--Nintendo WiFi Connection FAQ & Info-- *GAMES, help, routers, more!*

Nintendo WiFi Connection
FAQ & Info Thread
Welcome, fellow Nintendo DS gamers! This thread was designed over a year ago, and is currently in version 4.

Basically, this was set up to be a spot for Nintendo DS Gamers to come to find out about the Nintengdo WiFi Connection.

Please read the first page before asking any questions (to cut down on duplicate questions)
Also, please note that I am not alwayson GameSpot myself, so any others are free to answer questions, as long as they know what they're talking about.

IF YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS, PLEASE PM ME!

Table of Contents

I. The Multiplayer/Nintendo WiFi Connection
II. WiFi/Hotspots
III. Routers/The Nintendo WiFi USB Adapter
IV. Encrypted Networks and Your DS
V. "Nintendo WiFi Unveiled" Interview
VI. Typical Wireless Network Diagram
VII. www.nintendowifi.com: Features
VIII. Nintendo WiFi Connection-compatible Games
IX. FAQ
X. Friend Codes...? [NEW!!]
XI. Links
XII. Credits
XIII. Thread Updates

Nintendo DS Multiplayer Modes

Back at E3 2004, Reggie FIls-Aime promised online gameplay possibilities with the Nintendo DS at its unveiling. However, there was much doubt that Nintendo's plans would continue, because of their total disregard for Nintendo GameCube's online capabilities.

At the 2005 Game Developer's Conference, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata confirmed that the "Nintendo WiFi Connection" is well under way in development.

After less than a year after the system's release, the Nintendo WiFi Connection launched in the United Stateson November 14, 2005.

There is much confusion surrounding the game's multiplayer modes. Popular magazines list the local wireless multiplayer mode as "WiFi", when it's really not. That is just local wireless play.

The other multiplayer mode, as you know, is truly WiFi; The Nintendo WiFi Connection. The only thing you need to connect is a DS, a Nintendo WiFi Connection-compatible game, and a wireless router or USB adapter with a brodbad internet connection.

WiFi / Hotspots

WiFi, or Wireless Fidelidy, is basically wireless internet.

Anywhere where there is a wireless router offering a connection, there is a hotspot. "Hotspot" is just a term used to say "WiFi is offered in this area". Therefore, you must be in a hotspot to play on the Nintendo WiFi Connection.

Routers and the USB Adapter

Wireless routers take an internet connection and split it up into radio waves that your DS can communicate with internet servers with. (This also works with PCs with wireless network cards). The USB adapter does the same, but only works with the Nintendo DS (and possibly Revolution). Buy the USB Adapter here!!

Got a 2-Link router? They tell you how to set it up with the DS!

Routers vs. USB Adapter

Using Routers
Pros:
- Can be used with computers
- Can have more DSes connected than the USB adapter
Cons:
- Ranges from $37 to well into the hundreds.
- You need to program your DS to communicate with it
- Possibly big, bulky

Using the USB Adapter ($34.99)
Pros:
- Possibly cheaper than router
- No setup to play online (turn on the DS and play)
- Small, can take it anywhere easily
Cons:
- Can only be used with Windows XP.
- Only 5 DSes can connect at one time.
- Can't be used to connect computers to a network
- Can only be bought online at Nintendo's Store (as of now, Reggie says they have plans to retail it in stores)

Which one do I recommend? Well, that's up to you, and how each one fits your situation!

Encrypted Networks and Your DS

The DS supports only WEP Encryption. Therefore, you will need to enter your WEP key into the DS.

To find your WEP key, (in most routers), you need to type the router's IP address into a browser and there you can modify and find its settings, including the WEP key.

For troubleshooting, click here.

"Nintendo WiFi Unveiled" Interview

Sorry for any inconvenience, but this interview is so large that it is a nuiscance to have in this thread because of the character limits. But I have put it into a text file here.

Typical Wireless Network (by yellonet)

Link: http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y27/cubedman990/JPG_WiFiRevoDS.jpg

www.nintendowifi.com is an amazing website. It looks cool, and its got great features. Here are some of the collest (that I've found):

- Find compatible hotspots near you (from Nintendo this time)
- About the USB Connector
- Nintendo's FAQ
- Game Tech Support
- Nintendo's WiFi Connection Forums
- The Game Hub (coolest feature ever!)
- The Current Nintendo WiFi Connection Status
- Supported Routers

The Game Hub, like I said, is an amazing feature. If you are a My Nintendo (which is free) member, you can link your DS WiFi Connection ID to your account and track your scores, how much you play each game, top scores for a game, how often you've played in the last 2 weeks, what games you play online, and overall activity by day/night over last two weeks.
It is truly an amazing website, filled with information to help anyone who needs it.

Nintendo WiFi Connection Games

Nintendo WiFi Connection games are in development, but here are the already-released ones:

- Mario Kart DS
- Tony Hawk's American Sk8land
- Animal Crossing: Wild World
- Metroid Prime Hunters
- Star Fox Command
- Tetris DS

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What do I need to buy to play online?
A. All you need is an online-compatible game. But you also need brodband internet
and a 802.11b or 802.11g wireless router.

Q. Can I play a game online against someone in another country?
A. Yes, if you are both connected and in the same game. There is no region differences
with any component of the Nintendo DS, excluding different power supplies.

Q. Does DSL service count as brodband internet?
A. Yes

Q. How will you get through a firewall/password-protected internet connection?
A. Yes, WEP Encryption is supported. Firewalls will need to be configured to allow your DS access.

Q. If I went to a store right now and bought a DS and brought it to Starbucks,
would I be able to play online?
A. Not unless you have Mario Kart DS, Tony Hawk's AMerican Sk8land, Animal Crossing: Wild World, or Metroid Prime Hunters!

Q. What about Metroid Prime: Hunters? Will this be WiFi or LAN only?
A. At one point, MPH was confirmed to be LAN-only. But according to the
Official Metroid Prime Hunters website,
NST has decided to delay the game to 2006 to incorporate WiFi compatibility.

Q. Will I get cancer from the wireless?
A. No, WiFi uses Radio Frequency signals, which don't harm us humans.
(Same as the DS's LAN play, WaveBird wireless controllers, cell phones,etc.)

Q. What if I have 56k and/or don't have a wireless router?
A. You can go to www.wififreespot.com to seach your state for free WiFi
hotspots offered (US only)... Or you can go to a friend's house with WiFi and play.

Q. Will I need to connect my router DS?
A. Nope, there is nothing to connect besides the router to the computer + modem, unless you get the USB adapter.

Q. Where is my WEP key?
A. In most routers, you can find this by entering your router's IP addrsess into a browser and accessing its settings.

Q. Does my friend code change between games?
A. Yes, every game that you have will assign you a different friend code when you connect for the first time.

Friend Codes....?

Friend codes are the way you can play online with your friends. They are unique, 12-digit numbers assigned to you the first time you connect with a game. In order for you and someone to be friends, you both need to have each other's friend codes (ala "Tracking Users" on GameSpot).

Links

- Buy the USB Adapter here!!
- www.nintendowifi.com - Official Nintendo WiFi Conenction website
----- Find compatible hotspots near you (from Nintendo this time)
----- About the USB Connector
----- Nintendo's FAQ
----- Game Tech Support
----- Nintendo's WiFi Connection Forums
----- The Game Hub (coolest feature ever!)
----- The Current Nintendo WiFi Connection Status
----- Supported Routers

- Wikipedia.org - Look up any terms and you'll find them!
- www.wififreespot.com - Look up free WiFi Hotspots in the USA (not guaranteed compatible, however)
- Wi-Fi.org's FAQ On WiFi
- Nintendo WiFi Connection Movie Theater Advertisement
- The Nintendo WiFi Connection (UCB)

Credits
-00stick
- AnimeArtist
-Alleycat81
-tinkie27
-Omocowa
-To the mods who have floated this thread and the older one: BanY, Robbie_IV, and MrCHUP0N
-BanY who created the original Nintendo DS board, (aka Nintendo DS ver. 1), now known as Nintendo WiFi Connection, which was the reason I joined GameSpot's community!
-Sinerster
-yellonet

Last Update + Info

Updates: Monday, August 28, 2006
----Sorry, I haven't been around; I updated the WiFi games list

Updated: Tuesday, January 3, 2006
-----Added text titles to thread because images were disabled.
Updated: Wednesday, January 4, 2006
-----Added 2Link's link to setting up the DS with their routers

This thread was originally found on Nintendo DS board (UCB), then moved to The Official Nintendo DS Board, and The 100% DS Board. Made over a year ago, back when I was level 3 or 4!

[Reserved for future updates, mostly interviews and other information. Not trying to be overkill, but I just realized how large that interview was, and how big future ones may be.]

Hiya,

I got a question, when I'm playing with a friend (multiplayer) we both have a European DS, when I import AW:DS from USA, am I still able to play multiplayer with a friend?

Bye,
Gamernl
thegamernl

[QUOTE="thegamernl"]Hiya,

I got a question, when I'm playing with a friend (multiplayer) we both have a European DS, when I import AW:DS from USA, am I still able to play multiplayer with a friend?

Bye,
Gamernl
sp0inK

So your friend will also need to import AW:DS from the USA.

[QUOTE="sp0inK"][QUOTE="thegamernl"]Hiya,

I got a question, when I'm playing with a friend (multiplayer) we both have a European DS, when I import AW:DS from USA, am I still able to play multiplayer with a friend?

Bye,
Gamernl
cubedman990

So your friend will also need to import AW:DS from the USA.

[QUOTE="cubedman990"]

[QUOTE="sp0inK"][QUOTE="thegamernl"]Hiya,

I got a question, when I'm playing with a friend (multiplayer) we both have a European DS, when I import AW:DS from USA, am I still able to play multiplayer with a friend?

Bye,
Gamernl
sp0inK

So your friend will also need to import AW:DS from the USA.

lol

[QUOTE="sp0inK"][QUOTE="cubedman990"]

[QUOTE="sp0inK"][QUOTE="thegamernl"]Hiya,

I got a question, when I'm playing with a friend (multiplayer) we both have a European DS, when I import AW:DS from USA, am I still able to play multiplayer with a friend?

Bye,
Gamernl
cubedman990

So your friend will also need to import AW:DS from the USA.

lol