Nintendo Wi-Fi hits speed bump

Nintendowifi.com reports online network "experiencing imtermittent problems," slowing down Mario Kart DS online play.

Yesterday, Nintendo DS fans jumped for joy as the company launched its new Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, allowing gamers to play Mario Kart DS and Tony Hawk's American Sk8land against others across the Internet. Unfortunately, the launch did not go without a hitch.

On the Nintendowifi.com Web site, the service's status is described as "Global Wi-Fi Service is experiencing intermittent problems." Digging further into the site, the problems apparently are related to Mario Kart DS--Nintendo has pegged the game as experiencing online difficulties and Tony Hawk as problem-free.

The reason for and extent of the problems aren't detailed, but the Web site offers one solution:

"Our experience has shown that the majority of problems with wireless multiplayer gaming are caused by signal interference from other devices (wireless LAN, microwave ovens, cordless devices, computers). We recommend moving to another location or turn off the interfering devices."

34 Comments

  • korn18m

    Posted Dec 6, 2005 11:07 pm PT

    Looks like Kish needs to do some research their selves.

  • cookien64

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 12:08 pm PT

    it was not a worldwide launch europe dont get it till the 25th

  • chrisdojo

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 11:06 am PT

    some problems should be expected. the service is brand new....

  • KishSquared

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 6:55 am PT

    Worst article I've ever read - no research done whatsoever. The website gives status updates on how the servers are handling. If they were bogged down that should be no surprise - it was the WORLDWIDE launch day!

    The "solution" the author mentions is one that has been on the site since day one, and it's referring to solving problems with connectivity AT HOME, not problems with their servers.

    Looks like this author decided to visit the website for 10 minutes and write an article on what he found... If you're going to write an article about how the service is handling itself, at least do some real research, don't just go web surfing.

  • taddia

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 2:26 am PT

    Sry for the double post....

  • taddia

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 2:25 am PT

    Halomastaman, Ya are the most stupid and arrogant guy I've hever "met"..
    How can ya say something like that?
    Bring proof instead of blabbermouthing like that...
    And then,again with the graphic story?
    How old are ya boy?
    I think 5,without offense for 5 aged guys!!
    Graphic can be lower on a system and the game can still be outstanding(just look the ps2...).
    The psp better than ds?
    Well,don't know for sure...
    That based on individual taste:for me,i'm going for a ds,just for the whole touching&speaking console thing!

  • taddia

    Posted Nov 17, 2005 2:24 am PT

    Halomastaman, Ya are the most stupid and arrogant guy I've hever "met"..
    How can ya say something like that?
    Bring proof instead of blabbermouthing like that...
    And then,again with the graphic story?
    How old are ya boy?
    I think 5,without offense for 5 aged guys!!
    Graphic can be lower on a system and the game can still be outstanding(just look the ps2...).
    The psp better than ds?
    Well,don't know for sure...
    That based on individual taste:for me,i'm going for a ds,just for the whole touching&speaking console thing!

  • PrezKennedy

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 10:07 pm PT

    halomastaman, you just blew out my fanboyism meter. Quiet down and go back to your silly Halo games.

  • linktheking

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 9:18 pm PT

    halomastaman, if your not with 'tendo,
    don't post here!

  • halomastaman

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 7:18 pm PT

    I think the worst thing about this is that there are people dumb enough to waste their money on a DS when PSP or even nothing at all is better then DS. Who cares about Nintendo? The 64 was the last good thing they have done, and it will always be the last good thing for Nintendo. I bet the Revolution's graphics will almost be up to the Xbox and PS2, haha!

  • corparate

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 6:05 pm PT

    Well since about 1:30 last night online has been nothing but perfect for me, although yesterday they was alot of problems, now they seem to all be fix, and the online modes seem to be working better than I ever could ever dream of.

  • LionsGate

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 6:00 pm PT

    Well I just got the game today(damn Best Buy). It's well worth the wait, and the online mode is just icing on the cake to me. Animal Crossing DS will have much better wifi features I am sure. Text chat and mail all the way! If you don't have a DS you NEED to get one, I don't regret it anymore.

  • fasteddie412

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 5:30 pm PT

    Maybe the drive up headsets and microwaves at McDonalds are to blame.

  • ILLPALAZZOO

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 4:49 pm PT

    hahaha i saw this coming a mile away.

  • TuxTech007

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 9:45 am PT

    When it works (late last night and a little this morning) online is fantastic. No lag, quick matchups. The mysterious disconnects from people that are losing gets a little old though. Game is going to be great...once they get the problems fixed.

  • Yagami-Iori

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 8:13 am PT

    Most new services when put up tend to be shaky, look at any new MMO when it goes online. It's back up & was available for friends games, so it was all good last night

  • mini-mario

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 7:19 am PT

    @Ganondolfz

    Remove the online mode of MKDS?! If there's one reason to buy the game it's because of that.

  • KimimaroSan

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 6:03 am PT

    "Global Wi-Fi Gaming Service Fully Operational"
    ...

  • MasterKevosavi

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 4:25 am PT

    Looks like they have fixed it. The site now says "Global Wi-Fi Gaming Service Fully Operational".

  • widergames

    Posted Nov 16, 2005 12:23 am PT

    The solution that gamespot took from the website is crap... I can play Socom on the PSP all day long on my network with no problem. I can't even finish a race without the DS dropping the connection! Nintendo did a poor job of stress testing their Mario Cart servers in the beta. I like Nintendo, but this is unacceptable from a 20+ year Video Gaming company.

  • DynamiteGA

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 9:42 pm PT

    Eh, it works... been playing all night.

  • isawthelight

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 9:25 pm PT

    No worries Nintendo will fix it. I don't have the game, but I really plan on making this the first online game I purchase.

  • Themage

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 9:15 pm PT

    At least somebody is talking about Nintendo

  • rlmrex

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 8:17 pm PT

    Slow news day? Write a page one story about a network status message!

  • Arkasai7

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 7:58 pm PT

    Haven't been online yet, but I've had a hell of a time with half a dozen friends playing over a LAN. I say, if you've got more than 3 friends to play, opt for a LAN, it's much more exciting.

  • DaRkSpEcTeR88

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 7:53 pm PT

    im confident nintendo will have this problem fixed soon. if not, a huge component will be gone from mario kart DS, but it would still be a great racer nonetheless. i guess it should be expected from any company launching a wi-fi system, but it is kind of ironic considering how much hype it's gotten.

  • Eribuster_basic

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 7:52 pm PT

    Understandable as a few MMORPG launchs have had their bugs.

    Shame Nintendo couldn't have avoided tripping up, though.

  • vgmaster6

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 7:51 pm PT

    Why the heck would they need to? You can still play the game by yourself, this doesn't apply to people who don't play the game online. It'd be really stupid at this point and really, impossible to "Take it out". If you mean just shut down the Mario Kart DS Wi-Fi service, there's no point because they've all ready spent all the money to put it up, and it would cost even more to take back down. And if you mean take the option out of the game itself (which I don't think you ment severly hope so) That's impossible for obvious reasons.

  • HoTillyHooHa

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 7:50 pm PT

    Why would anyone ask to remove the online component of Mario Kart? Gimme a break here man. If you don't like online don't play online. As for those of you friekin out about your DS and your new game, I wouldn't worry, Nintendo will fix any problems. I'm an idiot. :-)

  • fireatwillx83

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 7:50 pm PT

    Nintendo will fix the problem. No launch of any kind goes perfectly, wether it be hardware or a peripheral. Unexpected things always happen. It's not a terribly big deal, this gives everyone a little well appreciated practice time, which is always a good thing.

  • KakarotTheMonky

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 7:48 pm PT

    sux2bmario

  • RunnerGunner480

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 7:44 pm PT

    Then no one would buy it.

  • Ganondolfz

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 7:42 pm PT

    Why dont Nintendo just take out the online function from Mario Kart DS ?

  • DavidLoPan

    Posted Nov 15, 2005 7:32 pm PT

    They've actually taken the Mario Kart servers completely offline. Looks like Nintendo was caught with their pants down on this one.

    Also, Nintendo has forbidden the exchange of friend codes either in a forum post or private message on Nintendo.com, so at least for tonight it looks like they're doing whatever they can to keep people from playing MKDS online. Hopefully things will improve over the next few days-- I need practice, anyway.

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