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RUMOUR: Nintendo DS Online Plan Announced Soon?

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26th January 2005, 2:21pm
We all know that the Nintendo DS has Wi-Fi capabilities, but had begun to believe that maybe it just wasn't going to happen. Well, maybe you should think again. Several large sites have reported that Nintendo will be making an announcement regarding the Nintendo DS's online plan very, very soon.

A Nintendo spokesperson commented that "The DS does have online capabilities that Nintendo is exploring, but plans for these capabilities have not been announced yet."

Unofficial sources have claimed that an online service is definitely on the way. You'll reportedly be able play games online, as well as use the service to download and upload statistics and extras. Also, at least two US and Japanese third-party developers have been trialling the DS online. One has apparently managed to get more than 16 systems on a wireless link at one time.

As always, comments like this should be taken with a pinch of salt. It is (or should be) common knowledge that the Nintendo DS was rushed to stores. There are a few niggles about the system that would have been ironed out if a later date had been set. Obviously, with more time developers would have had more titles ready for launch. My guess is that Nintendo had always planned to have online for the DS, but pushed forward its release to get a start on the competition. I imagine that if it had been released a month or two later, online would be available out of the box.

Of course, all of this is unfounded and shouldn't be taken as definite truth. But if the major publications have anything to say about it, we shouldn't have long to wait until we find out a bit more.
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by Nick Schaedel