Nintendo UK has announced a partnership with mobile network O2 which will offer free Wi-Fi to handheld 3DS and 3DS XL owners in a number of nationwide hotspots including cafes, restaurants and public areas in London.
Portable players will be able to quickly and easily hook up to a hotspot at their nearest Costa, McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Debenhams, House of Fraser or Toby Carvery branch using the 3DS’ wireless internet connection which will automatically connect. Owners can then enjoy an exciting (but somewhat unsociable) online multiplayer match of games like Mario Kart 7 across the Nintendo Network.
This also allows access to the eShop which is chock-full of downloads, with the chance to test the latest free demos or purchase full games such as the recently re-released digital-only The Legend of Zelda titles, Oracle of Seasons and Oracle of Ages, directly to the handheld. If you wish you can check out some brand new movie trailers on the move or simply update your console to the latest firmware and add on updated content to a game you already own, in the background, while you enjoy a coffee break!
Nintendo UK’s official press releases states “We’re always looking at ways to improve the user experience for Nintendo 3DS owners. This partnership with O2 means that gamers will now have access to all of the unique online features offered by Nintendo Zone in more locations than ever before.”
O2 currently boasts the largest public Wi-Fi coverage in the UK with over 7,000 hotspots reaching six million customers and in addition to the aforementioned chains, London locations which will receive Nintendo Zone access through O2 Wi-Fi coverage will include The O2 Arena, Twickenham, Bluewater, plus Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea boroughs.