Today Nintendo announced that the service is going to be free at home games this year. Gamers who bring their DS with them to Safeco will be able to wirelessly log into the Nintendo Fan Network. Features include access to player statistics, scores from other MLB games in progress, current team standings, chat with other fans and the ability to compete in trivia and other mini games. Additionally, fans can watch the in-stadium live broadcast video and use the Nintendo DS touch screen to order ballpark food and beverages delivered right to their seats.

New features are also being prepped for the service as well, though Nintendo was mum about them.

MARINERS AND NINTENDO TEAM UP TO SALUTE FANS

Sept. 15 is Nintendo DS Day at Safeco Field

The Seattle Mariners and Nintendo are thanking fans for helping make the Nintendo Fan Network (NFN) at Safeco Field a success. The first 1,500 Fans who bring their Nintendo DS to the game on Saturday, Sept. 15, when the Mariners take on the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, will be offered free access to the NFN. Additionally, Nintendo will give away 16 limited-edition Nintendo DS Lite systems featuring the Mariners logo and autographed by Mariners players. Good seats for the game, and all remaining Mariners home games, are still available.

The Nintendo Fan Network (NFN) was offered exclusively during the 2007 season at Safeco Field. NFN delivers interactive baseball-related content to subscribers using their Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite portable game systems and accessing an exclusive Wi-Fi network connection. For a fee of $5 per game (or $30 for 10 games), NFN users can access a menu of interactive options including: a live video feed of the game, scores from other MLB games in progress, player stats and team standings, trivia and word search games against other fans and the ability to communicate with other fans via Nintendo Fan Network Messaging.

On Sept. 15, up to 1,500 fans will have free access to NFN, just stop by the kiosks located on Safeco Field's Main Concourse near Sections 143 and 186 to pick up your complimentary NFN day pass. For those who don't already own a Nintendo DS unit, they are available for purchase at the same kiosks. The cost is $129.99 for the standard Nintendo DS Lite and $139.99 for the Mariners limited-edition, available exclusively at Safeco Field.

The Mariners special edition Nintendo DS Lite features the Mariners logo on the front cover. Sixteen of the special units will be autographed by Mariners players and given away at random to fans during the game. Winners will be able to use their Nintendo DS units immediately to access the NFN free of charge.

Nintendo's most popular video game character, Mario, will make a special appearance at Safeco Field on the 15th to meet fans. He will be available for photos at the top of the grand staircase of the Home Plate entrance until game time.

Nintendo DS was introduced in 2004 and has revolutionized handheld game systems. As the world's fastest-selling portable game device, it provides users with a unique game-play experience using features never before offered by any other home console or hand-held game system, including dual screens, controls that utilize both touch and voice, and wireless game play.

I did some documentation at tonight's Mariner game against the Los Angeles Angels where I brought my DS phatty and my Girlfriend Lite along. With both in tow, I decided to try out the Mariner/Seattle exclusive Nintendo Fan Network... NFN allows you to pay in cash at one of the two kiosks and they'll issue you a ticket with a Passcode which is a lot shorter than having to enter in all your credit card and personal information but is totally useless if you want food delivered to your seat... I'd like it noted that they had the option for a Kobe Beef burger for $15 USD. I don't go to enough Mariner games to know whether the Kobe Beef is a normal option or if it was for this game in particular as it was Japan Night and Seattle and Kobe are "sister cities."