Nintendo has this morning announced an ambitious and expansive deal with wireless hotspot providers BT and The Cloud, covering most of the and allowing gamers to enjoy for free when the service begins on November 25th. The Wi-Fi connection will allow DS users in the vicinity of a hotpot to connect and game totally free with DS players across the world. Over 7,500 hotpots will be free, located in places such as "McDonalds restaurants, Coffee Republic coffee houses, Hilton and Ramada Jarvis hotels, Road Chef and Welcome Break service stations, First Great Western railway stations, over 25 student unions and city centre BT Payphones and airports, stadiums and even the British Library and Canary Wharf."

Visiting thecloud.net or btopenzone.com will allow you to do a post-code search and find your nearest hotspots. Alternatively you can connect to Nintendo's network via a wireless access point at home, or the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB adapter, which launches on the 25th too. David Yarnton, General Manager, Nintendo UK beamed: "Nintendo are bringing a significant, groundbreaking deal to the UK. Launching our Wi-Fi service in partnership with two of the UK's leading providers of hotspots is a massive statement of our commitment. Nintendo has revolutionised Wi-Fi video gaming, removing all of the negative aspects whilst retaining the fun and diversity it offers. The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service truly offers the mass market a great opportunity to fully embrace Wi-Fi."

Giving all DS owners ample reason to enjoy a spot of wireless multiplayer fun, Kart DS will also debut on the 25th. Which is nice. The Nintendo network promises to be easy to setup, secure and entirely free (apart from your home broadband subscription where applicable, of course). Ninty are also promising a roll-out of this service with various Wi-Fi partners across the rest of too. Lovely.

By Luke Guttridge