Get Fat with DS wireless, eh? -- Joystiq

Get Fat with DS wireless, eh?

by Alan Rose { Oct 18th 2005 at 11:45PM }

Beer. Hockey. Maple leaves. Rush. Our friends to the north can now add Nintendo DS wireless service to their list of impressive accomplishments. WiFi service provider FatPort is partnering with Nintendo of Canada to supply free DS hot spots at some of the country's trendiest hangouts including Joey Tomato's, Earls, White Spot, Bread Garden, and Boston Pizza (no Molson factory?). I've never heard of these places either, but it gets pretty damn cold up there and people need warm places to hang out, so let's just put two and two together. And how come we don't have a Boston Pizza in Boston??

[Thanks, Vance]

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

JRM @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

what's good about this is that those places will certainly cater to an older crowd.

Ryan @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Trust me, you don't want a Boston Pizza.

mike @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

I�ve never heard of these places either, but it gets pretty damn cold up there and people need warm places to hang out,

---

Sure as hell not as cold as .. er.. New York, Vermont, Minneapolis, .. hell.. anywhere in New England..

Oh, you've never heard of those places? Back in your cave.

vc @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

LOL FATPORT in Canada and McDonalds in USA.

Same difference.

vc @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

By the way, you know it's bad when "Boston" and "Pizza" are in the same name together. Boston does not do good pizza.

vrf @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Mike, calm down. Americans don't all fit your stereotype of don't-know-nuttin' about the world. In fact, I'd wager a good lot of them know a lot more about the world then you do.

Besides, the fact of the matter is that, on the average, Canada is a helluva lot colder than the States, especially in the winter. Sure, the US has colder areas (at times), but this was a general statement. Surely you can understand that much.

Leo @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Hahaha, yeah those are mainly canadian retaruants... but boston pizza sux...
Most of those resturants are normal....

larryh @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

people say boston pizza's nachos are really good.

darryl @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

"Joey Tomato�s, Earls, White Spot, Bread Garden, and Boston Pizza"

Really? What kind of list is that? Has anyone else heard of these places in Toronto-area? Those are all new to me (maybe heard of Boston Pizza, not sure). Bread Garden!? I've heard of Olive Garden.

Curious. I hope Nintendo broadens their coverage because with a line-up like this, there won't be much wifi action going down in this town.

vrf @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Seattle's Best coffee is on the FatPort list. I'm sure you've heard of that.

Robin @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Umm...In Winnipeg we had a few Boston Pizza's and Earl's, but what the hell are Joey Tomato�s, White Spot, Bread Garden? I've never heard of any of these places.

I wish they were putting some wifi spots in half decent restaurants. Or atleast some places people have heard of.

Barclay @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Must be a western thing they're doing. We have all of those restaurants in Vancouver. White Spot is a chain that started in BC, and same with Bread Garden.

And I think FatPort is home-based here too.

TrackZero @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

darryl,

I'm also from Toronto and I've only ever heard of Boston Pizza. I love the editors assumtion that these are actually wide-spread up here.

Now if Tim Hortons was having DS wi-fi hotspots, I think the entire country could say "Holy shit!" at once.

Kurdt @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

"Joey Tomato�s, Earls, White Spot, Bread Garden, and Boston Pizza"

Except for Joey Tomatos, all of these restaurants are in Vancouver. Lovely, rainy, yet temperate Vancouver.

Also, there are quite a few places in Vancouver with free high speed internet. The Blenz coffee shop across from where I work gives you a password and voila! you're turned on. No time limit either.

Gareth @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Yeah, these are all pretty common in the Vancouver area. Don't know about other places.

All I know is that the Mario Kart DS is going to be some sweet fun online...

Ian @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Those aren't exactly the friendliest places for a Nintendo DS however. They're targeted more at adults, the Nintendo is not. :S I like the McDonalds idea better.

Shawn @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Hey don't knock Boston Pizza, everybody around here (Halifax) loves that place, great food, nice environment, hot chicks... You can't go wrong.

Crushed @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Here's FatPort's list of current chain partners (that they list, at least):

http://fatport.com/locations/chains.php

Crushed @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Almost forgot: You can also look up if there are any other places with FatPort in your area.

Not quite as extensive as WayPort's coverage, but still.

DG @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Yeah, whenever I'm hungry for a good slice, I think "Man, what I would do for some Boston-style pizza!"

Has anyone ever confused Boston for having any kind of good pizza? Do they put clam chowder on it? I've been in Boston many times and I don't think I've once ever bought a slice there. I don't even know if you can. How silly.

Jay @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

" I�ve never heard of these places either, but it gets pretty damn cold up there and people need warm places to hang out, so let�s just put two and two together. "

Forgive me but isn't that slightly racist?

JRM @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

not racist, stereotypical. Being Canadian and all, I think it's funny.

I've to boston pizza a couple of times, to watch play-off hockey. It's just an average restaurant franchise, nothing more nothing less.

jc @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

I got a kick out of the 'maple leaves' line...

go leaves go

.oO(leafs)

jc @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

I know leaves is a proper spelling for leaf in the plural... but it still looks funny.

32_Footsteps @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Okay, given that I've been living in Boston for the past 8 years, I can't see how anyone would want to claim they make Boston-style pizza. I know of only two places, in the entire Boston metro area, that make halfway-passable pizza. One is Crazy Dough's, in Harvard Square (in The Garage, same place as an anime store, a record store, and a sci-fi/role-playing bookstore). The other is Mamma Lisa's, on Broadway in Somerville. Beyond that, your best bet for pizza in Boston is Domino's (which is not to say Boston Domino's are any better than any other - it's just that bleak over here).

It's not that there aren't pizza places around here at all - just wander through the North End and you'll find no end of places that serve pizza. Just that they all are uniformly terrible. The average Boston pizza has a burnt crust, watery sauce, and flavorless cheese. And it's half-soggy with grease even without toppings (and if you ordered pepperoni, just bring a spoon).

But going to the matter at hand... It makes sense that Nintendo would strike a partnership with groups centered more around Vancouver (being close to NOA HQ and all). Still, As an American, it seems like the biggest win would have been a partnership with Tim Hortons. Considering I've never been to Canada and I know alot about them, it seems like it would be the most obvious choice.

jc @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

I have been to Boston Pizza, but funny enough never for their pizza. Their pasta is ok, but really... who makes bad pasta.

Any time I have been to BP, Joey Tomatoes (awesome restaurant in Alberta), and Earls (to an extent)... all of these restaurants are usually busy with families. Mom and Dad bring their kids out for dinner.
I see how this makes sense, having DS wireless access... just ask McDonalds how important the 'kid appeal' is to their sucess. Basically they are creating a wireless playground. You add functionality/features, like McDonalds did with their playlands, but without having to make the building larger...

32_Footsteps, I agree that if you wanted to reach the majority of Canadians... Tim Hortons would be a logical choice. However, the majority of Tim's customers are Drive-thru, followed by counter sales and then some sit downs. The other thing to consider is that by far, Tim Hortons attracts adults and mostly for their coffee. Kids prefer soda.

Pata @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

#17, I complete agree. The Boston Pizza in Halifax is pretty good. Although, I'd have liked it if they put hotspots at the East Side Mario's right near the Boston Pizza instead. Mmm... garlic homeloaf...

Actually, the Empire Theatres across the parking lot would be great for hotspots too. The ammount of kids and teenagers that go through that place on a daily basis would make it a prime location.

Danny Knives @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Yeah we have Boston pizza here in Dallas and I can tell you it sucks with a capital suck - but hey they serve beer so game on Canada

Tom @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Boston Pizza? WTF? Is that a subsidiary of Boston Market/Chicken? Cause that stuffs decent.

As for you people who are claiming that Boston has no pizza, you have no clue. Are there a lot of shitty places here? Of course! There are in every city! What the best that Boston has to offer? Regina's in the North End, or Santarpio's in Eastie are almost universally agreed to be the best in town (and the best I've ever had, including from New York and Chicago). Ernesto's also in the North End rounds out the top 3.

Matt @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Best Boston-area local pizza is Sal's. primarily in the Merrimack Valley about 15-20 exits up I93. Other than that, call Papa Gino's. Most of the rest of the local stuff sucks.. just like the Yankees! (SWISH)

32_Footsteps @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Okay, recommending Regina's is right up there with saying a Fenway Frank is a good hot dog. Only a townie would ever make such a ludicrous claim. Boston has a wide selection of food and most of it is good. Its pizza, however, is not for the most part.

Timmycore @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Boston has Papa Ginos, the best pizza ever! Speaking of which, where is everyone playing their DS around Boston these days?

Zoso @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Boston Market/Chicken is terrible, and Boston Pizza would be ashamed to be affiliated with such a place.

http://www.bostonpizza.com/

I've never been to Boston, but the pizza here is pretty damn good. The WiFi is a pretty slick idea, but I don't see many kids taking advantage of it (granted, I'm in a university town and don't see many runts.)

Oh, and to the guy whining that the States has colder places? Come up to Dorset or Churchill and say that.

Shelby @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

"I complete agree. The Boston Pizza in Halifax is pretty good. Although, I'd have liked it if they put hotspots at the East Side Mario's right near the Boston Pizza instead. Mmm... garlic homeloaf...

Actually, the Empire Theatres across the parking lot would be great for hotspots too. The ammount of kids and teenagers that go through that place on a daily basis would make it a prime location."

Holy shit!!!

Thats Bayers Lake!!!

darko82 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Hey Jay (#21), I didn't know Canadians were a "race". ;)

32_Footsteps @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Well, if anyone is looking for me, I'm usually out in public in a long black coat and a black brimmed walkabout hat. Also, carrying around a Timbuk3 bag branded by Nintendo (a gift from a press conference). I also usually have Meteos, Nintendogs, Jump Superstars, and Advance Wars DS on me, though I generally only play when I'm stationary. I'll play anywhere, but in public I'm usually around Downtown Crossing or Harvard Square, with occasional jaunts over to the MIT Student Union.

Shawn @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Holy crap.. how many people on here are from Halifax Area.. that's 3 so far...

That entire section of bayers lake would be perfect for wi-fi. Eastside, jack-astors, montanas, boston pizza and empire theatres all attract alot of people.

jc @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Shawn, maybe the EB Games across the street could hook up with Futureshop and work out a deal.

retro @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

"but it gets pretty damn cold up there and people need warm places to hang out"

Oh, great, what we need is some more anti-canadianism. I'm not even going to explain to you how politically incorrect that is.

Darko28, yes, Canada is a race, just like America, and every other country.

Now that that is out of my system,

WTF?

Bread Garden? White Spot? Earl's? Joey Tomato? What the hell is this? I've never heard of any of those restaurants! Except for Boston Pizza, of course. Why don't they cater DS WiFi to popular restaurants or coffee shops, like Tim Horton's?

Kristian @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Yes! DS Wi-Fi at the White Spot! I'll be in Vancouver next year, just in time to get a DS and sit down for a Legendary Burger and some multiplayer Mario Kart.

Raffi @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Hah if they get these in Tim Horton's stores, theres practically no need to ever buy a wireless router. Theres a Tim's on every street corner.

daniel @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Joey's only is a seafood place in BC and Alberta, maybe more. I saw them in Banff, Alberta; Kelowna, BC, and some others.

Saddler @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

I'm a forth Gen Yukoner (Alaska's)neighbor, now living in Vancouver. It does get cold in Canada, people do need warm places to hangout. All those chains make perfect sense to me. While the adults have dinner, the kiddies play online and stay quiet. Makes sense, no? No one is ever in T.H. long enough to get in a game of MarioKart.

magic_user2005 @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Hey retro, last time I checked, caucasian, black, and hispanic were races. I don't remember seeing "Canadian" on the list. But maybe they should add "moronic" to that list so we have a category for you. ;)

Erin @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

I live in Canada and I haven't even heard of these places, except for Boston Pizza. What I can say is I don't want to be sitting in BP surrounded by a bunch of people playing video games while I'm trying to eat my dinner. What a horrid idea. If I wanted that kind of atmosphere, I'd head for the mall and eat at the foodcourt.

Tom @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

LOL I'm a townie? Thats pretty funny...

But seriously, which college campus did you never leave for the 5 weeks you lived in Boston for, before you had your Mommy pick you up because you missed your puppy dog? Was it BU or NU? Did you leave the dorm and go to the shitty place on the corner, or did you have it delivered cause all the black people freaked you out?

Now to get back on topic... How come most pizza places don't have arcade machines any more? Thats pretty fucking weak.

Pata @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

Wow, so many other Halagonians here =o

Yeah Shelby (#34), I was talking about Bayers Lake ^_^ I work at the Lawtons Drugs near Sobey's on Lacewood, so I'm always around Bayers Lake =D

All of us from Halifax should get together and test out Boston Pizza's Wi-Fi when it's released~

Chris @ Dec 18th 2005 10:03PM

"Besides, the fact of the matter is that, on the average, Canada is a helluva lot colder than the States, especially in the winter."

I bet not. Unless you have solid evidence, we're not "helluva lot" colder. No. We are colder, yes, but not by that much. For more than a year in the morning, I've watched local, and American news just for fun. Whenever the weather reports are on, Alberta is maybe a few degreese off from Montana, Idaho and Washington.

But that's just Alberta. I also think that the 10 provinces aren't that much diffrent either. The territories, however, are obiviously going to be colder seeing as how close they are to the North Pole. But that's my current knowledge. If someone can show me that the states are ALOT colder than we are up here, please do show me.