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Game Card Wireless Security Compatibility

Nintendo 3DS

In this article, you'll learn about security compatibility for connecting Nintendo DS, Nintendo DSi and Nintendo 3DS games online.

Note
  • The Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection service, which provides certain online functionality for many Nintendo DS, and Nintendo DSi software titles, has been discontinued.
  • The ability to play games over the Internet depends on the software title. See the instruction manual for the software you are using for more information.

What to do

Security compatibility will depend on the game you are trying to connect online with.

A Nintendo 3DS Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSI Game Card
  1. What type of Game Card are you using?

  2. Nintendo 3DS Game Cards are compatible with WPA security.

    All Nintendo 3DS family online features are compatible with WPA security. The only time you'll encounter a problem connecting to WPA security with your system would be when using the online features of a Nintendo DS game card.

    Nintendo DS Game Cards are not compatible with WPA security. To use the online features of these games, you will need to use WEP security or no security.*

    • Any changes to your network password should be made using a PC connected to your router via an Ethernet cable. This will allow the PC to remain connected after any password settings are changed.
    • After changing your network's wireless password, any wireless devices connected to the network will need to have their password settings updated. If you have additional questions related to this, please refer to your computer or router manufacturer for more information.
    • If you are concerned about the security of using WEP, there are other options to enhance the security of your network.
      • Enable MAC filtering on your network to only allow specific devices to connect. You can find the MAC address of your system from the Internet settings. Please consult your router's operations manual for information on where to enter the MAC address of your system (and any other MAC addresses you'd like to add to the list of allowed devices).
      • Turn your wireless router's broadcast setting to off. This means your network's name will not be shown when other devices search for it; you must know it and enter it exactly into any device you wish to connect to the network. Please consult your router's operations manual for additional information.
    • If you need assistance locating your router's security information click here.
    • If you are playing a Nintendo DSi-enhanced Game Card, it will work with WPA security. To determine if your game is a Nintendo DSi-enhanced title the product code at the bottom of the game card will begin with TWL instead of NTR.

    It will not be compatible with WPA security while being played on a Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite.

    *While Nintendo provides this information for our consumers' use, it is up to each consumer to determine what security needs they have for their own networks, and to decide how best to configure their network settings to meet those needs.

    Nintendo DSi Game Cards are compatible with WPA security.

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