Nintendo Opens DS Download Stations
Now there are even more places to get your free DS gaming on, and most of these will dole out demos (and more) too.
Nintendo will grow its free WiFi hotspot network starting this week by opening more than 600 hotspots at stores across the country over the next few months. Most of the new hotspots will act as DS Download Stations, allowing DS owners to download demos, trailers and other goodies for free.
The 500-plus new DS Download Stations will open in branches of GAME, Gamestation, HMV, Toys R US and Smyths Toys in the UK and Ireland. Nintendo will also push the hotspots into some independent retailers.
The DS Download Stations will initially give you demos of puzzlers Polarium and Meteos only, but by May Nintendo plans to roll out downloads for some of its biggest DS games, including Animal Crossing: Wild World, Metroid Prime: Hunters, Professor Kawashima's Brain Training: How Old Is Your Brain?, Pokémon Link and Trauma Centre: Under the Knife. Downloads vary from game demos to in-game content, trailers and more.
The 607 new hotspots, operated by BT Openzone, add to the 7,500 already in place thanks to Nintendo's deal with BT Openzone and The Cloud. These hotspots allow free online DS play in games such as Mario Kart DS and Tony Hawk's American Sk8land.
Alex Wollenschlaeger
Editor, Kikizo Games