Nintendo 3DS gains free WiFi access

JAPANESE GAMING LEGEND Nintendo has announced a partnership with The Cloud to offer 5,000 free WiFi hotspots to 3DS owners.

Nintendo 3DS console users will be able to connect to any of The Cloud's WiFi networks, which cover shops, pubs and restaurants such as Pizza Express and Eat. The 3D capable console can connect automatically to any The Cloud WiFi hotspot whilst in sleep mode allowing general internet browsing and use of Spotpass which downloads content and notifications. The Cloud WiFi service is available to 3DS users from today.

Dawn Paine, marketing director at Nintendo UK said, "Nintendo 3DS continues to evolve and add new features all the time. The Cloud partnership represents another exciting step that will continue to expand its appeal and encourage owners to take their Nintendo 3DS systems with them wherever they go, offering different and unique experiences everyday."

This announcement is the latest attempt by Nintendo to get consumers on board with the 3DS after the firm recently announced a huge price cut of 40 per cent for the 3D games console in Japan, with a different price discount overseas set to occur soon.

At the moment, the console is available in the UK for £169 from Amazon.co.uk.

In a letter to 3DS fans Nintendo president Satoru Iwata apologised for the dramatic price cut just 6 months after launch, blaming an unnamed situation that "has changed greatly". He also said he understood that early buyers of the device "may feel betrayed", but claimed the move was necessary to ensure "large numbers of users will enjoy the 3DS in the future."

Steve Nicholson, managing director of The Cloud said, "Nintendo is a fantastic addition to our list of strategic partners and site owners who are making the most of Wi-Fi's potential to give their customers a better entertainment experience. If gamers are going to play outside of their home, it's essential they have a fast and reliable internet connection. This is what Wi-Fi offers compared to a technology such as 3G, which struggles to handle really rich, data-hungry video content." µ