3DS owners are already capable of connecting to free wi-fi hotspots in the UK's major airports, courtesy of a deal between Nintendo and Boingo Wireless.

Now it looks as though getting your wireless online gaming fix with your 3DS will become as easy as stepping into your local fast food outlet.

Nintendo has joined forces with free-hotspot.com in order to provide 3DS owners access to over 5,000 free wi-fi hotspots across 21 European countries.

Get out there

Connecting to these hotspots will be done automatically by your device, so users won't need to worry about configuring any settings.

The hotspots will be available at fast food restaurants and hotel chains such as McDonald's, Burger King, KFC, Subway, Ibis Hotels and Etap Hotels.

"With such an extensive European-wide wi-fi access network, partnering with free-hotspot.com made absolute sense," said Laurent Fischer, Nintendo Europe's MD of marketing and PR.

"The access points are largely located in popular restaurants and hotels - places where Nintendo 3DS owners are likely to want [to go], and to unwind in."

MD of Anacapa Holdings, operator of the free-hotspot.com network, Joseph Brunoli added "Our extensive network of wi-fi hotspots across Europe will provide Nintendo 3DS users with a high speed, reliable service to help them make the most of their time while away from home.

"We are delighted to work with Nintendo and to announce this important partnership."