When you ask DS Fanboy readers to do something for you, they don't waste much time. This is a valuable lesson I've now learned after putting out a call to you guys to let us know where and when you stumble across one of the many Wi-Fi tendrils of Nintendo's download station network currently spreading across the world. My online persona was buried beneath an avalanche of tips, comments and the usual death threats, but it has now surfaced and is ready to start compiling the information in an epic list that's sure to inspire a major motion picture. This is just the second part of our ongoing quest and I hope to keep adding new locations on a weekly basis.A big, slightly overzealous "thank you" to everyone that contributed to this round. If you don't see your highlighted area in the list, be sure to check back later in the month. A few brave souls have also added some new locations to the Frappr map--quite a feat given that working with that application is about as pleasant as a sturdy kick in the head. The format of this list is probably far from optimal, so please let me know how you'd like me to change it in the future.
Also, the information from readers isn't always exact, but if you see that one Best Buy (or another store) has a download station in your region, chances are decent that others will have too. You'll know you're close to one by either recognizing a small banner and a DS set in wireless mode behind some plastic or experiencing a lightheaded sensation as Wi-Fi beams scramble your brains.
Keep the details (we want street names!), pictures and experiences coming! The full list is but a click away.
North America
- Emeryville, CA: Meteos, Brain Age and the usual suspects are up for grabs at a Best Buy in this area. The download kiosks themselves, however, are not.
- Normal, IL: Prepare to spend an abnormal amount of time in this region's Best Buys sampling the demo delicacies.
- Valparaiso, IN: The download stations in this region offer up demos of Meteos, True Swing Golf, Mario Kart DS, and "some Pokemon game". That must be Pokemon Trozei, since Nintendo wouldn't possiby be so cruel as to offer up demos of Pokemon Dash.
- Louisville, KY: The Best Buy on Shelbyville Rd. in St. Matthews has a download station. The other stores are insanely jealous.
- New York City, NY: A kiosk at the Best Buy on 23rd St and 6th Avenue is reported to be in fine working condition and sporting a cheery disposition.
- Columbus, OH: Best Buy (store #295) got a station featuring demos of Tetris DS, Metroid Prime Hunters, Meteos, Mario Kart DS and Brain Age. Crowded next to a couple of Gamecube controllers, this station is "ghetto-rigged".
- King of Prussia, PA: Check Best Buy over here for pure, unfettered demo access. Since the King of Prussia mall is basically the entire town, it's hard to miss this one.
- Plano, TX: Best Buy. Download station. That sort of thing.
- Lynnwood, WA: The Best Buy here has a download station which, according to employees, "crashes a lot".
- Woodinville, WA: Signified by a poster and a floor mat, a Best Buy Game Crazy store in this region has installed a download station. And there was much rejoicing.
- Appleton, WI: You'll spend about 90 seconds in this Best Buy, waiting for a demo to download to your DS.
- Basingstoke, UK: The Gamestation in this region has a download station which seems to be having some power difficulties--the store doesn't have enough electrical outlets to have it plugged in all the time. Hooking up some extension cords to adjacent stores and leeching power could solve the problem quite easily.
- Brighton, UK: Somebody found a kiosk over here, but they also found that it didn't work. Bummer.
[Thanks again to everyone that contributed!]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-03-2006 @ 5:04PM
Loban said...
Whoa!! Normal, IL is just 45 minutes from me. Too bad I don't have a DS yet.
Reply
4-03-2006 @ 5:21PM
Kevin said...
Nothing in San Diego / LA yet?
Reply
4-03-2006 @ 5:45PM
JodyAnthony said...
The Best Buy in Gurnee, IL has a kiosk as well. I would of added it to the map, but im not going to create a frappr account just for that.
if someone else wants to:
Best Buy
6525 Grand Ave
Gurnee, IL 60031-1643
Reply
4-03-2006 @ 6:07PM
PhoenixGeek said...
I already added the one I found yesterday on the Frappr map, but I'll post it here as well, maybe it can be added to that snazy list up there.
BestBuy
5001 N Big Hollow Rd
Peoria, IL 61615
Brain Age, Tetris DS, Mario Kart, and Metroid Prime Hunters Video.
Reply
4-03-2006 @ 6:14PM
jon becker said...
The Target in Edgewater, NJ has a download station. Works pretty well.
Reply
4-03-2006 @ 6:26PM
joe day said...
Game Crazy
5425 South Padre Island Drive
Corpus Christi, TX 78411
the usual.. brain age, tetris, mariokart, mph, meteos, true swing, pokemon.
Reply
4-03-2006 @ 8:35PM
Ilya said...
Nintendo World
10 Rockefeller Plaza
New York, NY
It is fully functional....works really good. Has some demos and 1 or 2 movies...
I cant believe you guys didnt know they had it.
Reply
4-03-2006 @ 9:52PM
John said...
It's so cool the people at Game Crazy showed me what it is and it's just a DS with the demo cart inside with the ds set on download play. It comes with demos of Pokemon Trozei, Mario Kart, Meteos, Brain Age, True Swing Golf, Tetris, and a video of metroid prime hunters. It does take a minute or two but it's worth it.
Reply
4-04-2006 @ 8:49AM
Brad Root said...
All the Best Buys in my area have the download stations. I live around Los Angeles, CA
Reply
4-04-2006 @ 11:44AM
Brad said...
I was visiting the Best Buy in Springfield, OH (1709 N Bechtle Ave, Springfield, OH 45504-1569) and happened to have my DS on me. So I thought I'd look for a DS Wi-Fi Kiosk. Sadly, I couldn't find one so I went on my way.
After leaving the store, while in the car my friend asked me how the DS Kiosk was. Apparently I had completely missed it somehow. He'd seen one in there. I wanted to turn right around and fix my mistake, but sadly it was not to be.
Reply
4-04-2006 @ 4:03PM
Will said...
The Best Buy in San Francisco, CA (Store #187) has one. The Best Buy in Colma, CA also has one. The one in Colma is located way in back of the aisle and parallel to the mobile aisle. In the San Francisco store, its right across from the Mobile Dept.
Reply
4-04-2006 @ 5:24PM
Gene said...
Game Crazy 44730 lebanon road hermitage tn has one i installed it my self with the usual brain age, tetris, mariokart, mph, meteos, true swing, pokemon.
Reply
4-09-2006 @ 1:21AM
ElChibo said...
Best Buy
Mays Landing, NJ
I also have a full review of the service (with pics) on my website/blog. www.followingrevolution.com. just go to the DS section and it will be somewhere in there
Reply
4-09-2006 @ 1:47PM
Evan said...
Best Buy - Mall of Georgia
3205 Woodward Crossing Blvd
Buford, GA 30519
The download station is in the back with the gamecube demo station (you know the spot, where you play the games). It's not a kiosk but you can get the wifi there.
Reply
4-09-2006 @ 2:16PM
The_Wind_Waker8 said...
The Game Crazy near my house has a Download Station.
3478 Research Prkwy
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
And I'm pretty sure the Best Buy in:
7675 N Academy Blvd
Market At Chapel Hill
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
also has a Download Station.
Reply
4-10-2006 @ 4:10PM
Robert Baldwin said...
The Target @ 1940 Mt. Zion Rd in Morrow, GA now has downloadable demos, just stand relatively near the Gamecube display(it worked from as far away as the camera counter though) and select the download option on your DS at start up.
Helped hook it up today when the Nintendo rep came in.
Reply
4-18-2006 @ 1:25AM
Alex said...
Gamespot
5900 E Spring St, Long Beach, CA
Spring and Los Coyotes Diagonal
Reply