Over in Japan, playing your favourite games over free wireless connections is as easy as walking into your local fast food establishment, with sign-posted Nintendo hotspots appearing in most MacDonalds restaurants in Tokyo.

There have been similar deals in the UK, and with the 3DS, Nintendo is looking to bring wireless online gaming hotspots to even more locations.

Through a deal with Boingo Wireless, players will soon be able to play online at major UK airports for free.

Hot stuff

Airports included in the program include London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted as well as Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

Connecting to the Boingo hotspots will be done automatically on your 3DS device, with access to the 3DS SpotPass functions and web browser.

"Boingo is an excellent partner for Nintendo 3DS owners in the United Kingdom due to an extensive airport WiFi network," said Dawn Paine, assistant GM and director of marketing at Nintendo UK.

"This partnership announcement comes at a great time for Nintendo 3DS owners, as the latest system update has brought in an array of new features and enhancements including 3D video capture."

Colby Goff, senior veep of strategy and business development at Boingo, added that "Nintendo is a tremendous addition to our list of strategic partners in the UK."

"Our networks will provide Nintendo 3DS users with seamless connectivity and fast, reliable service to help them make the most of their travel downtime."