
Wii's Online connectivity
The Wii console is able to connect to the Internet through its built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and through a USB-to-Ethernet adaptor, with both methods allowing players to access the established Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service. Nintendo has stated that the console will implement standard Wi-Fi protocols. Wireless encryption by WEP, WPA and WPA2 appear to be supported. Just as for the Nintendo DS, Nintendo originally stated that they will not charge fees for playing via the service and the Friend Code system will control how players connect to one another. This system will also be implemented for console-based software such as the Wii Message Board, for which a feature is being considered for alerting registered friends for the Wii Message Board about new games that have been purchased.
The service has several features for the console, such as the Virtual Console, WiiConnect24 and the Wii Browser. The Wii console can also communicate and connect with other Wii systems by wireless LAN, enabling local wireless multiplayer on different television sets. Battalion Wars 2 first demonstrated this feature, for non-split screen multiplayer between two or more televisions. Nintendo announced two Wi-Fi enabled games at LGC 2006 in Leipzig: Mario Strikers Charged, and Battalion Wars 2. Although the console features an online mode, Nintendo has not provided the programming tools for 3rd party developers yet, meaning that only first party Wii games will be online, at least in 2006. Nintendo has also stated that it will release an Ethernet Kit for the Wii console, which allows users to connect the console to a standard internet router without wireless support. The console also has the ability to connect to the Internet using the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector.
At E3 2006 Nintendo announced WiiConnect24, a feature that will allow the Wii console to remain connected to the Internet in standby mode. The console only uses the amount of electricity equivalent to that of a miniature lightbulb. Some possible uses of WiiConnect24 that were mentioned include allowing friends to visit a player's village in Animal Crossing and downloading updates for games without having to be actively using the system. It has also been said that it would be possible to download Nintendo DS promotional demos using WiiConnect24 and later transfer them to one's Nintendo DS, similar to a DS Download Station.