Nintendo of Europe has announced today that the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, the company's free online gaming network, has been accessed by users over twenty-million times since it's mid-November launch. In the two and a half months the online service has been available, 850,000 unique users have logged onto the company's network.

Laurent Fischer, Marketing Director, Nintendo of Europe commented: "Our aim is to provide a Wi-Fi service that is simple to use and accessible to everyone. We have over 20,000 free Nintendo Wi-Fi hotspots in place across Europe, ranging from airports, coffee shops, bars and hotels, and already over 850,000 people globally are using our service. We hope to continue to build on this success with the launch of more Nintendo WiFi hotspots and Wi-Fi games throughout the year."

Across Europe, Nintendo has partnered with several wireless companies such as T-Com and The Cloud in an effort to provide users with free, continuous, usage to the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

To access the online gaming service, users simply utilize their existing home wireless network. Additional connection options include the aforementioned free Wi-Fi locations located at restaurants, transit locations, and numerous other outlets. Home users without an existing wireless router can purchase a Nintendo developed Wi-Fi USB dongle for approximately $30. The device then creates a wireless bridge from an existing broadband connection.

Upcoming Wi-Fi equipped titles include the anticipated releases of Metroid Prime Hunters and Tetris DS with additional third party support from Ubisoft's Lost Magic.