Seeing as how Nintendo’s Wi-Fi USB Connector is currently discontinued pending a lawsuit against Buffalo, it would make sense that Nintendo come up with a way to get wireless-less Wii and DS owners online in some manner.

Enter the Wi-Fi network adapter you see above. From the looks of it, you simply plug in the power, plug into your LAN or directly to the Internet, and you’re good to go. It supports 802.11g/b, and will be available for ¥5800. It’s a safe bet that it only allows connections for Wii and DS systems, and it’s also a safe bet that this will only be heavily supported in Japan. Maybe a limited release via the Nintendo Online Store for the rest of the world?

More pics after the break!

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…in some way, shape, or form, that is. The official site for the DS installment of Rockstar’s popular series has been updated with a pretty bare structure, presumably as a placeholder for a full fledged site to come.

The one small bit of news that is revealed on the page is the aforementioned Wi-Fi support. Sure, it might just be speculation at the moment, but with the multiplayer being as good as it is in GTA4, why can’t a man dream?

Rockstar Games

As I’m sure many people have found out (especially those actually named Hitler), if you try and take a Mii named Hitler online, you will promptly be rejected and politely asked to adjust the name of your character. Sure it can look like Hitler, just don’t call him that.

I definitely took my Adolf Mii online with no problems a few days after the American launch, so unless things have changed that name should be safe. Why does it not surprise me that something that is basically harmless has been blocked on Nintendo’s network?

GoNintendo

It was inevitable: cheaters are now running amuck on Mario Kart Wii, getting nearly impossible records in time trials. Cheaters were the sole reason behind my ruined MKDS experience and now its seems that the Wii will suffer from the same problem unless Nintendo does something about it.

I’ve only seen it on the Snowboard track - a guy with a time of 53 point something or other seconds. There are about three other people with exactly the same time. Like others have said, on the replay the guy just does one lap (excrutiatingly slowly) and then turns the opposite way just after the finish line. Then the replay doesn’t stop. Personally, I think its a bug. I’ve only seen it on one track and there are others with the same time.

Nintendo’s online resume is less than stellar, so here’s to hoping this situation is handled quickly without any deaths…I mean bans.

Official Nintendo Magazine

via GoNintendo

Nintendo doesn’t have nearly the online expertise that some of its competitors have acquired, so a little naivety can be expected in setting up the hardware to get a game going smoothly online. You know, being able to handle massive bandwidth and server load - things like that. However, when your “practice runs” are Pokemon Battle Revolution and Mario Strikers Charged, it’s hard to get a large enough audience to prepare for Super Smash Bros. Brawl. A spokesperson cited pipeline strain as behind the lag and disconnect problems encountered with the game.

“As with the launch of any online-enabled game, especially one as popular as Super Smash Bros. Brawl, everyone wants to play at once. This puts a strain on the pipeline. We have seen improvements in online play performance every day since launch.”

Here’s hoping this serves as a prep run for getting Mario Kart Wii online with few problems next month.

PC World

No specific date was given, but the long awaited channel that will bring downloadable video’s, insider interviews and DS demos is expected to be released within the next month or so. It’s also expected that the channel will contain some of the same video conference coverage that is offered by both Microsoft and Sony. No word on whether that content will be provided by Nintendo, or by another party also covering the events.

Kotaku

An excerpt from an article written by Matt Casamassina quells rampant speculation and worry of lag plagued online play in the highly anticipated Super Smash Bros. Brawl:

Well, we wasted no time putting Nintendo’s claims to the test. Shortly after we received our import copies of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, we held a few contests between our San Francisco and Los Angeles locations. Bear in mind a couple of notable differences from Nintendo’s own tests. First, our offices are a little farther apart – nearly 500 miles, to be exact. And we lowly Americans don’t have the benefit of one of the world’s fastest Internet backbones, as Japan does. Still, we’re very happy to report that our two-on-two experience perfectly mimicked Nintendo’s own – in other words, one-hundred percent lag free and two-hundred percent awesome.

San Francisco and Los Angeles obviously can’t compare to a Florida and Vancouver test, but it’s good news all the same.

IGN

When I purchased the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector, it was because my university’s wireless network didn’t allow devices that couldn’t login with my student account, our own wireless routers weren’t allowed in dorm rooms, and I wanted to get in on all the karting action online. Hopefully, those of you who need the Wi-Fi USB Connector already have one, or can find one at a retail store. Nintendo’s Online Store has stopped selling them until further notice.

Legal entanglements with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (”CSIRO”) have ceased sales of any IEEE 802.11a and 802.11g compliant products from Buffalo, which includes Nintendo’s online dongle. Until the Court of Appeals makes a decision and does so in favor of Buffalo, Buffalo cannot produce or sell any new units.

Now, while you’re Nintendo DS requires Wi-Fi to get online, your Wii can use a cable connection if you buy the Wii LAN Adapter - which is cheaper than the Wi-Fi USB Connector.

Nintendo Store
Buffalo Technology