Mario Kart DS

Today marks a special day for Nintendo fans, Nintendo's dual screen wonder, the Nintendo DS, finally goes online....well out side the comfort of your own home, through Wayport Nintendo brings you free online play at McDonalds.

Since Nintendo announced online plans for their touch sensitive handheld, they have stressed time and time again through countless interviews and Nintendo Power articles that online hotspots will play an enormous role on the DS's online debut. We were skeptical at first, but it seems Nintendo has done it, free, easy, online play in public locations.

Starting today, you can visit a participating McDonalds near you and take any Wi-Fi compatible DS game online and compete with players around the world free of charge. The following games will be available soon for online play, Tony Hawks American Sk8land available November 15, Animal Crossing Wild World available December 5, and Metroid Prime Hunters available Q1 of 06.

Mario Kart DS is the only Wi-Fi compatible game available now and is retailing for $34.99.

To check if the McDonalds near you is a participating partner, visit http://nintendowifi.com/hotspots/searchHotSpot.do.