DS Wi-Fi test plans announced

Nintendo is asking owners of its DS system to test the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, the service designed to let its handheld gamers access the internet and play multiplayer games against other users.

Participants are being asked to take part in a short survey on its official site, which poses questions about the user's internet connections, before downloading a connection tester that doubles up as an Animal Crossing-themed desktop clock. The aim is to gather information about consumers' home network set-ups so that Nintendo can tailor its Wi-Fi Connection to a wider audience.

The test will continue through September. Nintendo intends to have Mario Kart DS and Animal Crossing DS as lead titles to demonstrate the DS's Wi-Fi capabilities, by the end of the year.