Nintendo’s Wi-Fi service is scheduled to come online next week, and best of all, it’s free. At launch, this seamless connection to the internet will provide online play for Mario Kart DS and Tony Hawk’s American Sk8land, but expect more WiFi compatible games to come. Of course, playing your Nintendo DS online requires a wireless connection. If you have wireless internet at home, you’re good to go. But, what about everywhere else?

Enter Nintendo’s Wi-Fi USB Adapter. This handy little unit allows you to piggyback on your 802.11b/g connection through your PC (but not your Mac, sorry Apple fans). Simply stick it into your computer’s USB port, install the supplied software, and you’re that much closer to challenging your New Yorker friends, while sitting in your living room in Seattle. The connection requires one last step, and that’s simply granting permission (on your PC) to the DS to use your broadband connection.

Based on initial reviews by IGN.com, the range seems to be around 35 feet before the connection starts to weaken, but it seems to have no trouble getting through firewalls. However, because some commercial hotspots (read: Starbucks) require you to open an Internet Explorer window for an initial login before you can use their wireless connection, the DS cannot connect directly. So, bring your laptop and this USB Adapter with you if you want to play at Starbucks.

The Wi-Fi USB Adapter is currently only available on Nintendo’s website, but should hit retail stores with the arrival of Metroid Prime Hunters.