Nintendo's DS Lite orders food, shows replays at Safeco Field

Those looking for a little more interaction at Safeco Field this season need only bring their DS Lite and a few extra bucks. This season, Nintendo is trialing the Nintendo Fan Network at the home of the Seattle Mariners, which enables onlookers to "order food and drinks, watch the live television feed of the game, access stats and scores, and play trivia from the comfort of their seat." The quietly introduced pilot program has brought several kiosks to the park, which uploads a program to the DS Lite and enables the WiFi-equipped handheld to take part in the bonus festivities. Eventually, the Big N hopes to expand the system into other stadiums, but for now, Mariners fans can get in on the action for $5 per game, or $30 for ten games.

[Image courtesy of Flickr]

[brad @ Jul 9th 2007 9:33AM]

This is exactly what our fatass'es need...now we dont even have to get up to order that $6 beer and $5 hotdog...screw burning calories by having to walk some stairs more than once a game!

[wslcrew @ Jul 9th 2007 9:48AM]

Even without this DS thing, people still can have hotdogs and beer without having to walk. For years, they have a person carrying & selling these goods around the ballparks.

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 9th 2007 9:56AM]

Have you been to a game...ever?

[Kaz @ Jul 9th 2007 10:32AM]

Waaah Waaah.... STFU

[Chuckles McGee @ Jul 9th 2007 10:33AM]

"Have you been to a game...ever?"

Completely agree. $5 hotdogs? What century is that guy from? Try $10, past-boy. And we use things called bats now, not the animal bone clubs you used to play with.

[Naysayer @ Jul 9th 2007 9:50AM]

"order food and drinks, watch the live television feed of the game, access stats and scores, and play trivia from the comfort of their seat."


You have to be kidding me. People are going to fork out money to get a tiny-ass screen to watch the game WHILE THEY ARE AT THE GAME.


...I seriously hope this idea crashes really hard and fast.

[error2k2 @ Jul 9th 2007 10:28AM]

you do realise it "replays from the television feed that were unavailable in the stadium". If you can turn back time too see what you missed then by all means ignore it, I'm sure others will be more than happy to see what they missed because they had to go to the John or something.

[Big @ Jul 9th 2007 9:59AM]

Would it not be cheaper to offer WiFi access to people who bring their own PMP's like PSP and DS, Iphone/ PDA's to ball games for ballpark services?

You'd probably make alot more money as a park manager if you could cue up food orders/ t-shirt orders, and other novelties digitaly, rather than doom people to long lines.

[Jonny Rock @ Jul 9th 2007 8:20PM]

Cheaper? Maybe, maybe not. But the real reason it's only being done with DS's is because the M's are now owned by Nintendo.

Well, a former Nintendo executive. He bought the whole team a few years back.

[Jay @ Jul 9th 2007 10:08AM]

Hey, I agree with the Wi-Fi comment, but you have to look at the field. This is Nintendo's home turf. They are going to want to entice people to buy more DS Lites, and to use them and pay the $5 fee.

[J. Evans Turner @ Jul 9th 2007 10:33AM]

Let's be clear. This works with any Nintendo DS system. It does not require a DS Lite. They differ only in appearance, not in function.

[HyperHacker @ Jul 9th 2007 12:37PM]

It is possible for a game to tell which it's running on, so writing a program that refuses to run on the original isn't out of the question. It'd just be stupid.

[J. Evans Turner @ Jul 9th 2007 10:34AM]

The touch interface of the NDS could be put to very good use. Still, I believe that Nintendo will eventually stop charging for it and simply add commercials to the streamed content.

[JoeJaguar @ Jul 9th 2007 10:40AM]

I haven't used it, and from my understanding you can actually rent one at the game as well. Safeco Field is one of the nicest, if not nicest stadium in the league and I'd hate to see someone not explore the stadium because they felt they got the whole experience of the stadium. Saying this however, as a fairly regular attendee I will be exploring the option of a) renting one at the stadium or b) borrowing a friends to see how freaking cool this is. Oh how I love gadgets. :)

[Josef F @ Jul 9th 2007 10:41AM]

J. Evans Turner : "Let's be clear. This works with any Nintendo DS system. It does not require a DS Lite. They differ only in appearance, not in function."

That's not 100% true. The original DS has a deeper GBA card-slot. Expansion cards designed to fit in the DSLite slot and sit flush with the edge (like the new web browser), will not work in the original DS.

[shamowfski @ Jul 9th 2007 10:56AM]

In this instance though, it does look like it should work with any DS, because it's a download. The PR (if there is one) probably says DS Lite though because that's all you can buy in stores now.

[Andy S. @ Jul 9th 2007 12:44PM]

Actually, the web browser memory expansion pack (the only part of the DS browser package that would be specific to the DS Lite) is available in standard GBA-size carts for the original DS.

[Tim @ Jul 9th 2007 11:08AM]

So how come no one is complaining about how this is a copy of Sony?
http://www.joystiq.com/2007/03/30/forget-the-field-watch-the-soccer-match-on-your-psp/

[p-diddy @ Jul 9th 2007 11:27AM]

Because nobody actually owns a PSP.

Or watches soccer.

I keeeed! I keeeeed!

I know, I know. PSP is great. Only us U.S. of A'ers don't watch football.

[Ricksta @ Jul 9th 2007 11:12AM]

Anyone remember the pod racing scene in SW episode 1? The audience had devices that would show video of the race. This idea is sort of the same thing, if you can't see the whole event, just take a look at your video player. A system like this would work for road races, bicycle races, etc. Your at the event AND get to see the whole thing without events spending big bucks on Jumbotrons.

[Tim @ Jul 9th 2007 11:40AM]

I can see this being a great way to keep kids involved at the game and keeping them (and parents) away from impatiently waiting in lines. Nice idea and format to test this out.

[Trae @ Jul 9th 2007 12:09PM]

Yes the service is downloaded so it should work with all DS systems.

The Ballpark in Arlington (Texas Rangers) is also offering this service. I think it's a good idea for Nintendo but also feel that all WiFi systems should have access.

[siriusfox @ Jul 9th 2007 12:12PM]

This is a little late. They started doing this as a beta thing last season. One seaction in the 300 deck would get these to try out for the game. This is not a new thing they are trying out, they know how well it works, and the know what needs to be changed.

When my Dad was in one of the first test batches, and he said that the only problem with the device is either you were using it, or watching the game. If they added say a scorecard part to it, then it would become a more practical device, as it would become interactive.

[DG @ Jul 9th 2007 12:47PM]

I've noticed this while at Safeco this season. The problem is, only big f'n nerds carry their Nintendo DS Lite's to baseball games. As much as I'd like to bring my DS and try the service, I would be far too embroiled in nerd shame to do so.

I'm going to see the M's/Tigers this Thursday. Maybe I'll bring my DS, but probably not.

[strider_mt2k @ Jul 9th 2007 12:58PM]

-and you could keep up with the action takin' a wizz!

(Although good luck with THAT juggling act.)

(-and wash you hands, will ya? We got Nachos here!)

[Jason @ Jul 9th 2007 1:15PM]

The news here isn't that Nintendo is doing something novel, or that you need a DS. It's that places are starting to open their eyes and start using tools in innovative ways. As an iPhone owner, this excites the hell out of me. How great will it be when all sorts of locations begin offering customized experiences for those with powerful, pocket-sized devices. With my iPhone, I can imagine doing all sorts of great things with an iphone specific, web-based application hosted by ballpark stadiums, concert halls, movie theaters, you name it. As more and more people have these tools in their pockets, it'll be more and more likely to have killer tools at unexpected places.

[Dak.Peoples @ Jul 9th 2007 1:15PM]

Nintendo own the Mariners. Doesn't surprise me.

[Lester Cook @ Jul 9th 2007 1:18PM]

This would be great at Wrigley where there isn't a Jumbotron to watch replays on!! Get it to the Cubs!

[James @ Jul 9th 2007 1:56PM]

Does this mean that if you turn your DS off, you have to trek back to the download station and re-install it?

Ick.

I guess people spend crazy money at ballgames anyway (it's almost as bad as movie theater concession stands!), but I can't imagine there's *too* much crossover between sports fans rabid enough to shell out for this, and the DS fan base. Maybe I'm wrong?

[Mike @ Jul 9th 2007 4:05PM]

"Does this mean that if you turn your DS off, you have to trek back to the download station and re-install it?

Ick."

Ever heard of sleep mode?????

[Rainier @ Jul 9th 2007 2:09PM]

Neat! Can I control the batter's stance with my stylus too? ;)

[Cameron @ Jul 9th 2007 6:37PM]

this thread is a prime example of what's wrong with engadget comment threads: people bitching just to bitch. if you don't like the idea, then don't bring your nintendo DS to the game, or don't buy one in the first place. is it really any skin off your neck that someone ELSE is enjoying something cool?