Nintendo makes its Wi-Fi move
by Blake Snow 
{ Nov 29th 2005 at 12:00PM }
The Seattle Times (not far from Redmond) has an excellent article about Nintendo's newly launched wi-fi
service along with a competitive analysis against Sony and Microsoft. Nintendo apparently has been planning online play
for several years but simply missed the boat with the GameCube.
Much like the iPod and Southwest Airlines have revolutionized their respective industries, Nintendo is striving for
the same in the video game market. The idea is to create breakout games and technologies that will appeal to new
customers and eventually change demand.
From increased competition by Sony and Microsoft, the big N "is looking to its Wi-Fi service as another turning
point." How are they doing so far?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mat @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
So far so good. They're going online with mass appeal games. Halo 2 is one of my favorite games, but lets face it FPS's are niche, and FPS's online are even more niche.
Nintendo's making the right moves by reaching out to a broader audience first, and then following up with niche games (e.g. Metroid Prime).
XD @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
So far, Nintendo looks promising, but its hard to have a real opinion until we see the results of their efforts. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do and better still, get to experience it!
gameclu @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
From Sponge:
"NCL revealed that there are already 400,000 outstanding pre-orders for the game in Japan alone, with around 600,000 forecasted before the game goes on sale next Wednesday. Nintendo expects the game to shift around a million copies in the first few weeks on sale."
source: http://spong.com/detail/news.asp?mode=news&type=n&cid=&pid=&vid=&prid=9316&n=Nintendo+Japan+Studio+Changes%2C+Rev+SSB%2C+Zelda%3A+Full+Report&cb=0.2133099
Looks like Nintendo is doing quite well, so far.
Jody Anthony @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Mario Kart DS online is some of the most fun I've had on a video game, especially on a handheld. I think they are doing quite well indeed.
Chiablo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I haven't played it online yet, but Mario Kart DS is definatly one of the funner games I've played this year.
It brought back fond memories of Mario Kart Double Dash for the Gamecube. I love screaming obsenities at Princess Peach after she freaking wins...
keith @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Nintendo seem to be back on track with the DS anyway, GCN and GBA were nothing to write home about and didn't make any big innovations, just really evolved from their predecessors, I suppose after being humbled with the N64 they played it safe and conservative, (as opposed to the NES, SNES, N64, GB).
Seems to me that WI-FI, and intuitive control have really worked for the DS, and the same will probably be said for revolution, including 25 years worth of backwards compatibility.
Nintendo have always set the bar with conceptual design and features, by returning to this mindset I think that they are doing just fine.
C-Dub @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Why you can't count it out: For the year ended March 31, 2005, Nintendo reported $817 million in profit on $4.8 billion in sales. It had $7.4 billion in cash. In the most recent quarter, ended Sept. 30, it had sales of $890 million and profit of $189 million.
Nintendo is doing JUST fine. :)
paralipsis @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Nintendo Have done ok. Mario Kart DS is a great game, but frankly the online support is a bit shaky. Besides the Nintedo WiFi adapter having pretty awful software, the big problem comes with the matching system. Maybe it's just me, but I seem to encounter far too many people who quit when they are losing to protect their win/loss ratio. And the "Friends" system is awkward and difficult to make proper use of.
They've got a good setup going, it just needs some major tweaking if it's going to be the big success in the long term that they hope it will be.
bluetrane @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I haven't owned a nintendo console since the snes. But the DS really impresses.
Mario Kart DS online play is fun, easy to jump in and out of and smooth.
Can't wait for Animal Crossing :)
Killian @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I think they're off to a good start, but I agree that the "friends" system needs tweaking, and even some of the setup for the wireless connection seemed less intuitive than the PSP, for me. It's definitely a huge leap in the right direction... Can't wait to play Animal Crossing online!
Mullinator @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
@paralipsis
I don't own Mario Kart DS but from what I hear the people who quit the game to avoid a loss will end up recieving a loss on their record anyway.
nick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I don't mind people quitting on me. They get dinged multiple times AND I get multiple wins. Haven't figured out the process exactly, but my wins go up after disconnects. That's fine by me.
They're still fucking cowards, though.
Mr.Ortiz @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
The win/loss numbers are a mystery to me. My numbers seem too high for how much I've played online. Either the game is so addictive, I don't realize how much I'm playing or coming in second place counts as 1 loss (against the person in first) and 2 wins (against 3rd and 4th). If that's the case, counting a drop-out as 3 losses isn't really "punishment" since they probably would have come in last anyway, but at least they dont gain anything.
Mullinator @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
The thing that really interests me about Wi-Fi is that as good as it is right now it still strikes me as if Nintendo is really using this as a trial for now. Like they have just decided to get the basic functionality out to start building hype before they really start to add new stuff to it.
Considering what it already has and considering how much time they have to add new stuff I am really quite excited about it.
weaszel @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I agree with the complaints about both the "Friends" system and people bumming out of races to try and cheat their record. I'd really like to see more of an online community, possibly even some sort of chat facility.
I think we should set up a Joystiq MKDS racing team, even. Any takers?
mike @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Like they have just decided to get the basic functionality out to start building hype before they really start to add new stuff to it.
--
they're still kicking the tires on the PervFinder app..
syco @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I think it is a fantastic feature that there's no communication available between people on MK:DS. With the exception of stupid icons, there's no possible way people can be stupid at me. It just becomes an internet full of opponents that are smarter than AI, and a chance to play irl friends who live in other states (where if we're really interested in talking we can use IM or teamspeak)
Other than not being able to pick the friend you can play against specifically, the system is perfect.
Meko @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Been playing MK online for almost a week now. I usually have to go 'worldwide' to fill in 3 other open spots. This will decrease I'm sure over time with more and more people buying this one. The wi-fi setup is pretty straightforward unless you're doing heavy security on your wi-fi setup at home in which case you need to know about a WEP key and your NDS's MAC address. Other than that, it's very straightforward. I haven't tried friend mode yet.
From those I've already played online, it's VERY competetive. You will need to be GOOD to get those wins up over the losses. No lag at all from the service (IGN/Nintendo). This is all while playing roughly no more than 10ft from my WAP. I have heard people pulling distances of 30+ft thru walls before starting to run into issues/lag.
In game chat for furture games would be a nice addition because some people just piss me off enough that I want to say something to them. Perhaps some hand gestures/taunting from the drivers in MK would be nice too :)
Folks...take it from someone who has been in gaming for over 25 years. NDS is doing it right when it comes to online play --at least from how easy it is to get online using MK and how much the service has yielded already.
They are definitely on their way already. Now I just hope they can deliver on the titles!
Meko @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Been playing MK online for almost a week now. I usually have to go 'worldwide' to fill in 3 other open spots. This will decrease I'm sure over time with more and more people buying this one. The wi-fi setup is pretty straightforward unless you're doing heavy security on your wi-fi setup at home in which case you need to know about a WEP key and your NDS's MAC address. Other than that, it's very straightforward. I haven't tried friend mode yet.
From those I've already played online, it's VERY competetive. You will need to be GOOD to get those wins up over the losses. No lag at all from the service (IGN/Nintendo). This is all while playing roughly no more than 10ft from my WAP. I have heard people pulling distances of 30+ft thru walls before starting to run into issues/lag.
In game chat for furture games would be a nice addition because some people just piss me off enough that I want to say something to them. Perhaps some hand gestures/taunting from the drivers in MK would be nice too :)
Folks...take it from someone who has been in gaming for over 25 years. NDS is doing it right when it comes to online play --at least from how easy it is to get online using MK and how much the service has yielded already.
They are definitely on their way already. Now I just hope they can deliver on the titles!
:(deriuqer) eman ruoY @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/mario-kart-ds/where-mario-kart-ds-went-wrong-139774.php
weaszel @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Meko: yeah, I was thinking like after each race, you could write something on the screen to the rest of the players, be it a friendly "gg" or satisfying "pwned". To hell with sportsmanship!
Jago @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I play MKDS in my room and I am about a good 20-25 feet and I have no problems. I might get 1 bar most of the time but there is no lag at all...wish I could say the same when I play my PSP online.
MLB on the PSP online is nightmare...you have to basically be sitting right next to the wifi router to get no lag.
nick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I'd like to be able to congratulate a worthy competitor, but if it means voice like XBox Live, well, count me out. I can't stand those jokers bubbling away on Halo.
I think as a trial, MKDS is perfect. I fully expect more function in Metroid Prime Hunters. What I'd really like to see is a GBA expansion pack (like Jam w/ The Band), with more of the cooler tracks online. Bummed I can't race the Clock or Bowser worlds. And that SMB 3 boat, which is hecka cool.
WizarDru @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
This is one time where Kotaku gets it wrong.
As has already been discussed...if you drop out (or are disconnected), then you get an automatic loss for each race in the series.
Nintendo isn't doing X-box Live. Nintendo WiFi is so simple, it's ridiculous. Smack talk in the lobby? No, thanks. A leader board? Meaningless waste of resources. 55,000 people have already played MK through Wifi...do we really care to track them all? Who Cares?
Nintendo's solution is elegant and simple. That's why it's so good. Nintendo's target audience just wants to play a game, with virtually no worries about setup or configuration. And that's what they get.
Jody Anthony @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I dunno, I'm usually a floor down from my wireless router, and get three bars the whole time. I've never had anything less than 3, and ive been in plenty of rooms in the house.
The "searching for players" or whatever thing does get a bit annoying though.
But I have had nothing but fun, even though ive gotten 4th place in ever race I've had so far, except for maybe one 3rd place. It gets me mad, but I just have to keep going and trying harder. it's great.
jscro @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
How is Nintendo doing with the DS? I've never looked at a Nintendo product since the original NES. I decided to pick up a DS on a whim this week, mostly becasue of MKDS's online play.
Actually I picked it up since I couldn't score a 360. I'm so glad I did, this thing is a blast. I forgot how much fun Nintendo designed games were.
gjd @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I'm a big fan of the lack of communication. I can't *stand* playing Halo on Live and hearing all the whiny 14 year olds trash talking. On the other hand, I'm glad to have a real person to play against so that you know your loss is legit and can't blame it on computer cheating or something.
The leader board might be nice, and since it punishes you for disconnecting and you can't talk to your opponents the scramble for the top of the leader board wouldn't be too damaging to the quality of play.
In general, though, I'm a big fan of how it is. It's straightforward and fun and does what I want it to -- let me play other real people and not just the AI.
Pretty Obvious @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Nintendo has been planning online for the past several years? I think not. How about Nintendo realized it missed the bus on online multiplayer and needed to step it up a notch.
Nintendos online will never be on par with Xbox Live and to the idiots that say they cant stand Live because of annoying loudmouths let me fill you in on a big secret..... You ready???
Unplug the headset.......
Wow.....
That was hard.
mrk @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
"The leader board might be nice, and since it punishes you for disconnecting and you can't talk to your opponents the scramble for the top of the leader board wouldn't be too damaging to the quality of play."
There's one somewhere over at http://www.nintendowifi.com if you're interested.
kojo87 @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Pretty Obvious: yet you act like you're the smartest man in the world for figuring this out. how would you know what Nintendo was planning? i think the people who's job it is to write about these things and publish them on this web site or the news paper would know better than you.
i think the Wi-Fi for the DS is fine right now and Animal Crossing should improve it. the searching for players thing in Mario Kart can take a long time which i dont understand. plus stuff like DSpeak that i've heard about should be great if incorparated into gameplay and not just a stand alone app. (my guess is that you can unplug this head-set too!) i thought that the Revolution was going to have something more like Xbox Live than what the DS uses right now. i also heard that the DS and the Revolution were going to use the same service. does anybody know for sure?
nick @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Pretty Obvious = Pretty Dumb.
You can't just unplug your headset to ignore the XBox Live idiots. They'll still talk through your speakers. Only sure way to block em out is to mute the sound, and that ain't much fun.
Wow....
amiga_tone @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
I don't think the DS was mewant as compeition to the XBox.
Perhaps the Nintendo WiFi to XBox live but I think you should wait till the Revolution is release before making comparisons.
ReyBrujo @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
One of the first consoles that had online capabilities was SNES with Satellaview. However, the success was limited and technology expensive. In other words, they were trying the online realm even before Xbox or PlayStation were in the hands of the home users.
It is nice to know people think everyone has a 1mbps connection and can waste 2kbps in the sound channel to hear people say "i 4m 133t h4x0r!!!1111one" Tip: unplugging your headsets still wastes your bandwidth.
Xbox Live is a quality payed service. Nintendo free service won't have the same quality. But I have absolutely no doubt that, if they do really want to implement a pay-per-use service as Xbox Live, they would surely match Xbox quality.
Jago @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Nintendo has been experimenting with going online since AT LEAST the N64 days. I remember reading way back in the mid-90's about how they were farming around to find partnerships with Netscape at the time (I think.)
Nintendo isn't stupid...just b/c something can be done doesn't mean it should be done.
Pretty Obvious @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
nick if you cant figure out how to mute the sound from your speaker then you dont deserve an Xbox. And if its not fun to mute then what the hell are you complaining about whiny people on live. Get a brain...
Avinash_Tyagi @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Don't expect much voice/text chat support in most games on ninty Wi-Fi, or any major changes to the friends system, these were implemented for safety reasons for younger users.
Games Like Animal Crossing will have chat capabilities but will require you to play only with people on your friends list.
Jago @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
Uh oh...looks like someone let the moron out of his cage...
Jago @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
seriously...can we PLEASE ban this asshole?
Uhc @ Dec 18th 2005 9:02PM
yeah
he obviously isnt mature enough to be a worthwhile adition to ANY comments, anywhere.
Dane @ Dec 31st 2005 4:02PM
hey, if you read this then i would like any help to be posted to daneandsilentbob@hotmail.com
Hi, ive been online with my ds now for about 2 weeks, but it only seems to be recording my losses (i know because i have won more than 10 time at least, yet my win record remains at a big fat 0. My losses seem to move up and down too-they were at 3, then they went to 9, then to 7. In single player mode of mario kart ds, you have to win 4 races and then the best 3 racers are selected and they win. Is this how it happens online? do i have to win 3/4 or come 2nd perhaps? I havent been able to figure this out, or why it happens, but im desperate for any help you can offer-and im actually quite sure that nintendo's wifi (though totally kick-ass) may be slightly faulty and is not letting my results be recorded....at the moment im at WINS: 0 LOSSES:7.................help!!:(