
Nintendo has CONFIRMED that the DS will work at any hotspot. You do not need their wireless adapter; the DS is 802.11b ready. It does not require any firmware update. Your current wireless router will work fine.
The proprietary signal you guys speak of is used only for local wireless games, since it uses less power.
Ian @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
whats the point, can you use it with the DS only?
and its kinda useless outside of your house
Andre @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
n8, Cecil is entirely wrong, as I mentioned above. Don't worry, your DS will work fine with most wireless networks.
AceMilo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Yes cecil is right. The ds does use a 802.11b, but the packets are propriatary, it does not use standard tcp/ip. However, it has already been hacked, and ppl figured out that you can communicate with the ds by using some very specific wifi adapters (Buffalo was at the top of the list so this announcement isn't surprising). At least they are smart enough to bundle it with a game and make it plug and play.
Trejkaz @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Drivers for Linux and Mac, please.
ugyugyu @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
ds is so gay the,psp dosent even need that hahahahaha!
n8 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Well if nothing else Nintendo has succeeded in confusing their core user base. That's not good, even if the DS can be used at hotspots.
Andre @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
"Well if nothing else Nintendo has succeeded in confusing their core user base."
Hardly, this is the only place I've even seen make mention of this. Nintendo themselves have said on numerous occasions the DS will work with current wireless infrastructures.
What's so hard to understand?
matt @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
this had better be Mac compatible or I will sell my DS
Andre @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
"Well if nothing else Nintendo has succeeded in confusing their core user base."
Hardly, this is the only place I've even seen make mention of this. Nintendo themselves have said on numerous occasions the DS will work with current wireless infrastructures.
What's so hard to understand?
Andre @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
"Well if nothing else Nintendo has succeeded in confusing their core user base."
Hardly, this is the only place I've even seen make mention of this. Nintendo themselves have said on numerous occasions the DS will work with current wireless infrastructures.
What's so hard to understand?
Andre @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
What the hell? Please ignore the multiple posts, for some reason this message board keeps sending me e-mails for the same stupid message.
mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
a Mac driver?! Uh, you plug it in, and it works.. that's what happens when you have a closed system like the Mac..
*rolls eyes..
Mac users don't have to worry about drivers...
LInux users, I'm afraid, will have to wait for...
....other linux users to make the driver
:P
KBrew @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Why was I under the impression that DS used both "NiFi" (the Nintendo propriety wireless) and regular 802.11b? I thought the NiFi was for use in a wireless LAN type situation and the WiFi was to play at a hotspot or at home to play people over the Internet.
Brent @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
to Enrico, I suppose you're right. My router cost $70, but I bought it a while back. And I guess this piece of hardware will only work for the DS. But still, $20 isn't bad for a one time fee to play DS games online :)
Kamalot @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
I don't know why people are confused.
The DS will work wirth your regular Wi-Fi router in your home.
If you don't have a Wi-Fi router, you can pick up one of these usb Wi-Fi things.
The DS will work with other Wi-Fi hot spots around town.
The DS does not have the TCP/IP stack built into the hardware.
The TCP/IP stack will be included in the Wi-Fi games like Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Tony Hawk, and Metroid Prime Hunters.
If you already have a Wi-Fi router and a DS, you are set.
KirbyMeister @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
TO EVERYONE: This adapter is 802.11b-compliant. The Nintendo Wi-Fi connection uses 802.11b hotspots. The proprietary wireless is clearly NOT marketed as Wi-Fi, 802.11*, or any related term. It's just called 'local wireless multiplayer'. All a game has to do, above and beyond the normal coding rituals for console multiplayer, to use the Nintendo Wi-Fi infrastructure is implement it's own IP stack, which is probably in the official developer's SDK for the Wi-Fi infrastructure anyway.
vrf @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Guys, Nintendo has already stated multiple times that the DS will work at regular hotspots. The stack is in the wi-fi compatible games.
Jay @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Are you a bunch of moron's or what!
First off, thanks to Nintendo for getting a USB WiFi adapter out i nthe first place!
Now to all your dumb & retarted questions:-
Ninty has released this coz msot people don't have a Wi-Fi setup just plain wired setup.
So you can connect this dongle to your PC & share the internet connection via ur PC for the DS. It's jsut like having 2 LAN cards in ur PC, just the 2nd LAN card is this adapter so it can connect to the DS.
I already have 2 LAN cards on my work PC on which I play thru XLink. LAN card no.1 has the ISP wire attached to it & the 2nd LAN card has a crossover cable attached to my XBOX or PS2.
Yes I also already have tried palying PSP with a USB WiFi adapter just like this one..!
DS is fully compatible with all Wi-Fi equipement or else why would they eve nsay this is WiFi enabled? call it another name then!
Yes you will also be able to use this adapter on other equipment as well like ur PSP.
All USB adapters (LAN,FlashDrivesetc..) are supposed to be Plug n' Play in WINXP.
Just another note to enable internet connection sharing you need to have WINXP Professional.
Virtuous @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
No US network (yawn)
Trejkaz @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
A little game joining room which runs in the firmware itself would be great for finding other players or friends so that you don't have to wait to get into a game to find out that it's full of 15 year old losers (see: Counter-Strike.)
Omega X @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Virtuous.
The United States already has hot spots. In MANY cities. Use your own connection if you don't want to use a hot spot.
stef109 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
I was wandering if ou will need a wireless router and the nintendo WIFI usb because i have broadband but its not wireless. So will i still be able to take the DS online if i just use the Ninty USB WIFI Stick,
kzmk @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
@stef109: The USB adapter allows for exactly that. Plug it into your computer, and your computer will act as the hotspot. IF you already have a wireless router, then there is no need for the USB thingy, because the DS will happily use the router.
The whole idea of the USB WiFi gadget is to allow people internet play without having to buy a wireless router.
DAve @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
So basically, this is just a branded USB wi-fi stick + a mario game. Nothing else?
If you dont like mario, you can get a better usb wifi stick for around a tenner (UK squid) + make sure it works on mac / linux too.
e.g. this linysys 1: http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=11650287082&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=37480
Beopenguin @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
It would be quite nice if I could read an article about a game system where somebody of some intelligence writes something other than "how gay brand y is, brand x is better". It also amazes me that so many gadget hounds haven't read other posts about this subject stating that the DS can and will use your home router. AND that you do not need the help of a dongle to get online unless you do not have a wireless router. Everybody starts getting in a tizzy about it and starts the misinfomation.
I almost wish gadget sites wouldn't post anything about PSP or DS because I'm sick of all this fanboy crap.
(Stepping off his soapbox)
PiratePete @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
So what kinda security is gonna be on this thing? Seems like it will be very easy to hack into. Glad Ninty is coming out with this. Makes me want to get a DS even more (Have a PSP:). I can see how the DS is more about having fun and making it easer for peps to get togeather.
Good job
Jay @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Will the Ds work with apple airport extreme which uses 802.11g instead of 802.11b. Why wont the DS adapter work for macs!
James @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
"Why wont the DS adapter work for macs!"
Same reson why most companys don't support macs (at first) there not as important because a huge % of people are using PCs. I'm guessing they will add mac suppor later.
Shax @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
Well, as for me, i've got my hotspot set up + runnin' at home. Can't wait for Mario Kart + Metroid Prime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PSP can suck my ebay-bought thumb-strap!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
(as for the wifi usb from nintendo, ain't it pretty self explanatory? You buy it, plug it in and play. Nintendo once again makes life easy.)
Indigo @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
So this dongle won't be Mac Compatible then?
timebomb @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
so u CAN use this thing the same way u can use any other router
pls email me yoyur responce march4_2@yahoo.com
Raymond Day @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
I got 802.11a now all you see is 802.11c right? So getting any 802.11 router my not work if it don't do 802.11b right?
I want to get the DS now because of mario cart wirless. I remembmer Xband playing on that. Was so run but I could not afound the on line cost. But I herd this DS one is free!
-Raymond Day
Raymond Day @ Dec 19th 2005 2:37AM
I should of said 802.11g are in stores the most now. So Mario Cart if it uses 802.11b will not work with them right?
All so because I can't edit what I typed before. I ment it was so "fun" playing Mario Cart on Xband on the SNES.
-Raymond Day