Datel LAN Adapter for Nintendo Wii

...talk about it, but my Datel Wii LAN adapter hasn't failed me once. Every single time I've wanted to visit the Shop Channel or play a bit of Mario Strikers Charged Football online, I've been able to, without having a wiimote lodged in my TV screen.

All in all, I highly recommend this product to those of you that want an internet enabled Wii. With many online titles in development for the Wii, and the amazing Shop Channel updated every ... more

Having got very fed up with the unpredictability of the Nintendo USB WiFi adapter, I decided I neeeded a wired internet connection for my Wii. It would be faster, and more reliable than the wireless connecton, which would in turn mean I'd be keeping more of my hair. Put simply, I had to have a wired internet connection for my Wii.

Now I had 2 choices. I could either wait for, potentially, months for Nintendo to release an official Wii LAN Adapter, or I could take a risk and go with a third party, unofficial adapter from Datel. I took the risk, and I have to say, it's one of the best things I've bought for my Wii so far. I usually only ever buy officail gaming products, but in this case, my risk was well worth it.

I bought my adapter from play.com for £14.99 a few months back now. The product came in a small, but descriptive box, and included is the adapter with USB2.0 plug that plugs into the back of your Wii. Also included is a 5foot ethernet cable which connects your Wii adapter to your existing internet connection or DSL modem. All that's needed to do is plug all the bits into the right holes, and your Wii is internet enabled. You'll also find a Manual, filled with screen by screen instructions on how to set up your internet connection on your Wii. Setting up the connection is extremely easy, I had no problems whatsoever, and a connection was established on the first try.

The adapter is made from shiny plastic much like the Wii itself, and doesn't look out of place at all, but it does feel slightly cheap and nasty, and not very durable. Provided it's hidden away from feet's way, it should live for a very long time. It has a blue light which flickers when a connection is being established or when WiiConnect24 (standby connection) is engaged.

When compared to a wireless connection, the wired connection will always be superior. Because the speed of file transfering is much faster than a wireless connection, your Wii's internet connection will be that much more faster, and more importantly, more reliable. The amount of times I 'went ape' because of error connections with the wireless connection... it's best if I not talk about it, but my Datel Wii LAN adapter hasn't failed me once. Every single time I've wanted to visit the Shop Channel or play a bit of Mario Strikers Charged Football online, I've been able to, without having a wiimote lodged in my TV screen.

All in all, I highly recommend this product to those of you that want an internet enabled Wii. With many online titles in development for the Wii, and the amazing Shop Channel updated every week with retro gaming awesomeness, I would most definitely tell you to buy one of these instead of a wireless adapter. The official Wii LAN adapter is now available, but this one is cheaper and does exactly the same as the official one. A top product for any serious Wii fan out there. 

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