Slashdot Mirror

Hello and thank you for contacting Nintendo,

I can appreciate your comments regarding our choice of WEP security for the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection (WFC) service. Nintendo's decision to make the WFC compatible with WEP and not WPA stems from the fact that WEP is the most prevalent standard for securing Wi-Fi connections. We feel that WEP provides sufficient protection.

If you prefer not to change your current security, then you might consider using the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector. Although it uses WEP security, it can only be accessed by a Nintendo DS and will not interfere with your regular wireless security.

We have developed an application you can download to test your PC's possible compatibility with the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection and the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector. This test is not a guarantee that the USB Connector will work, as there are a number of things the application does not test. However, a successful test is a good indication the connector will work. The test application can be found at the following address:

http://www.nintendowifi.com/troubleshooting/Networ kTest.jsp

The Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector is available at Best Buy, EB Games, Frys, GameStop, Star City Video and Toys R Us. You can also purchase this item directly from our online store (http://store.nintendo.com/usb) or over the phone by calling 1-800-895-1672. The connector carries a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $34.99 U.S. ($39.95 Canadian). Please keep in mind that although Nintendo of America Inc. may suggest retail prices for products, the dealer is free to determine on its own the prices at which it will sell products.

Sincerely,

Nintendo of America Inc.
Sharon Matheny

Nintendo's home page: http://www.nintendo.com/
Power Line (Automated Product Info): (425) 885-7529


This is the message I got from Nintendo.

I do not think WEP is sufficient protection, and will NOT buy a DS until it supports an industry standard.

http://www.nintendowifi.com/customersupport/showFe edbackForm.do

I live in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I have a DS and I play online a lot. It is easy for me to find and open and unsecured hotspot in this city and when I play Mario Kart or Metroid, I dont have to input and username, password or credit card information. Online playing it's completely anonymous, fast and free, yet astounding fun.
Why can't EA learn from Nintendo?

More info on http://www.nintendowifi.com/customersupport/Suppor tHome.jsp

Actually, moreso than that, I hope the WiFi is fully compliant & compatible with wireless standards. The WiFi in the DS has horrible compatability problems. There is a huge list of wireless routers from major vendors which are only partially compatible (if not completely incompatible) with the DS. For instance, my D-Link DI-514 only works with the DS periodically. I've found that if I reboot the router immediately before I try to connect, then I have about a 99% success rate. However, if I don't reboot I only have about a 20% chance of it working. If I disconnect and reconnect several times, it will usually fail to connect the 5th or 6th time. The only mostly safe bet is to reboot EVERY time I make a new connection.

Here is the current official compatability list:
http://www.nintendowifi.com/customersupport/suppor tedRouters.do

on this site http://www.nintendowifi.com/gaminghub/Gamehub.jsp you can see the stats of people connecting day to day, currently the 24-hour average seems to be about 200,000 players a day.

Yep, you're missing something. Here is a list of currently supported routers: http://www.nintendowifi.com/customersupport/suppor tedRouters.do So far in my travels I've only encountered one wireless router that wouldn't connect. I love NintendoWiFi. It's so bad.

If you're in the US I believe there's free access to be had at any McDonalds.

Not ANY McDonald's; I believe there's only about 6000 or so with Nintendo Wifi deployed (which is still nothing to sneeze at).

http://www.nintendowifi.com/ has a search feature you can use to locate compatible hotspots near you.

"WEP Key is a security setting for your router. WEP is the only security that is compatible with the Nintendo DS Wi-Fi Connection. You will need to set your router for WEP security -- or remove security on your router -- to use the Nintendo DS at this access point." Nintendo

I wish they supported WPA. WEP sucks and no security is not a good option for home use.

JOhn

Free, with a game that supports it.

Official Site

Also, what was up with ditching WAP functionality? Why do I need to unsecure my access point to play? (And don't tell me to buy a Nintendo adapter -- I already have an access point).

You mean WEP. Wireless Encryption Protocol. Nintendo WiFi connection supports WEP. I dunno what you're talking about.

The Nintendo adapter also only costs $20 (if you have WinXP and forthcoming Mac OS X).

Nintendo WiFi Homepage
WiTendoFi.com

That should give you want you need. The DS uses 802.11 to access the net and play. Just need a Access Point you can use.

Luckily for us Mac people it seems that airport works well with the service, but I have yet to try it for myself.

The only security setting that is compatible with the Nintendo DS is WEP (Wireless Encryption Privacy). If your router has WPA or any other setting selected, you will need to change it to WEP, or remove security, to play your Nintendo DS online using this router. You will only need to enter a WEP Key if you have WEP security on your access point.

The only security setting that is compatible with the Nintendo DS is WEP (Wireless Encryption Privacy). If your router has WPA or any other setting selected, you will need to change it to WEP, or remove security, to play your Nintendo DS online using this router. You will only need to enter a WEP Key if you have WEP security on your access point.