Millionth Wi-Fi DS Player Logs On

March 7, 2006, 12:30 pm EST
Total comments: 36

In five months, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection has reached one million players, with over 27 million total connections.

Nintendo's Wi-Fi Service Logs Its 1 Millionth Player

More Than 27 Million Connections Have Been Made Around the World

REDMOND, Wash., March 7 -- Nintendo's wireless gaming service has hit an all-time gaming record of 1 million unique users, in less than four months in operation.

Nintendo(R) Wi-Fi Connection lets Nintendo DS(TM) owners log on cost-free to compete or interact in a variety of games, from racing in Mario Kart(R) DS to community-building in Animal Crossing(R): Wild World. The 1 millionth user was a player in Japan, who logged on to play Animal Crossing: Wild World.

"Players are embracing our model of a compelling, safe, easy-to-use wireless gaming service," says Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales & marketing. "Those 1 million users represent more than 27 million game sessions."

On March 20, two new Wi-Fi-enabled games arrive in the Americas to draw even more players to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Tetris(R) DS brings a twist to the addictive classic puzzle game. Up to four players can compete against friends or strangers, near or far. Tetris DS features multiple modes themed with retro Nintendo characters and music.

Also launching March 20, Metroid(R) Prime Hunters features competition using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, but players get an added bonus: the ability to chat with one another before and after battles, using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). Players can use this Metroid chat feature to agree on match parameters and to relive their battle glories. This riveting first-person shooter lets players choose from a variety of characters and weapons, with extensive replay options.

Talkback

Dirk TemporoMarch 07, 2006

And HOW long did it take XBL to reach that number of players?

Flames_of_chaosLukasz Balicki, Staff AlumnusMarch 07, 2006

I guess i took XBL 2 - 3 years to reach the million mark.

ArtimusMarch 07, 2006

Wow!!!! Free = win.

mantidorMarch 07, 2006

Im still waiting for them to reach the promised 90% of DS users now thats never ever going to happen, Im very sure about that

sorry, Im probably in Paladin's anti-online mood

foolish03March 07, 2006

how many users does xbox live have now.

TheYoungerPlumberMichael Cole, Associate EditorMarch 07, 2006

Keep in mind this figure counts one-time-only connects, guys.

MarioMarch 07, 2006

"Those 1 million users represent more than 27 million game sessions."

The average would be 27 connections per person. Though i've probably made about 500 connections.

WuTangTurtleMarch 07, 2006

Either way it's pretty embarassing for a console to be beaten by a handheld in well anything let alone this.

Infernal MonkeyMarch 08, 2006

Especially when it's only had two online games avaliable worldwide so far. What with Animal Crossing yet to hit Europe.

NephilimMarch 08, 2006

I dunno:
few million mario karts
few million animal crossings
tony hawk, 5 copys
bleach 50-60k in japan

plus the fact ur friend code resets when u use ur cart on another ds, would of been quite alot of these i imagine

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorMarch 08, 2006

Your friend code may reset, however I believe NoA can track individual DS units.

Ian SaneMarch 08, 2006

One thing to take into account when comparing this to Xbox Live is that like TYP said this counts one-time connections and that can really skewer the stats. With the Xbox, aside from having a paid account, you have to go home and connect everything. With the DS you can buy the thing, turn it on right outside the store and perhaps find a hotspot. You're now included in those million users. Maybe you never go online with the DS ever again.

I think the most important stat would be how many people play online DS games per day. Then we would get an idea of what the market for online DS games really is. Those are the people that have wireless internet at home and/or can access wireless online as part of their daily routine. That information is much more important for the Rev for example. The DS, because it's a portable, is very flexible regarding online play but the Rev, being a console, doesn't. All the people who played a DS once at McDonalds are not going to play their Rev online because they can't.

Hopefully this is just typical press release stuff and Nintendo isn't using this figure to make future decisions.

ArtimusMarch 08, 2006

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane
Hopefully this is just typical press release stuff and Nintendo isn't using this figure to make future decisions.

You don't like ANYTHING that happens, do you? Nintendo finally does what you moan about and you STILL complain. SHUT UP. SHUT UP. SHUT UP!

Ian SaneMarch 08, 2006

"Nintendo finally does what you moan about and you STILL complain."

Nintendo typically doesn't do what I ask for without goofing around with it in some way.

Nintendo: We're going online!
Me: YEAH!
Nintendo: And you have to have a wireless connection to go online with the Rev!
Me: WHAT?!

So 1 million online DS players doesn't mean anything for Nintendo's overall online plans because a DS owner can logon at McDonalds and a Rev owner can't. This wi-fi only junk could greatly limit the popularity of online gaming on the Rev if they're not careful. So they better not think "wow this is working great for the DS" and then just assume it will work for the Rev.

RiskyChrisMarch 08, 2006

Jesus christ Ian, Nintendo never said you have to have a wireless connection to go online with the Revolution!!!!

I don't even need a wireless connection to use DS wifi (hi2u USB key).

I bet you a revolution and all its launch titles that a USB Dongle with Ethernet input will be available for the rev.

Ian SaneMarch 08, 2006

"Jesus christ Ian, Nintendo never said you have to have a wireless connection to go online with the Revolution!!!!"

They've never been very clear on it but all they ever talk about is wi-fi in regards to any online play. The Rev from what we've seen has no ethernet port. The general assumption from Nintendo's comments is that the Rev is wi-fi only and you either need a wireless internet connection or you have to buy the dongle from Nintendo. In other words people have to jump through hoops to get their Rev online and that hurts the ease-of-use which is crucial for the Rev's online setup to take off.

KDR_11kMarch 08, 2006

Alternative scenario:
"Nintendo: We're going online!
Me: YEAH!
Nintendo: And you have to have an ethernet cable in your livingroom to go online with the Rev!
Me: WHAT?!"

Karl Castaneda #2March 08, 2006

I really don't think a $35 dongle is "jumping through hoops." I mean, you've got to pay $50+ to install Xbox Live Gold, so what's the big deal in buying the dongle (which is supposed to go to retail soon, isn't it)? And since first party titles will probably go online for free, you're getting a pretty good deal, in my opinion.

Ian SaneMarch 08, 2006

"Alternative scenario:
'Nintendo: We're going online!
Me: YEAH!
Nintendo: And you have to have an ethernet cable in your livingroom to go online with the Rev!
Me: WHAT?!'"

I was thinking more along of the lines of Nintendo allowing you to choose what option best works for you. Plug an ethernet cable in if you've got one, use your wireless connection if you've got one, or buy the dongle. All the bases are covered then and everyone can choose whatever works best for them.

I consider buying a dongle jumping through hoops because my consoles are right next to my computer so if I wanted to go online with the Rev I could just unplug the ethernet cable from my PC and plug it into my Rev. But instead I have to get a wireless router or buy the dongle for a console that is going to sit in the same spot for as long as I live in the same place. It's still a better deal than Xbox Live but it's a pretty lame restriction. Things will be better if they actually release the dongle in stores (it is available in store in Canada and I give a big thumbs up to Nintendo of Canada for that) but as an online-only item the mass appeal of Rev online is greatly diminished. The dongle might as well be the Cube broadband adapter.

LouieturkeyMarch 08, 2006

Artimus and RiskyChris really you don't have to get all upset about this. Who really thought Ian would be happy with anything?

Ian just because your setup has consoles next to PC doesn't mean the rest of people have it that way. I'm guessing the majority of people Nintendo is trying to reach have their consoles in the living room or bedroom while the PC is in a computer room or office. This would make an ethernet cable a lot harder to use than just plugging the dongle into their PC and not having to change where their consoles are set up. Plus, I believe Nintendo is not offering ethernet because it's cheaper without it. Nintendo is trying to be the cheapest console and easiest to use. While adding an ethernet port may make it easier for some people, maybe the cost is too high to add one in Nintendo's eyes and they are compromising. Maybe the dongle will be in stores around Rev launch time.

Ian SaneMarch 08, 2006

It doesn't matter what my setup is or your setup is or anyone's setup is. Nintendo should provide options when it makes sense to and in this case I think it makes sense to.

Does the dongle support Macs? I remember hearing it doesn't. That's a pretty big reason right there to not only offer wireless connections.

I'll agree the whole decision is probably based on cost though.

RiskyChrisMarch 08, 2006

Well you know, I wish I could go wifi with my XBox but Microsoft is forcing me to use an ethernet cable

You know, a company doesn't have to provide every option INCLUDED WITH THE SYSTEM for gamer's. That's why you can option(!!!)ally buy the dongle.

That's why a system comes with 1 controller, because you can option(!!!)ally buy extras.

...

WuTangTurtleMarch 08, 2006

again i think Ian is more right than all of you guys. The best thing would be to have everyone covered and really simplify it for everyone by having all the options available. A lot of people still have wired connections in their homes, and to switch from wired to wifi is a big leap. Think about it you have to buy the wifi router and wifi cards (1 for each pc), thats a lot of money. Not to mention you need to buy a compatible router (certain routers don't work for the DS).

But like Ian pointed out Nintendo is probably going to decide based on price for themselves. For example how much it cost to have ethernet slot versus not having it, and potential use from owners.

Everyone should just be glad Nintendo is offering online games for free or online games at all.

IceColdMarch 08, 2006

Quote
Maybe the dongle will be in stores around Rev launch time

I believe NOA said when MP:H comes out, it will be available in the US. Ian's right; Nintendo of Canada deserves praise for having it and Electroplankton in stores when they came out..

TheYoungerPlumberMichael Cole, Associate EditorMarch 08, 2006

Um no, you don't need to buy wifi cards for every computer when switching to WiFi. Wireless routers all have wired ports, and you can go wireless via an Access Point instead of a wireless router, which extends your current network.

UncleBobRichard Cook, Guest ContributorMarch 08, 2006

Quote
gain i think Ian is more right than all of you guys. The best thing would be to have everyone covered and really simplify it for everyone by having all the options available. A lot of people still have wired connections in their homes,

All options available? Perhaps every Revolution should come with a 20 Gig Hard Drive, HDTV with 1080 Progressive Scan, each unit comes bundled with RF, A/V, S-Video and Component Cables (and an LCD screen for those without a TV at all), 4 controllers... no, 16 controllers (all packed in), 2 dozen removeable faceplates, a power cord and a battery pack, four GCN controllers, etc., etc...

What other "options" should we pack in?

IceColdMarch 08, 2006

Quote
All options available? Perhaps every Revolution should come with a 20 Gig Hard Drive, HDTV with 1080 Progressive Scan, each unit comes bundled with RF, A/V, S-Video and Component Cables (and an LCD screen for those without a TV at all), 4 controllers... no, 16 controllers (all packed in), 2 dozen removeable faceplates, a power cord and a battery pack, four GCN controllers

...and a $1000 price tag.

ArtimusMarch 08, 2006

Quote
Originally posted by: IceCold
Quote
All options available? Perhaps every Revolution should come with a 20 Gig Hard Drive, HDTV with 1080 Progressive Scan, each unit comes bundled with RF, A/V, S-Video and Component Cables (and an LCD screen for those without a TV at all), 4 controllers... no, 16 controllers (all packed in), 2 dozen removeable faceplates, a power cord and a battery pack, four GCN controllers
...and a $1000 price tag.

Oh come on, $1000 doesn't give anyone any OPTIONS.

There should be 5000 models. The first one should be a $1 base unit for homeless people (the $25 super-base unit includes a power outlet to plug it into). Then there should be one model every $500 or so going all the way up to $250,000,000 dollars. The $250,000,000 one would include a personal slave to press the power button, just in case you don't like using the remote for that. It would also include a full-sized cinema complete with 500" LCD TV to play your games on (and a popcorn stand, for when you use the built in Vinyl/VHS/CD/Beta-Max/8-track/Cassette Tape/LaserDisc/DVD/Blu-Ray/HDDVD/Holographic player). Then, just for the super rich, there should be a $1,000,000,000,000,000 version which includes a nuclear war head just in case the Ruskies attack and you need to defend yourself. And, last of all, a $1,000,000,000,000,001 version which includes an auto-launch feature so you don't have to stop playing Kirby Air Ride 2 and save yourself from the atomic holocaust. (A $1,000,000,000,000,002 version will be available six months after launch with a built in safety mechanism so the nuke doesn't launch at birds.)

Anything less than that and Nintendo is a FAILURE.

Infernal MonkeyMarch 08, 2006

Quote
Originally posted by: Ian Sane

They've never been very clear on it but all they ever talk about is wi-fi in regards to any online play. The Rev from what we've seen has no ethernet port. The general assumption from Nintendo's comments is that the Rev is wi-fi only and you either need a wireless internet connection or you have to buy the dongle from Nintendo. In other words people have to jump through hoops to get their Rev online and that hurts the ease-of-use which is crucial for the Rev's online setup to take off.

No it doesn't. Do you even read your posts. Oh wait, of course you don't. You're;

*Catchy theme song*

KDR_11kMarch 09, 2006

I want an option for the Rev to look like a Rev-tan! Nintendo sucks because they don't offer any!

Smash_BrotherMarch 10, 2006

Wireless routers are SUPERULTRAMEGA DIRT CHEAP!!!!!

And unlike HDTV, everyone will DEFINITELY be going to wireless.

Wireless = not needing to pay a large, hairy greaseball like me to run wires all over your home or office.

Wireless = less work, less money, same if not faster networking.

Wireless is the future.

RiskyChrisMarch 10, 2006

Jesus those routers are cheap. I'm going to pick one up for the family when I come home this spring break.

WuTangTurtleMarch 12, 2006

Quote
All options available? Perhaps every Revolution should come with a 20 Gig Hard Drive, HDTV with 1080 Progressive Scan, each unit comes bundled with RF, A/V, S-Video and Component Cables (and an LCD screen for those without a TV at all), 4 controllers... no, 16 controllers (all packed in), 2 dozen removeable faceplates, a power cord and a battery pack, four GCN controllers, etc., etc...

What other "options" should we pack in?

How about a personal server, a personal remote satellite system with launch kit, an imax screen cables and screen included, personal sweatshop for custom faceplate construction on demand, and safe and friendly power plant specifically tending to your Rev in case of blackouts!

A man can dream......a man can dream.......

NinGurl69 *hugglesMarch 12, 2006

TheYoungerPlumberMichael Cole, Associate EditorMarch 12, 2006

I don't personally mind asking people to switch to wifi in theory. The problem is, WiFi isn't a reliable enough technology. Some have wifi routers the SHOULD work with the DS, but they don't. Or sometimes it is intermittent. If I must play online in fear of being disconnected, I'll wind up not playing it at all.

Smash_BrotherMarch 13, 2006

There are sweeping wifi upgrades being made to work with various wifi capable portables, actually.

Make sure your wifi router has the latest firmware and you should be good to go.

Add to the discussion!