When it comes to playing games across the net with people around the world, PC gamers have been doing it for years. Now that console gaming systems have become quite popular, they’re now starting to boost the experience with their console by allowing players to play online through their console. It std with the Dreamcast and the built-in 56k dial-up modem that allowed players to experience such games as NFL 2k1, Unreal Tournament, and my personal favorite Phantasy Star Online v.2. Now that more technology has been laid out in front of us, Xbox and PS2 gamers are able to go online with Xbox Live and the Network Adapter, but where’s Nintendo?

Nintendo, Nintendo...where art thou Nintendo?
Like I said in my review on the Broadband Adapter, I am both for and against the stance that Nintendo has taken to face online connectivity with the Gamecube. While Microsoft and Sony have really pushed what they’re doing with Xbox Live and the Network Adapter, Nintendo has taken a route that goes around the fork in the road, or in other words: they’re not doing crap until they know it’s going to work.

It’s really kind of degrading to compare the way Nintendo is handling the online approach to Microsoft and Sony, because really, Nintendo is the giant of games, being a game only company and not a TV, VCR, DVD, etc. entertainment company (Sony), or a guy who buys everything to have the best (Microsoft). Really, nobody knows exactly what Nintendo’s going to do, because they’re full of surprises. This is where my quarrel comes in. I’m not happy about the way Nintendo is handling the online in that they’re trying to sneak into the market, and that there could be so many good games that only Nintendo could make that would totally rule over all other online games. But then again, I’m also glad that Nintendo is “testing the waters” before diving in, because they’re trying to make sure that the online is going to profit them. After what was the Virtual Boy, I don’t blame Nintendo for taking such high precautions in releasing any kind of online plan full force. Nobody knows what those precautions are going to bring Nintendo, because right now it could go both ways - it lifts off and Nintendo’s precautions just helped them get up on their feet, or it fails and the precautions they took paid off.

Installation: Simple as 123, or ABC?
Installing the modem is very simple, so simple that my MOTHER could get this thing up and running in a matter of minutes (she still can’t use her cell phone, I’ve got to show her how to check her voice mail every day - but I still love her). First thing’s first, unplug the system’s power from whatever outlet you’ve got it plugged in, and just to make sure, I unplug the AV cables too. You’re suppose to do this because anytime you’re adding something to the system which has to run into the circuits somehow, you don’t want to fry the circuits when you’re trying to do it.

Now on the bottom of the GC, there is a long expansion bin/bay that will have a cover over it which can be snapped off. Once you’ve uncovered the bin/bay, align the modem so that it will snap comfortably into position and push firmly to make sure it’s in place properly. Once installed, snap the bay cover back into place, turn the GC back over and return it to its proper place, and re-hook the power cord and AV cables back up.

Getting Online: A new meaning to “plug and play”
Although Nintendo’s plan, or stance I should say, is very frustrating to many a person, but to actually get online with the modem is more simple than putting your clothes on. Once you’ve got the modem in place and the GC in its upright position and plugged in, just unplug the phone line from your computer, plug it into the modem which has a port on the side of the GC, and make sure the other end of the cord is plugged into a jack on the wall.

Put the game you want to play in the GC, turn it on, and you’ll go through a very short connection process when you first try to get on where it’ll check the connection, and have you enter your ISP information (username, password, etc.), and after that, you’re online. There’s no setup disc or anything to go through, just plug and go, and you’ll be online in a matter of minutes. Most games will have the option to play online in the main game menu, and everything else should fall into place from there.

MOST ISP’s (Internet Service Provider) support the modem (and Broadband adapter), but I’ve not heard any yet that couldn’t except for a few problems with AOL, but that’s nothing new for them. I will say this however, anybody who uses MSN as their ISP (God bless their souls), you won’t be able to just log-on with your username by itself and your password. You have to have “MSN/*******”, with your username directly after the slash. So for example, say my username is “philjack,” I’d use “MSN/philjack” as my username, because that’s the only way the system can recognize the ISP. I don't know why this is, MSN’s just stupid. After that, just enter your password regularly and you’re fine.

Games: This should be singular...
Currently, there is only ONE game available to be played online, and that is Phantasy Star Online Episodes 1 & 2 which is supported by both the Dial-up (56k) modem and the broadband adapter. PSO is an online RPG (MMORPG) where you can go on quests with up to three other people (there’s 4 total if you count yourself), where you fight against monsters to gain experience and level up. After playing PSO for about an hour or so, you’re going to realize that this is no ordinary game, but it’s kind of a lifestyle.

A lot of people may be sour at Nintendo for only releasing one game, so there’s not much of a motive for people to buy the modem (or broadband adapter), unless they’re major PSO, Sega, or Nintendo fans, so hopefully Nintendo will get the ball rollin’ on the online train.

Future Games: The key to success sits in Miyamoto’s head
If they haven’t already, Nintendo really needs to take a look at what their fan-base is calling for, and if they do, they’ll realize what kind of gold mines they have deep in Nintendo’s offices. The first game that would be amazing online if done right, is a Gameboy style Pokemon game, only in full 3-D. Not the Pokemon Stadium, Pokemon Snap, or other rip-off games, I’m wanting a Gameboy type game where you can traverse very broad lands and cities where you see Pokemon running, flying, etc, and trainers will challenge you (kind of like in the TV series). The cities could be huge and full of people to met, and each one would have a trainer to beat in a gym. You could even find a wide-open space and buy it if you have enough money, and build your own gym, and could recruit other trainers to be in it. Nintendo could even organizes tournaments, and there could be a tournament like Indigo or the Orange League every week or something. Personally, I think that would be a DREAM, as long as Nintendo does it right and doesn’t do anything like, oh...I don’t know, require Pokemon Ruby or Sapphire to even play it?

Other games:
Mario Kart GC
Mario Kart 64 was one of my favorite games on the N64, and next to Goldeneye, was the second most played multi-player game on the system. Now if Nintendo could bring all that back with new features, new weapons, new tracks, more characters, etc., AND make it online, it would surely be classic. There are just so many possibilities for Nintendo, I just hope they use em’ correctly.

Pikmin 2
I’m not really sure how this could work online, but the thought of it sure does sound exhilarating.

Animal Crossing 2
This would be great if Nintendo utilized the possibilities right. You could move to different towns, each town can have like different festivals and stuff, you could be able to write letters to people to come visit you. If you can’t play anymore, you’ll still be online in your town, but you can go into your house and lock the door and leave a message outside for people to know that you’re not available or you’re sleeping or something.

There are other games that would be great online, like others made by 3rd-party developers such as Sega (Super Monkey Ball would be awesome), or Capcom, and any other developers who would like to step-up to the plate. One other game that hasn’t been mentioned by Nintendo that would be perfect online, is Super Smash Bros. Melee. Taking your skills to the net, that would be totally cool.

Lag: Do they jump across the screen like jackrabbits?
One of the major worries about playing games online, is how much slowdown there’s going to be. Usually the dial-up users are going to have crappy connection speeds and will “ruin” the experience for broadband users who pay for good service. Yea we do pay good money for fast service, but there’s nothing to worry about with the Gamecube, even on the 56k modem, there is almost ZERO slowdown in PSO (Phantasy Star Online). The only game that I’d be worried about with the dial-up users, is if Super Smash Bros Melee Online ever came out, then I’m pretty sure that Nintendo would definitely have to make it Broadband only, or else the fighting is going to suck. Or at least, make separate servers for Dial-Up modems and Cable/DSL/T1/T3 users.

One thing that I think is bad about the Xbox, is that they shut out all dial-up users from playing online with their Xbox, and so a lot of people won’t be able to enjoy anything online unless they pay more money for faster service. This is one thing dial-up user won’t have to worry about, because Nintendo is certainly not going to leave anybody out, and if they do the only game that will probably need a Broadband only server would be SSBM, but even then, they might even make separate servers for dial-up users too.

Overall: C’mon Nintendo, you’re giving me a heart attack
The Dial-up modem is perfect for anyone with a dial-up connection, who wants to enjoy the Gamecube online, or if they’re dying for an RPG on Gamecube, or any Sega fans who love PSO such as I. Right now, the modem may not seem like it’s worth anything with only one game out, but just be patient, hopefully Nintendo is going to announce plans soon.

happy gaming


If you have Cable or DSL, read my Broadband Adapter review.

Recommended: Yes