Need to know a couple of things for Wi-Fi

ok, I want to buy MKDS, but i need to know stuff first,.

i dont have a wireless router.

When I go to the store tomoro, what do i need?

wireless router
wireless card
MKDS
do i really have to buy a card?

You shouldn't have to buy a card if you buy the USB thing instead

This post has been edited by Xgoff on Nov 22 2005, 09:28 PM

yes but my parents are paranoid about buying stuff online

Ok to play Mario Kart online you need one of the following set-ups:


Hotspot Connection
- A DS, the game
- a nearby hotspot
===Simply go into your local coffee shop, McDonalds, university or what have you; and your DS will be able to automatically detect the internet connection and get you online. Some places require a WEP key, a coffee shop might make you buy something to get that key from them; whatever the case, this is a very accessible and easy way to play games on the go. McDonalds will let you get on automatically; you don't need any passwords or anything, simply detect the connection through the game's menus.

Home Connection #1
- A DS, the game
- an internet connection that runs through a router/hub
- a wireless router using WEP encryption
===DS can't go through more secure setups, WEP is not very secure and so your home router should be hooked up with plenty of security functions and passwords to prevent bandwidth theft or compromising your at home network. Input all the information manually through the 3 connections your DS keeps track of.

Home Connection #2
- A DS, the game
- ANY kind of internet connection, even if it's only going to one PC
- the Nintendo WiFi USB dongle
===With this method your internet connection does not have to be truly aware of your DS technically, the USB dongle will pick it up and broadcast all information to your DS from your PC, as well as receive information it sends and report it back to the servers. The dongle itself runsfor about $35, and to my knowledge isn't actually out yet in stores (it might see limited release in like Gamestop though; other "online only" items did)


As far as wireless cards go; you will not need one.

If you're on a broadband connection going through a router anyway and you have a cord running to your computer, you can still use the USB dongle.

If you aren't using a router, but one machine in the house has a USB slot open, it still will not be an issue.

Obviously if you're going somewhere else to play anyhow; you really don't need a wireless card. But the bottom line is; even if you were on a wireless router in your house and didn't have a wireless card, wireless routers still have ports for corded connections, so you're never at a loss to communicate with the DS.

That is to say: THE FACT YOU CAN POST ON MFGG MEANS YOU ARE NOT SCREWED. How is your internet set up at home?

This post has been edited by Nightwing on Nov 22 2005, 10:33 PM

k, thanks, now i have to convince my mom to let me buy MKDS AND a router

WTF?! WHY

You just attach the dongle to whatever PC has the internet hooked up to it, then sit down and play DS within just about anywhere in the house

This post has been edited by Nightwing on Nov 22 2005, 10:30 PM

u mean the USB adapter thing? my parents dont like it when i buy stuff online

Ok, in that case I would get it from a local game dealer; but honestly I think your parents would not mind getting you that for Christmas since it holds infinite potential as a GREAT gift, is relatively cheap and they would rather oversee the transaction anyhow

but they hate the idea of me playing online with "strangers" if she knew i visited MFGG often, she'd freak

BTW: game retailers carry the USB? i doubt it

Most don't but you'll find that things like component video cables and other "online store only" items end up in Gamestop and GameRush/GameCrazy/EB all the time.

Regardless of that fact; you should ask your parents to please take a look at the Nintendo WiFi site, and help them to realize that you don't have to play with strangers, and that also (especially in Mario Kart DS) you can't always communicate with the people you're playing with, nor do they know anything about you besides a user name and a 32x32 avatar. It is -quite- safe, and a much more secure internet experience than you can have anywhere else in gaming.

http://www.nintendowifi.com/consumerservic...Protect_privacy

This post has been edited by Nightwing on Nov 22 2005, 10:40 PM

i'll tell her my "real life friends" have MKDS and want me too(althought they think MK is geeky)

Well you don't have to lie about it, if you say something like this:

"Well Mario Kart online is a little different, you have the option to play people from as far away as Japan, but they can't talk to you or anything, all the communication that takes place is in your name or your character; it's simple fun that's just sort of pick up and play, you connect to the little service, there's no interim chatroom or anything, and you can either choose to play with just your friends, which is pretty much all I'd do; or go out and find new people, they don't learn anything about you and it sounds like even finding the same opponents over and over again would be near impossible"

that might work

Any time I ever told someone to say it; never failed, even with some seriously uptight and paranoid parents, you will be fine my friend; present your case and a slight note on how much fun you'll have with it, and by Dec. 25th at the very latest you'll be online yo

how long does the shipping take?

This post has been edited by Mario Dragmire on Nov 22 2005, 10:54 PM

It'll be $5 (cheapest option) to get it to you in 3-7 business days, after processing time that means it will be to you in no more than 9 days.

So $40 (price of most games eh), for the USB adapter to be delivered to your house, saving everyone a trip to the store; it'll get here quick, and you can play online games while never interrupting everyone else's computer time =)

This post has been edited by Nightwing on Nov 22 2005, 11:00 PM

I have a question on topic:
I live in Europe and NOA doesn't ship outside USA and Canada.
So anyone knows where I can get the USB Adapter in Europe?
I'm especially asking EUROPEANS, because I don't expect US-guys to know it. But if you still know it then tell me please!