Nintendo has announced a Wi-Fi router, for use with the DS and the Wii. We, along with the majority of gaming fans, hold out our hands palm upwards, tilt our heads slightly to one side and shrug. “Why?” we ask.

The Wii and the DS handheld both have Wi-Fi already, both of which will work with any existing router. Perhaps the name will give us a clue: “Nintendo WiFi Network Adapter”. Some Nintendo users report difficulty in connecting to their wireless networks, and this box could be intended to hook up to your regular home router and provide a Nintendo-friendly signal. The three-position switch on the back adds credibility to this notion — you can select either Router, Bridge or Auto.

These same perplexed gamers are wondering why the big N’s R&D time has gone into this, rather than a hard drive for the Wii. A strange choice, to be sure, but not unprecedented. Apple has been selling Airport routers for years, and they are pretty much guaranteed to work with a Mac out of the box. For home gamers seeking an easy solution, Nintendo’s ¥5,800 (US$53) box might be just the thing.

Nintendo WiFi Network Adapter is actually a router: [via]