Iwata Talks Wi-Fi

Satoru Iwata has confirmed that Nintendo plans to set up Wi-Fi hotspots at videogame retailers throughout Japan. Iwata estimates that it will set up 1,000 hotspots in Japan, and says that the hotspots will be free to all Nintendo DS users. Further, DS users will not have to pay any sort of subscription or monthly fee to connect via Wi-Fi from home.

The bad news is that, some games could carry fees, as Nintendo has not forbidden third-party publishers from charging for online content and play. Iwata says that Nintendo is on the side of free online play, though, and is working towards keeping the DS online experience completely free of charge.

Full details about Nintendo’s online plans for the DS (and maybe for the Revolution) will be revealed at E3. Nintendo will also be revealing a name for its Wi-Fi hotspot service. E3 is just one week away, and AMN will be there in force, so stay tuned.

UPDATE:
Nintendo President Iwata later clarified that DS users can connect their handheld to the internet through their own home routers with minimal effort. To easily do so though, it will be necessary to use a “Nintendo approved” router. It is currently unknown as to what brand of router will be easily accessible for DS gaming. However, given the company’s recent partnership with Broadcom it is expected that their products will be easily configured for DS access. DSA will keep you up to date regarding the latest news on the DS online front as soon as we receive further information. dddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd