Real Wi-Fi masts may look different

Nintendo has today announced more than 5,000 new Wi-Fi Hotspots available through Europe. After previously confirming an equivalent deal for UK airports, this provides further evidence that Nintendo is serious about its promises to provide online 3DS access at a variety of locations.

This particular deal has been struck with providers free-hotspot.com, and will include a number of prominent restaurant and hotel chains: as before, it's important to update your 3DS to make the connection and avoid any issues. The full details are in the press release below, just be careful with the sauce if you decide to use this in your fast-food outlet of choice.

Nintendo of Europe today announces a new deal with free-hotspot.com, the world's largest multinational network of exclusively free Wi-Fi Hotspots. The partnership will allow Nintendo 3DS™ owners free access to over 5,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across 21 European countries. Your Nintendo 3DS will automatically connect to free-hotspot.com’s network in many of the biggest fast food restaurants and leading hotel chains across Europe including McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Subway, Ibis Hotels and Etap Hotels.

It’s never been simpler to connect your Nintendo 3DS to the internet. Your Nintendo 3DS will automatically search for and connect to the internet via free-hotspot.com’s access points across Europe.

Once connected to the internet, special and exciting content can be received automatically to your Nintendo 3DS system via SpotPass™, even whilst your Nintendo 3DS system is in Sleep Mode. Some of the exclusive content you could receive include unique 3D videos from the Nintendo Video™ service, notifications, extra content for your software and system updates which can all be received without lifting a finger.

When you next have time while waiting to be served or while being checked in at a hotel, why not also browse the Internet for free and check out your favourite websites or even access the Nintendo eShop? Enjoy looking through, downloading and playing the latest Nintendo 3DS Download Software and classic titles from the Nintendo Virtual Console™ – all available from the Nintendo eShop.

Laurent Fischer, Managing Director of European Marketing & PR at Nintendo of Europe says: “With such an extensive European-wide Wi-Fi access network, partnering with free-hotspot.com made absolute sense. The access points are largely located in popular restaurants and hotels – places where Nintendo 3DS owners are likely to want, and to unwind in. We also urge all Nintendo 3DS owners to also take advantage of the latest System Update which has brought an array of new features and enhancements, including 3D video capture .”

Joseph Brunoli, Managing Director of Anacapa Holdings, Ltd., operators of the free-hotspot.com network, added: " Our extensive network of Wi-Fi hotspots across Europe will provide Nintendo 3DS users with a high speed, reliable service to help them make the most of their time while away from home. We are delighted to work with Nintendo and to announce this important partnership.”

For more information on Nintendo 3DS and SpotPass, visit the official Nintendo 3DS website at www.nintendo3ds.co.uk. For information on performing a system update, visit the Support section at support.nintendo.com