Nintendo DS Wi-Fi USB Connector

by Nintendo

Product Features

• System Requirements - PC, Windows XP, Nintendo DS, Wi-Fi compatible DS game, high-speed internet connection.

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000MXMNG4
• Item Weight: 2 pounds
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: January 26, 2007
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (86 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,634 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)

Product Description

The Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector provides a dedicated wireless access point that plugs into the USB port on a PC (Windows XP only). This connector does not plug into the Wii console. Use the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector if you do not have access to a wireless network connection, or are unable to connect your Wii console or Nintendo DS to the internet with your current connection.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

132 of 141 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars *BEWARE* Numerous compatibility problems, October 8, 2007

By 

Ron Cole - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

= Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Nintendo DS Wi-Fi USB Connector (Video Game)

Nintendo's Wi-Fi USB connector is a simple device that turns your PC into a Wi-Fi hub for your Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS to connect to the internet. The installation is quick and the unit just plugs into your computer's USB port. The connection itself seems relatively secure, and is especially nice for PC-novices. The software installation is simple and only takes a few minutes.

Unless it doesn't. Then you're just out of luck.

Nintendo does not offer a lot of support for this device, and if it doesn't work... well, they're sorry, but there's not a lot they can do. At the time of this writing, the device had the following issues:

- It doesn't work with the ZoneAlarm firewall. At all. Period. In order for the device to work, you have to completely uninstall ZoneAlarm (not just turn it off). Other firewalls may also cause problems. There is no planned fix for this.

- At the time of this writing, it doesn't work with Windows Vista. Nintendo may or may not be working on a fix for this.

- The device gets HOT when plugged in. Not just a little warm, but downright uncomfortable to the fingers. I haven't heard of any of them catching on fire, but it is a bit disturbing.

So, if you DO NOT use ZoneAlarm, DO NOT use another firewall, are not disturbed by a warm object sticking out of your computer, and DO use Windows XP, this device will probably work well for you. Otherwise, find an 802.11g-compliant wireless wi-fi router for your PC and hook it up for better results.

Edit (10 Dec 2007): Nintendo has released new software for the Wi-Fi connector. The program is almost twice as big as the previous version, and is supposed to work with Vista. While I can't vouch for the Vista aspect (other reviewers, however, have said they got it to work), I can report that the new version still is not compatible with many firewalls, including ZoneAlarm. Still, the changes make this Nintendo connector a valid option for many gamers that want online play but that couldn't use the device previously - it is definitely a step in the right direction by Nintendo.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wi-Fi For Two, March 12, 2007

By 

Michael Kerner "Michael Kerner" (Brooklyn, New York U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Nintendo DS Wi-Fi USB Connector (Video Game)

These days, everyone has a video game system that has a internet connection. Although it seems to be a must right now, it is very difficult match for those who don't have the wireless connection to the high-speed internet highway, Nintendo has now made it more exciting for gamers who just thought it would be all about the Nintendo DS. The Wi-Fi USB Connector from Nintendo, which worked with the Nintendo DS, now works as a accessory for the Nintendo Wii. You can use this for the DS to play against players from the internet on handheld DS games like Mario Kart DS, Tetris DS, and many other great games. Also, it is now a great tool for Wii owners as well. You can simply use this to download great games for the Wii's virtual console like Super Mario 64, and Bonk's Revenge from the Turbographx 16 classic system. I definitely think this is a great buy more than ever for anyone who owns a Wii and for DS owners too.

Price: B+

Convience: B

Overall: B 1/2+

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars works better than I expected, June 18, 2007

By 

dark capps (NM USA) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Nintendo DS Wi-Fi USB Connector (Video Game)

You should be very pleased with this product. In comparasion to the datel wi-fi max, well, that product may work better for the PSP, but overall the nintendo WiFi usb connector is superior. If you have a nintendo DS this is truely a good product. You intall the software, plug the thing in, and that really is about all you do. you're online after that. yeah, i was surprised too. there's no mess of configuring this or that. the software asks ONE time if you want to connect to a particular DS, you say yes, and that's all there is too it! i am not sure about the overheating issue. i don't want to contradict anybody. nintendo may have recently improved this product because i can have mine on for a few hours and it doesn't get warm. i don't plan on keeping it on for days or nothing. the signal is strong, i live in a trailor but it can still go through two walls to my furthest bedroom (with both doors closed.)i don't have a small trailor, either. i am confident if your wii is close enough it will be an excellent product to use to go online with,too. i did have one issue with this, but even that issue is gone. my firewall wasn't allowing it to connect. this lead to disabling the firewall (mcafee.) then going online. my sollution was to enable the WINDOWS firewall and leave the Mcafee one off. i am not sure but i believe every windows XP comes with a windows firewall. simply go to the control pannel and it's under the security center. there's all sorts of tabs there (actually only three i think) one lets you turn on windows firewall and the second one allows you to grant access to this product. it is very simple even if this sounds difficult. so pick one of these up, i am sure you will be pleased. just don't get it for the PSP or laptops or anything silly like that.