In two weeks, Nintendo's going to ship what could end up being the two biggest killer apps for its fledgling wireless gaming service: the first-person shooter Metroid Prime Hunters and the ten-player Tetris DS.
Drumming up a bit of early attention for the launch is a press release stating that Nintendo has hit the one-million online player mark just a few months after the Wi-Fi Connection service descended upon the world.
Apparently, the one millionth user was a Japanese player who logged on to Animal Crossing: Wild World, which makes sense given the game's immense popularity (last I checked they were closing in on two million copies sold in Japan alone, which is very rare to see there).
The whole release is below.
More Than 27 Million Connections Have Been Made Around the World
REDMOND, Wash., March 7 /PRNewswire/ – Nintendo's wireless gaming
service has hit an all-time gaming record of 1 million unique users, in less
than four months in operation.
Nintendo(R) Wi-Fi Connection lets Nintendo DS(TM) owners log on cost-free
to compete or interact in a variety of games, from racing in Mario Kart(R) DS
to community-building in Animal Crossing(R): Wild World. The 1 millionth
user was a player in Japan, who logged on to play Animal Crossing: Wild
World.
"Players are embracing our model of a compelling, safe, easy-to-use
wireless gaming service," says Reggie Fils-Aime, Nintendo of America's
executive vice president of sales & marketing. "Those 1 million users
represent more than 27 million game sessions."
On March 20, two new Wi-Fi-enabled games arrive in the Americas to draw
even more players to Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Tetris(R) DS brings a twist
to the addictive classic puzzle game. Up to four players can compete against
friends or strangers, near or far. Tetris DS features multiple modes themed
with retro Nintendo characters and music.
Also launching March 20, Metroid(R) Prime Hunters features competition
using Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, but players get an added bonus: the ability
to chat with one another before and after battles, using VoIP (Voice over
Internet Protocol). Players can use this Metroid chat feature to agree on
match parameters and to relive their battle glories. This riveting
first-person shooter lets players choose from a variety of characters and
weapons, with extensive replay options.
