Nintendo to Create WiFi Spots for DS System

Live in Japan and have a Nintendo DS handheld? You're in luck; soon you will be able to play online at a number of WiFi hotspots.

Nintendo plans on implementing around 1,000 WiFi hotspots throughout Japan by the end of 2005. DS owners will be able to play online games at those hotspots free of charge. If you live in the United States, fear not, because Nintendo will eventually bring the service here, although a date has not been set. But at least Nintendo is already talking with potential partners.

As part of the new WiFi Hotspot launch, Nintendo will be introducing two games that will be compatible with online play, Mario Kart DS and Animal Crossing DS by the end of 2005.

Nintendo plans to sell more than 12 million DS units by March of 2006 and software sales for the DS are expected to more than triple to more than 35 million units.